LONDON and NEW YORK, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Renalytix plc (NASDAQ:RNLX) (LSE: RENX), an artificial intelligence-enabled in vitro diagnostics company, focused on optimizing clinical management of kidney disease to drive improved patient outcomes and advance value-based care, today reported financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2024. The Company made continued progress towards commercial adoption with inclusion of KidneyIntelX in clinical guidelines, issuance of a Medicare coverage draft, performance of new direct to physician sales force, April launch of U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") De Novo authorized kidneyintelX.dkd, and release of new real-world outcomes evidence. Optimization of shareholder value continues with year over year significant expense reductions, completion of equity financing, and the initiation of a strategic sale process. Highlights include: KidneyIntelX included as only biomarker test for prognostic risk assessment in landmark update of international clinical practice guidelines (https://kdigo.org/guidelines/) Medicare Local Coverage Determination draft issued for FDA-authorized kidneyintelX.dkd by Medicare contractor National Government Services (NGS) with final issuance expected in the near term Formal launch of the FDA-authorized kidneyintelX.dkd in April 2024 Customer experience improvements implemented including simplified physician order requisition, increased patient access to national blood draw network, revamped marketing and education materials New primary care sales force completed its first quarter of operations with a 33% quarter over quarter increase in independent primary care physician test order volume during the three months ended March 31, 2024 Appointed Howard Doran to president concurrent with organizational changes to focus to accelerating sales and marketing of FDA-authorized kidneyintelX.dkd test Formal strategic sale process initiated with multiple potential acquirers now in discussions Completed common stock equity financings raising aggregate gross proceeds of $13.5 million (including post-period activity) Continued operating expense reduction with 50% year-over-year reduction in head count and approximately 40% total lower operating costs With FDA and clinical guidelines achieved, process initiated for potential ex-U.S. partners to improve non-dilutive company cash position and expand incremental sales opportunities U.S. government added the FDA-authorized kidneyintelX.dkd to 10-year Government-wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) at a price of $950 per reportable result. The contract covers tests provided by any government healthcare facility Total volume of 806 tests during the quarter, of which 82% were billable Third Quarter 2024 Financial ResultsDuring the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized $0.5 million of revenue, compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was $0.6 million. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were $6.5 million, compared to $11.0 million during the prior year period. Operating cash burn in the fiscal third quarter was $4.9 million, nearly 40% lower than the fiscal second quarter and a 50% reduction from the year ago period. Within operating expenses, research and development expenses were $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by $1.7 million from $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was attributable to a $1.3 million decrease related to external R&D projects and studies with Mount Sinai, Wake Forest and Joslin, a decrease of $0.3 million in compensation and related benefits, and a $0.1 million decrease in other operating expenses. General and administrative expenses were $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreasing by $3.2 million from $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was driven by even further cost cutting measures, which resulted in a $2.6 million decrease in compensation and related benefits, a $0.3 million decrease in other operating expenses, and a $0.3 million decrease in insurance costs. Net loss was $7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared with $12.1 million for the prior year period. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $4.7 million as of March 31, 2024. The Company will host a corresponding conference call and live webcast today to discuss the financial results and key topics including business strategy, partnerships and regulatory and reimbursement processes, at 8:30 a.m. EDT / 1:30 p.m. BST. Conference Call Details:To participate in the live conference call via telephone, please register here. Upon registering, a dial-in number and unique PIN will be provided in order for interested parties to join the conference call. Webcast Registration link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/k57ufszy For further information, please contact: Renalytix plc www.renalytix.com James McCullough, CEO Via Walbrook PR     Stifel (Nominated Adviser, Joint Broker) Tel: 020 7710 7600 Alex Price / Nicholas Moore / Nick Harland / Samira Essebiyea       Investec Bank plc (Joint Broker) Tel: 020 7597 4000 Gary Clarence / Shalin Bhamra       Walbrook PR Limited Tel: 020 7933 8780 or Paul McManus / Alice Woodings Mob: 07980 541 893 / 07407 804 654     CapComm Partners   Peter DeNardo Tel: 415-389-6400 or     About RenalytixRenalytix (NASDAQ:RNLX) (LSE: RENX) is an artificial intelligence enabled in-vitro diagnostics and laboratory services company that is the global founder and leader in the field of bioprognosis™ for kidney health. In late 2023, our kidneyintelX.dkd test was recognized as the first and only FDA-authorized prognostic test to enable early-stage CKD (stages 1-3b) risk assessment for progressive decline in kidney function in T2D patients. By understanding how disease will progress, patients and clinicians can take action earlier to improve outcomes and reduce overall health system costs. For more information, visit www.renalytix.com. Forward-Looking StatementsStatements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: the commercial prospects of KidneyIntelX, including whether KidneyIntelX will be successfully adopted by physicians and distributed and marketed, the rate of testing with KidneyIntelX in health care systems, expectations and timing of announcement of real-world testing evidence, the potential for KidneyIntelX to be approved for additional indications, the Company's expectations regarding the timing and outcome of regulatory and reimbursement decisions, the ability of KidneyIntelX to curtail costs of chronic and end-stage kidney disease, optimize care delivery and improve patient outcomes, the Company's expectations and guidance related to partnerships, testing volumes and revenue for future periods, the Company's expectations regarding the Company's ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its diagnostic products and the Company's ability to operate its business without infringing on the intellectual property rights of others, and the forecast of the Company's cash runway and the implementation and potential for additional financing activities and cost-saving initiatives. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "seeks," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve the plans and objectives disclosed in the forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: that KidneyIntelX is based on novel artificial intelligence technologies that are rapidly evolving and potential acceptance, utility and clinical practice remains uncertain; the Company has only recently commercially launched KidneyIntelX; and risks relating to the impact on the Company's business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises. These and other risks are described more fully in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the "Risk Factors" section of its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on September 28, 2023, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 filed with the SEC on November 14, 2023, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024 and other filings the Company makes with the SEC from time to time. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. RENALYTIX PLCConsolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)     For the Three Months Ended March 31,     For the Nine Months Ended March 31,   (in thousands, except share data)   2024     2023     2024     2023   Revenue   $ 535     $ 724     $ 1,703     $ 2,885   Cost of revenue     601       603       1,583       2,010   Gross profit (loss)     (66 )     121       120       875   Operating expenses:                         Research and development     2,216       3,943       8,228       11,026   General and administrative     3,854       7,095       15,252       22,155   Impairment loss on property, equipment and other long-lived assets     417       —       723       —   Performance of contract liability to affiliate     —       —       —       (19 ) Total operating expenses     6,487       11,038       24,203       33,162   Loss from operations     (6,553 )     (10,917 )     (24,083 )     (32,287 )                           Equity in net losses of affiliate     —       —       —       (9 ) Foreign currency gain (loss), net     15       (461 )     215       238   Fair value adjustment to VericiDx investment     40       129       (205 )     (1,070 ) Fair value adjustment to convertible notes     (1,196 )     (1,168 )     (2,517