Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported $166 million in revenue for Q4 2025, representing a 1% increase year-over-year and exceeding the high end of guidance [20][21] - Full-year revenue for 2025 was $599 million, excluding $44 million from patent litigation settlements [6][20] - Gross margin for Q4 was 68%, up from 67% in the prior year, driven by lower inventory write-downs and reduced royalty costs [22] - Operating expenses decreased by 18% in Q4, primarily due to lower legal and personnel costs [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total consumables revenue increased by 6%, with single-cell consumables revenue up 3% and spatial consumables revenue up 14% [21] - Single-cell consumables volumes grew at a double-digit rate each quarter, driven by the adoption of newer, lower-cost products like Flex [7][21] - Spatial consumables revenue growth was driven by strong demand for Xenium, with existing customers increasing utilization [8][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from the Americas declined by 6%, while EMEA and APAC regions grew by 7% and 9%, respectively [22] - The Americas faced challenges due to a subdued academic and government funding environment, while EMEA performed better than expected due to late-quarter orders [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage advancements in AI and biology measurement technologies to drive growth, focusing on large-scale studies and partnerships [12][14] - There is a strategic push into clinical applications, with collaborations to generate clinical evidence and support diagnostic applications [17][51] - The company plans to continue investing in innovation while managing costs effectively to strengthen its financial position [11][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the operating environment remained challenging, with subdued customer spending and ongoing funding uncertainties impacting purchasing decisions [6][19] - Despite these challenges, there is optimism about underlying demand and the potential for growth in 2026, with revenue guidance set at $600 million to $625 million [24][25] - Management expressed confidence in the company's position and the opportunities ahead, particularly in AI-driven projects and translational research [18][56] Other Important Information - The company increased its cash balance by over $100 million year-over-year, reflecting disciplined cost management [11][23] - The launch of the Flex Apex assay is expected to drive significant growth in single-cell applications [9][42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you comment on ordering patterns and expectations for academic and pharma? - Management indicated that the environment remains steady but cautious, with ongoing uncertainty in academic funding impacting customer sentiment [30] Question: How did volume growth and pricing impact single-cell consumables? - Management noted that reaction growth was 22% for the full year, with Q4 seeing over 30% volume growth due to the Flex assay [36] Question: What are the expectations for clinical translational space? - Management is excited about the potential for clinical applications and is pursuing initiatives to generate clinical evidence while also enabling existing customers [51] Question: How is the company addressing competitive dynamics? - Management feels confident in its competitive position, citing continuous innovation and strong customer feedback on products like Xenium [76] Question: What are the plans for cash generation and investment? - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong balance sheet to pursue strategic opportunities and investments in innovation [63]