Sanara MedTech Inc. (NASDAQ:SMTI) is a medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing transformative technologies to improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare expenditures in the surgical, chronic wound and skincare markets. The company has demonstrated impressive financial performance, reporting annual revenue of $64,989,841 and an annual net loss of $4,303,197 in its most recent fiscal year. Sanara's annual operating cash flow was -$3,245,556 and its annual free cash flow was -$3,510,802, reflecting the company's current cash flow situation.
In the first quarter of 2024, Sanara generated net revenue of $18.5 million, a 19% increase compared to the same period in the prior year. This growth was primarily driven by increased sales of the company's soft tissue repair products, including its flagship product, CellerateRX. Gross margins for the quarter were approximately 90%, up from 86% in the same period in 2023, reflecting the higher-margin nature of the company's product mix.
Business Overview
Sanara MedTech is a leading provider of innovative surgical, wound and skincare solutions. The company's product portfolio includes a range of soft tissue repair and bone fusion products, as well as antimicrobial wound care and skin protection products. Sanara's comprehensive approach to wound and skin health is designed to deliver better clinical outcomes at a lower overall cost for patients.
In April 2022, Sanara acquired Precision Healing Inc., a company developing a diagnostic imager and lateral flow assay for assessing a patient's wound and skin conditions. This technology is expected to enable better diagnosis and treatment protocols by quantifying biochemical markers to determine the trajectory of a wound's condition. Sanara received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for the Precision Healing diagnostic imager in December 2023 and is currently evaluating regulatory pathways for the lateral flow assay.
Sanara's growth strategy also includes the acquisition of Scendia Biologics, LLC in July 2022. Scendia provides a full line of regenerative and orthobiologic technologies, including TEXAGEN Amniotic Membrane Allograft, BiFORM Bioactive Moldable Matrix, ACTIGEN Verified Inductive Bone Matrix, and ALLOCYTE Advanced Cellular Bone Matrix.
In August 2023, Sanara made a significant acquisition, purchasing the underlying intellectual property and manufacturing rights for its primary product, CellerateRX Surgical Activated Collagen, and HYCOL Hydrolyzed Collagen from Applied Nutritionals, LLC. This strategic move allows the company to have greater control over its supply chain and intellectual property, positioning it for continued growth and innovation.
Comprehensive Value-Based Care Strategy
Sanara's comprehensive approach to wound and skin health includes the development of Tissue Health Plus (THP), a value-based wound care program designed to enable payers to divest wound care spend risk, reduce wound-related hospitalizations, and improve patient quality of life. THP is expected to integrate science and evidence-based medicine protocols to standardize wound prevention and treatment, with a focus on community-based and home-based care coordination.
The THP program is planned to include a virtual patient monitoring, care coordination and navigation center staffed by wound care certified nurse practitioners and registered nurses, as well as a network of third-party providers contracted through managed services agreements. Sanara is seeking a strategic partner to facilitate the commercialization of THP and share in the cost of development.
Financials
Sanara's financial performance in the first quarter of 2024 was strong, with net revenue of $18.5 million, up 19% from the same period in the prior year. This growth was driven by increased sales of the company's soft tissue repair products, including CellerateRX. Gross margins for the quarter were approximately 90%, up from 86% in the same period in 2023, reflecting the higher-margin nature of the company's product mix.
However, the company reported a net loss of $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million in the same period in 2023. The higher net loss was primarily due to increased selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, which rose to $16.2 million from $13.0 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase in SG&A was largely attributable to higher direct sales and marketing expenses, including a $1.6 million increase in sales commissions and $0.6 million in additional costs related to sales force expansion and operational support.
Research and development (R&D) expenses decreased to $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2024 from $1.3 million in the same period in 2023, primarily due to lower costs associated with the Precision Healing diagnostic imager and lateral flow assay.
Liquidity
As of March 31, 2024, Sanara had cash on hand of $2.8 million. In April 2024, the company entered into a $55 million senior secured term loan agreement with CRG Servicing LLC, which was used to repay the company's existing Cadence Bank term loan and provide additional growth and acquisition capital. The CRG loan has a five-year term and bears interest at a rate of 13.25% per annum, with 8.00% payable in cash and 5.25% eligible for deferral.
Risks and Challenges
Sanara's growth strategy, which includes both organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions, carries inherent risks. The company's ability to successfully integrate and realize the anticipated benefits of its acquisitions, such as Precision Healing and Scendia Biologics, will be critical to its long-term success. Additionally, the company's ability to develop and commercialize new products, including the Precision Healing diagnostic imager and lateral flow assay, and to maintain clinical acceptance and adoption of its existing products, will be key drivers of future performance.
The company's comprehensive value-based care strategy, Tissue Health Plus, also carries execution risks. Sanara's ability to secure strategic partnerships and to effectively integrate its technology, care coordination, and provider network capabilities will be crucial to the success of this initiative.
Outlook
Despite these risks, Sanara's management team remains optimistic about the company's long-term prospects. The company's focus on innovative surgical, wound, and skincare solutions, combined with its comprehensive value-based care strategy, positions Sanara as a leader in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. As the company continues to execute on its growth initiatives and strengthen its financial position, it is well-positioned to drive improved clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for patients across the continuum of care.