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Quanterix(QTRX) - 2021 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP revenue of $30.3 million for Q4 2021, with non-GAAP revenue of $29.3 million, representing a 36% increase year-over-year [53][54] - Full year 2021 revenues reached $110.6 million, with non-GAAP total revenues of $105.3 million, a 53% increase from 2020 [57] - Gross margins improved, with Q4 GAAP gross margin at 53.7%, down from 57.6% in Q4 2020, while non-GAAP gross margin was 53.5%, up approximately 270 basis points from 50.8% [58][59] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Product revenue in Q4 2021 was $23.5 million, a 49% increase year-over-year, with consumables revenue growing 66% to a record $16.8 million [54][55] - The company achieved record consumable growth of 100% in Q4 2021, with 211 instruments placed in the field during the year [22][56] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America showed the strongest growth, driven by breakthrough designations and COVID-related work, leading to increased interest from pharma customers in Alzheimer's drugs [25][26] - The customer base remains balanced between pharma and academic sectors, with a strong position in neuro-related disease categories [26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning leadership, with Masoud Toloue set to take over as CEO, allowing Kevin Hrusovsky to focus on strategic initiatives [8][11] - The collaboration with Eli Lilly is seen as a significant opportunity, with plans to expand into diagnostics and leverage partnerships with pharma companies [9][29] - The company aims to enhance its product offerings in precision health and proteomics, focusing on low-cost, scalable blood-based technologies [17][33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about future growth, citing a strong pipeline and the potential for increased revenue from collaborations and diagnostics [47][48] - Concerns about geopolitical factors, inflation, and potential COVID variants were acknowledged, but the company remains committed to conservative guidance for 2022 [57][48] Other Important Information - The company raised $287 million in 2021, ending the year with nearly $400 million in cash [18] - The company plans to validate LDT for P-tau and NFL for MS in 2022 and initiate an Alzheimer's clinical trial for P-tau181 [49] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance and Revenue Mix - The company provided guidance for 2022, indicating that the Lilly revenue of $11 million is included, and expects accelerator growth to be the fastest [72][78] Question: Strategic Investments - The company plans to be judicious with its cash reserves, focusing on building laboratory capabilities and exploring partnerships rather than immediate acquisitions [81][84] Question: Neurology Landscape Changes - Management noted that the reimbursement landscape for Alzheimer's drugs has raised awareness about the need for less invasive diagnostic methods, which could benefit the company's blood-based approaches [94][96] Question: Future Revenue from Lilly - The relationship with Lilly is viewed as a model for future collaborations, with potential for recurring revenue as the partnership expands [100][103] Question: Balancing Core Business and Diagnostics - The company aims to balance growth in RUO with strategic investments in diagnostics, particularly in neuro, while maintaining a conservative approach to expectations [108][112]