By John Vandermosten, CFA
READ THE FULL MDAI RESEARCH REPORT
Spectral AI, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDAI) reported third quarter results on November 6th, 2024. Revenues totaled $8.2 million and the burn trial has completed enrollment while the emergency department burn enrollment continues. The company also received additional funding from the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) to further develop the portable SnapShot M device. In October, Spectral enacted structural changes to streamline the organization and replaced the CEO with an executive management team that will now report directly to the board. Further structural changes include a spin-off of the intellectual property subsidiary. During the conference call, Board Chairman Dr. Michael DiMaio highlighted the near- and medium-term orientation of the company towards the three “Fs”: Finance, Focus and Finish. In the near term, this will be accomplished by wrapping up the burn trial, conducting analysis and training of the algorithm that will be used to guide DeepView’s predictions and an anticipated December 2024 topline announcement.
Third Quarter Financial and Operational Results
Spectral reported third quarter 2024 results in a press release and Form 10-Q filing with the SEC on November 6th. A conference call was held to discuss results with investors following the release. For the quarter ending September 30, 2024 research and development revenues of $8.2 million were recognized. Net loss for 3Q:24 totaled ($1.5) million or ($0.08) per share. For the third quarter of 2024 versus the same prior year period:
➢ Revenues were $8.2 million up 138% from $3.4 million due to an increase in activity related to BARDA and other US government grant revenues. BARDA revenues totaled $7.6 million while other government contracts composed primarily of MTEC funds were $606,000;
➢ Cost of revenue, which can be thought of as research and development expense, totaled $4.5 million, rising 129% from $2.0 million due to higher activity levels related to the BARDA and MTEC contracts. Gross margin improved to 44.9% from 42.8% due to a higher reimbursement rate in the new BARDA contract;
➢ General & Administrative expenses were $4.6 million, down 19% from $5.6 million on higher compensation expense;
➢ Net interest expense was ($8,000) compared to $42,000;
➢ Other expense was ($573,000) vs. ($6.6) million with borrowing related costs dominating this period vs. transaction costs related to listing on the NASDAQ dominating the year ago period;
➢ Income tax was ($37,000) vs. $54,000;
➢ Net loss was ($1.5) million vs. ($10.6) million or ($0.08) and ($0.77) per share, respectively.
As of September 30, 2024, cash totaled $3.7 million. This amount compares to the $4.8 million cash balance held at the end of 2023. Several financing transactions took place year to date including contributions from issuance of common stock and notes offset by repayment of other notes. In the third quarter cash from financing was negative due to the repayment of notes payable. Remaining notes payable are carried on the balance sheet at $6.0 million. After the end of the quarter, the annual interest rate on the notes was reduced to 4% from 8%, the maturity was extended to March 2026 and a conversion feature was added. The company also filed a shelf registration on Form S-3 to raise additional capital.
Spin-Out of Spectral IP
In March 2024, Spectral announced that it had formed an intellectual property (IP) subsidiary to monetize IP in the healthcare space. Shortly after, Spectral IP received a $1 million investment to fund its work which would be led by Erich Spangenberg. The goal of the entity is to raise additional capital and focus on health care IP-related investments and acquisitions. In early November, Spectral announced that it will spin off the IP subsidiary through a trans-action with Sauvegarder Investment Management, Inc. None of Spectral AI’s patents will transfer to the IP entity. Spectral IP will be distributed to its shareholders as stock where it will become a separate publicly traded company.
Burn Trial Progress
On January 11th, 2024, Spectral announced that it began enrollment of its pivotal study to validate DeepView for burn injuries. This study intends to enroll 160 patients in burn centers and 160 patients in emergency departments throughout the US. 25% of the total will be pediatric patients. The study was filed under clinicaltrials.gov under the designator NCT06131203 and is titled Burn Pivotal Study. Its purpose is to validate the algorithm for burn healing assessment for the DeepView device, which will provide burn healing assessment. 16 sites are enrolling patients.
The study is evaluating flame, scald or contact burns that have occurred 72 hours prior to first imaging. The minimum size for consideration is 0.5% of the total surface body area. On the upper end, subjects with burns over 50% of their body area will not be considered. The primary endpoint is to demonstrate that the DeepView AI device’s sensitivity is superior to burn center health care provider assessment, while maintaining non-inferior specificity to burn providers. It will also validate the standalone performance of the algorithm on an independent dataset.
In late August, Spectral announced that it had completed enrollment of the Burn Center portion for the US Burn Pivotal Study and on October 30, the burn pivotal study had completed its assessment of its last patient. At the time of the third quarter earnings call, the trial was undergoing the truthing process. Truthing requires a burn biopsy and an evaluation of the condition of the burn at 21 days. These data are reconciled with the initial DeepView image in order to train the algorithm. Spectral will work iteratively with the FDA to identify important metrics to review which include the Dice coefficient, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Topline results from the trial are expected in December 2024.
The anticipated regulatory pathway will include a De Novo FDA submission for DeepView in the second quarter of 2025, which, if successfully approved, will allow for commercialization of the device in early 2026. Spectral will request consideration of DeepView as a Class II device. 1 After receiving the approval for use in burn centers, Spectral will pursue emergency department approval via the 510(k) pathway. 2
Beyond the binary output provided by the DeepView Burn diagnostic, the device is also able to rapidly and accurately determine burn size. Details of a proof-of-concept module was detailed in an October 3, 2024 press release. In seconds, DeepView Burn can provide the total body surface area (TBSA) of a burn and calculate depth, area and volume helping providers determine the best course forward. This technology is embedded into the DeepView system and can help clinicians improve patient treatment decisions. We believe that this functionality will be part of the FDA submission and be available for clinicians to use to guide their treatment choices.
DeepView SnapShot M
Spectral is developing a portable handheld version of DeepView called SnapShot M. It may incorporate wireless capability. This effort has been supported by funding from multiple government agencies to produce a device that can be used in combat situations for battlefield burn evaluation. The portable device will also be appropriate in other settings including forward deployed military units and mobile emergency units such as ambulances and in home health settings. Other uses for the device may include wound size measurement, with both area and volume parameters generated from a single capture.
The FDA granted DeepView Breakthrough Device Designation (BDD) status in 2018. This classification allows for prioritized reviews and a dedicated line of communication with reviewing members of the FDA. DeepView received the United Kingdom Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark for use in the UK for burn indications in February 2024. Spectral expects to receive the required UKCA certificates later this year and should recognize first sales shortly after. The company is further pursuing the CE Mark in the EU but it will also require clearance from the EMA before marketing approval. Further support of the device came from additional funding from another Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) award of $850,000 bringing total government funding for the portable device to over $7.0 million.
Milestones
➢ Enrollment begins for DeepView burn pivotal validation study – January 2024
➢ Defense Health Agency contract for development of handheld DeepView system – March 2024
➢ Note and convertible investment of $12.5 million in Spectral – March 2024
➢ MDAI to join Russell Microcap Index – July 2024
➢ Pivotal burn study over half enrolled – June 2024
➢ Pediatric enrollment target achieved in burn pivotal study and trial site expansion – July 2024
➢ Collaboration with PolyNovo for DeepView in Australia – July 2024
➢ Participation in Military Health System Research Symposium – August 2024
➢ Presentation by Dr. Jeffrey Carter at BBA/ISBI Joint Conference – August 21, 2024
➢ Completion of burn center enrollment – August 2024
➢ Burn Center Enrollment Completion – September 2024
➢ Participation in HC Wainwright & Lake Street conferences – September 2024
➢ Management restructuring – October 2024
➢ DeepView Burn Study Topline – December 2024
➢ Deployment of DeepView System in UK – 2025
➢ FDA 510(k) submission of DeepView for clearance in burn – 1H:25
➢ Emergency Department Enrollment Completion – April 2025
➢ Spin out of Spectral IP – 2025
➢ Launch of DeepView in US Burn Centers – 2026
➢ Launch of DeepView in US Emergency Departments (Burn) – 2026/2027
➢ Launch of DeepView for Diabetic Foot Ulcer – 2026/2027
➢ DeepView SnapShot M Launch for Military Use – 2027
Summary
Spectral provided its third quarter financial update sharing its steady progress with the burn trial and anticipated FDA submission next year. It was an eventful period since the second quarter update with completion of enrollment in the Burn Center Pivotal Study, attendance at several scientific and investor conferences, the receipt of additional MTEC funding and a change in the management ranks. Several future milestones were also announced including an anticipated spin of the IP subsidiary, December topline announcement and submission of the new drug application next year. In the meantime, the company is focused on developing and reviewing the data while it undergoes the truthing process for training the algorithm. We continue to see Spectral AI as being on track with its goals to obtain approval for the DeepView device. We maintain our valuation of $5.00 per share.
SUBSCRIBE TO ZACKS SMALL CAP RESEARCH to receive our articles and reports emailed directly to you each morning. Please visit our website for additional information on Zacks SCR.
DISCLOSURE: Zacks SCR has received compensation from the issuer directly, from an investment manager, or from an investor relations consulting firm, engaged by the issuer, for providing research coverage for a period of no less than one year. Research articles, as seen here, are part of the service Zacks SCR provides and Zacks SCR receives quarterly payments totaling a maximum fee of up to $40,000 annually for these services provided to or regarding the issuer. Full Disclaimer HERE.
____________________________________________________________________________________
1. Class II medical devices require greater regulatory controls than Class I devices to ensure safety and effectiveness but are typically less risky than Class III devices. The FDA classifies medical devices based on the level of control necessary to provide a reasonable assurance of the device’s safety and effectiveness. Class II medical devices present moderate risk and can pose a moderate risk to the patient if used incorrectly or malfunction. They require special controls in addition to the general controls required for Class I devices which may include specific labeling requirements, mandatory performance standards and post-market surveillance.
2. The 510(k) pathway is designed for devices that are substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device known as a predicate device. The device must not pose new risks. 510(k) is primarily intended for Class II devices, but some low-risk Class I devices also follow this pathway. The approval process calls for the manufacturer to demonstrate that the device is similar in safety and effectiveness to an already-approved device. Clinical trials are usually not required unless substantial changes are made to the design or use.
