ST. LOUIS, May 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stereotaxis (NYSE: STXS), the global leader in innovative robotic technologies for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020.

“Despite the challenges and disruptions inflicted by COVID-19, Stereotaxis continues to support the patients and physicians that rely on its technology, maintain effective operations, rapidly advance strategic innovations, and protect its financial stability,” said David Fischel, Chairman and CEO.

“Our financial performance late in the quarter was impacted by broad-based reductions in procedure volumes as hospitals globally curtailed activity to lessen infection risk, preserve equipment, and focus their resources on battling the pandemic. This impacted revenue from disposables and temporarily disrupted the completion of certain project-specific service activities. Stereotaxis has responded to the disruptions with broad deployment of TeleRobotic support, leveraging proprietary connectivity technology to enable remote clinical and technical support of robotic electrophysiology practices.”

“While the pandemic has slowed progress on multiple Genesis purchase orders we had expected to announce at this time, we continue to see significant interest in Genesis. Over the last three weeks we hosted 51 physicians from 29 hospitals on TeleRobotic visits to remotely view and test drive the Genesis system. Progress on the two Genesis orders previously announced continues without interruption, with installations and revenue recognition expected in early summer.”

“We continue to make progress on strategic innovations and look forward to finalizing the design of Stereotaxis’ advanced robotically-navigated magnetic ablation catheter in the near term. We are delighted with its performance and the feedback provided by expert physicians.”

“We are addressing the financial impact of COVID-19 by reducing expenses in a manner that ensures long-term financial stability, maintains our organizational capabilities, and does not negatively impact our progress. In April we received a $2.2 million forgivable loan from the government’s Paycheck Protection Program.”

2020 First Quarter Financial Results
Revenue for the first quarter of 2020 totaled $5.8 million compared to $7.0 million in the prior year first quarter. This decrease was primarily due to broad based reductions in procedure volumes in Asia throughout the quarter and in the United States and Europe starting the second week of March. Approximately 30% of the reduced revenue was due to temporarily delayed completion of certain service activities due to travel restrictions.

Gross margin for the first quarter was $4.8 million, or 83% of revenue. Operating expenses in the quarter of $6.9 million were 11% lower than the prior year first quarter. The reduction in operating expenses was predominantly driven by timing of R&D projects and pandemic-related reductions in sales and marketing activities, partially offset by increased non-cash general and administrative expenses. Operating loss and net loss in the first quarter were ($2.1) million and ($2.0) million respectively. Negative free cash flow for the first quarter was ($2.2) million, compared to ($1.8) million in the prior year first quarter.

Cash Balance and Liquidity
At March 31, 2020, Stereotaxis had cash and cash equivalents of $28.0 million and no debt.

Forward Looking Expectations
Given the impact of COVID-19, Stereotaxis is suspending its guidance of robust double-digit revenue growth for the year. The uncertain duration and scope of the pandemic makes it difficult at this time to reliably provide an alternative guidance. While indications point towards a gradual return to more normal procedure activity, drawing conclusions from short-term volatile data is imprudent. Stereotaxis continues to experience significant interest in the recently launched Genesis RMN^® System and continues to expect a resurgence of system sales to new and existing hospital customers as the pandemic recedes. In the long-term, increased appreciation and acceptance of TeleRobotic capabilities are expected to accelerate adoption of robotics in interventional medicine.

Conference Call and Webcast
Stereotaxis will host a conference call and webcast today, May 5, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To access the conference call, dial 1-833-423-0423 (US and Canada) or 1-918-922-3067 (International) and give the participant pass code 9794597. Participants are asked to call 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. To access the live and replay webcast, please visit the investor relations section of the Stereotaxis website at www.Stereotaxis.com.

About Stereotaxis
Stereotaxis is the global leader in innovative robotic technologies designed to enhance the treatment of arrhythmias and perform endovascular procedures. Its mission is the discovery, development and delivery of robotic systems, instruments, and information solutions for the interventional laboratory. These innovations help physicians provide unsurpassed patient care with robotic precision and safety, improved lab efficiency and productivity, and enhanced integration of procedural information. The core components of Stereotaxis’ systems have received regulatory clearance in the United States, European Union, Japan, Canada, China, and elsewhere. For more information, please visit www.Stereotaxis.com.

This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe”, "estimate”, "project”, "expect" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to continue to manage expenses and cash burn rate at sustainable levels, continued acceptance of the Company's products in the marketplace, the effect of global economic conditions on the ability and willingness of customers to purchase its systems and the timing of such purchases, competitive factors, changes resulting from healthcare policy in the United States, including changes in government reimbursement of procedures, dependence upon third-party vendors, timing of regulatory approvals, the impact of the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and our response to it, and other risks discussed in the Company's periodic and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release. There can be no assurance that the Company will recognize revenue related to its purchase orders and other commitments in any particular period or at all because some of these purchase orders and other commitments are subject to contingencies that are outside of the Company's control. In addition, these orders and commitments may be revised, modified, delayed or canceled, either by their express terms, as a result of negotiations, or by overall project changes or delays.

Company Contacts:                                                                         
David L. Fischel
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Kimberly R. Peery                                                                             
Chief Financial Officer

314-678-6100
investors@stereotaxis.com

Source: Stereotaxis, Inc.