Science 37 Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results


RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., March 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Science 37 Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNCE), (“Science 37”), the industry-leading Metasite™, today reported its financial results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022.

“Fourth quarter results demonstrated a healthy rebound in bookings and continued efficiency and discipline with our cash resources,” stated David Coman, Chief Executive Officer of Science 37. “We remain confident that our strategy positions us well for profitable revenue growth and shareholder value creation ahead.”

Quarterly Financial Highlights

  • Revenue was $15.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, a 22% decrease compared to the same period in 2021.
  • Net bookings were $18.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, a 57.0% decrease compared to the same period in 2021.
  • Gross profit was $3.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2021. Adjusted gross profit(1) was $3.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2021. Gross margin was 22.9% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to 20.7% for the same period in 2021. Adjusted gross margin(1) was 24.5% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to 23.2% for the same period in the prior year.
  • Net loss was $66.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, resulting in loss per share of $0.57, compared to a net loss of $65.1 million in the same period in 2021, or loss per share of $0.60.
  • Long-lived asset impairment was $44.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to $0.0 million for the same period in 2021. The Company remains confident in the utility of long-lived assets and there has been no change as to their intended use.
  • Adjusted net loss(1) was $16.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to an adjusted net loss of $24.4 million in the same period in 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $(11.6) million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to $(21.5) million in the same period in 2021.

Annual Financial Highlights

  • Revenue was $70.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a 18% increase compared to the same period in 2021.
  • Net bookings were $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a 52% decrease compared to the same period in 2021.
  • Gross profit was $15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $17.2 million for the same period in 2021. Adjusted gross profit(1) was $17.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $18.0 million for the same period in 2021. Gross margin was 22.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 28.9% for the same period in 2021. Adjusted gross margin(1) was 25.1% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 30.3% for the same period in the prior year.
  • Net loss was $51.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, resulting in loss per share of $0.44, compared to a net loss of $94.3 million in the same period in 2021, or loss per share of $2.89.
  • Adjusted net loss(1) was $80.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to an adjusted net loss of $52.1 million in the same period in 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $(62.5) million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $(44.1) million in the same period in 2021.
  • Cash and Cash Equivalents as of December 31, 2022 were $108.1 million.

(1) Adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross margin, adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, refer "Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures" section included in this press release.

Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook

Science 37 is providing revenue guidance of $55.0 million to $60.0 million and adjusted EBITDA guidance of $(50.0) million to $(48.0) million for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

The foregoing 2023 Financial Outlook statements represent management's current estimate as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially depending on a number of factors. Investors are urged to read the Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements included in this release. Management does not assume any obligation to update these estimates.

Science 37 has not provided a quantitative reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA guidance to net (income) loss on a forward-looking basis within this press release because the Company is unable, without unreasonable efforts, to provide reconciling information with respect to interest income, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, restructuring costs and change in fair value of the Earn-Out liability, all of which are adjustments to adjusted EBITDA. These items, which could materially affect the computation of forward-looking GAAP net income (loss), are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, some of which are outside of the Science 37’s control.

Webcast and Conference Call Details

Science 37 will host a conference call today, March 6, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 financial results. The call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-269-7751 (toll-free domestic) or 1-201-389-0908 (international) using the conference ID 13736111 or by utilizing the Call me™ feature using this link to request a return call for instant telephone access to the event. The live webcast may be accessed using this link to the investor relations section of the Science 37 website. A replay of the webcast will be available for approximately 90 days.

About Science 37

Science 37 Holdings, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: SNCE) mission is to accelerate clinical research by enabling universal trial access for patients. As a single Metasite™, Science 37 reaches an expanded patient population beyond the traditional site and delivers the recruiting power of up to 20 sites in one with greater patient diversity. Patients gain the flexibility to participate from the comfort of their own home, at their local community provider, or at a traditional site when needed. The Science 37 Metasite is powered by a proprietary technology platform, in addition to in-house investigators, mobile nurses, and remote coordinators that drive uniform study orchestration, enabling greater compliance and high-quality data. To learn more, visit www.science37.com, or email science37@science37.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding Science 37’s anticipated growth and profitability, the products offered by Science 37 and the markets in which it operates and revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for fiscal year 2023. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “can,” “could,” “seek,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the ability to maintain the listing of Science 37’s securities on Nasdaq, (ii) volatility in the price of Science 37’s securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Science 37 operates, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Science 37’s business and changes in its capital structure, and general economic and financial market conditions, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, economic instability, and inflationary conditions, (iii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and to identify and realize additional opportunities, (iv) the risk that Science 37 may never achieve or sustain profitability, (v) the risk that Science 37 will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, (vi) failure to realize anticipated cost savings, and (vii) risks related to the general economic and financial market conditions. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 06, 2023 and in our other documents filed by Science 37 from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Science 37 assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Science 37 does not give any assurance that Science 37 will achieve its expectations.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income (loss). A “non-GAAP financial measure” is generally defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that excludes or includes amounts from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statements of operations, balance sheets, or statements of cash flows of the Company. Please refer to the reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures included in this press release and the accompanying tables contained at the end of this release.

The Company defines adjusted gross profit as gross profit excluding stock-based compensation expense. The Company defines adjusted gross margin as gross margin excluding stock-based compensation expense.

The Company defines adjusted net income (loss) (including adjusted diluted earnings per share) as net income (loss) (including diluted earnings per share) excluding transactions that the Company believes are not representative of its core operations, namely: restructuring and other costs; transaction and integration-related expenses; stock-based compensation expense; impairment losses; other income (expense), net; and gain or loss on extinguishment of debt.

EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, further adjusted to exclude expenses and transactions that the Company believes are not representative of its core operations, namely: restructuring and other costs; transaction and integration-related expenses; stock-based compensation expense; impairment losses; other income (expense), net; and gain or loss on extinguishment of debt.

Each of the non-GAAP measures noted above are used by management and the Board to evaluate the Company's core operating results because they exclude certain items whose fluctuations from period-to-period do not necessarily correspond to changes in the core operations of the business.

Management believes that adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income (loss) are helpful to investors, analysts, and other interested parties because they can assist in providing a more consistent and comparable overview of our operations across our historical periods. In addition, these measures are frequently used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate and assess performance.

Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company's results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. Also, other companies might calculate these measures differently.

This press release also contains certain key performance measures which we use to evaluate our business and results, measure performance, identify trends, formulate plans and make strategic decisions. We believe that the presentation of such metrics is useful to the Company’s investors because they are used to measure and model the performance of companies such as ours. Net bookings represent new business awards, net of contract modifications, contract cancellations, and other adjustments. Net bookings represent the minimum contractual value for the initial planned duration of a contract as of the contract execution date. The minimum fixed fees, upfront implementation fees and technology and support fees are included in net bookings. Estimates of variable revenue for utilization in excess of the contracted amounts is not included in the value of net bookings. Net bookings vary from period to period depending on numerous factors, including customer authorization volume, sales performance and the overall health of the life sciences industry, among others.

Contacts:

INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Steve Halper
LifeSci Advisors
Email: shalper@lifesciadvisors.com

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Grazia Mohren
Science 37
Email: pr@science37.com


SCIENCE 37 HOLDINGS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data) 2022   2021   2022   2021 
Revenue$15,936  $20,376  $70,147  $59,597 
        
Operating expenses:       
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 12,293   16,148   54,278   42,394 
Selling, general and administrative 20,432   35,646   103,254   73,122 
Impairment of long-lived assets 44,079      44,079    
Depreciation and amortization 5,373   2,610   17,942   7,799 
Restructuring costs 2,628      2,628    
Total operating expenses 84,805   54,404   222,181   123,315 
        
Loss from operations (68,869)  (34,028)  (152,034)  (63,718)
        
Other income (expense):       
Interest income 948   1   1,695   3 
Sublease income 102   241   820   685 
Change in fair value of earn-out liability 1,130   (31,300)  98,730   (31,300)
Other income (expense), net 80   (12)  (289)   
Total other income (expense), net 2,260   (31,070)  100,956   (30,612)
Loss before income taxes (66,609)  (65,098)  (51,078)  (94,330)
Income tax (benefit) expense (88)  1   (90)  1 
Net loss$(66,521) $(65,099) $(50,988) $(94,331)
        
Net loss per share       
Basic and diluted$(0.57) $(0.60) $(0.44) $(2.89)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:       
Weighted average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share 116,398   109,101   115,876   32,679 
        
Comprehensive loss       
Net loss$(66,521) $(65,099) $(50,988) $(94,331)
Foreign currency translation 41      193    
Total comprehensive loss$(66,480) $(65,099) $(50,795) $(94,331)


SCIENCE 37 HOLDINGS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 December 31,
(In thousands, except share data) 2022   2021 
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$108,091  $214,601 
Accounts receivable and unbilled services, net 10,992   10,699 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 7,121   7,403 
Total current assets 126,204   232,703 
Property and equipment, net    1,393 
Operating lease right-of-use assets    2,086 
Capitalized software, net    24,290 
Other assets 244   326 
Total assets$126,448  $260,798 
Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$7,206  $12,819 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 11,364   17,073 
Deferred revenue 4,606   5,130 
Total current liabilities 23,176   35,022 
Non-current liabilities: 
Deferred revenue 3,654   2,478 
Operating lease liabilities 716   1,322 
Other long-term liabilities 1,346   1,477 
Long-term earn-out liability 170   98,900 
Total liabilities 29,062   139,199 
    
Redeemable convertible preferred stock:   
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 2021     
Stockholders’ equity: 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized, 116,432,029 and 114,991,026 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively 12   11 
Additional paid-in capital 350,247   323,666 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 193    
Accumulated deficit (253,066)  (202,078)
Total stockholders’ equity 97,386   121,599 
Total liabilities, preferred stock and stockholders’ equity$126,448  $260,798 


SCIENCE 37 HOLDINGS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands) 2022   2021 
Cash flows from operating activities: 
Net loss$        (50,988) $        (94,331)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: 
Depreciation and amortization 17,942   7,799 
Non-cash lease expense related to operating lease right-of-use assets 1,034   1,429 
Stock-based compensation 24,562   8,407 
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of earn-out liability (98,730)  31,300 
Loss on long-lived asset impairment 44,079    
Gain on foreign currency exchange rates (372)   
Provision for doubtful accounts 529   269 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets    10 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable and unbilled services (821)  232 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 282   (6,026)
Other assets 449   (142)
Accounts payable (6,778)  5,243 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (6,545)  7,158 
Deferred revenue 652   2,044 
Operating lease liabilities (606)  (1,112)
Other, net (132)  1,242 
    Net cash used in operating activities (75,443)  (36,478)
Cash flows from investing activities: 
Payments related to capitalized software development costs (31,707)  (19,345)
Purchases of property and equipment (167)  (1,231)
    Net cash used in investing activities (31,874)  (20,576)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
Proceeds from warrant exercises    10 
PIPE shares issuance, net of transaction costs    184,530 
Merger shares issuance, net of transaction costs    52,200 
Proceeds from stock option exercises 610   1,432 
    Net cash provided by financing activities 610   238,172 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (106,510)  181,118 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 214,601   33,483 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$108,091  $214,601 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities   
Balance in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and capitalized stock-based compensation related to capitalized software and fixed asset additions$(3,412) $(4,325)
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities$  $(1,305)
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock$  $(143,086)
Earn-out shares$  $67,600 


SCIENCE 37 HOLDINGS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)

The following table provides reconciliation of adjusted gross profit and adjusted gross margin to gross profit and gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, respectively:

 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands) 2022   2021   2022   2021 
Revenue$15,936  $20,376  $70,147  $59,597 
        
Gross profit$3,643  $4,228  $15,869  $17,203 
Stock-based compensation(1)$262  $499  $1,743  $846 
Adjusted gross profit$3,905  $4,727  $17,612  $18,049 
        
Gross margin 22.9%  20.7%  22.6%  28.9%
Adjusted gross margin 24.5%  23.2%  25.1%  30.3%

The following table provides reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure:

 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands) 2022   2021   2022   2021 
Net loss$(66,521) $(65,099) $(50,988) $(94,331)
Interest income (948)  (1)  (1,695)  (3)
Depreciation and amortization 5,373   2,610   17,942   7,799 
Other (income) expense(2) (1,312)  31,071   (99,261)  30,615 
Stock-based compensation expense 5,138   6,494   24,562   8,407 
Impairment of long-lived assets 44,079      44,079    
Restructuring costs 2,628      2,628    
Transaction related expenses    3,185      3,185 
Franchise taxes 54   241   284   241 
Provision for income taxes (88)  1   (90)  1 
Adjusted EBITDA$(11,597) $(21,498) $(62,539) $(44,086)

(1) Represents the portion of total stock-based compensation recorded within cost of revenues.
(2) For the three months and year ended December 31, 2022, other (income) expense includes a gain of $1.1 million and $98.7 million, respectively, associated with the change in the fair value of the earn-out liability and in each of the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, other (income) expense includes a loss of $31.3 million associated with the change in the fair value of the earn-out liability.

The following table provides reconciliation of adjusted net income (loss) to net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure:

 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands) 2022   2021   2022   2021 
Net loss$(66,521) $(65,099) $(50,988) $(94,331)
Interest income (948)  (1)  (1,695)  (3)
Other (income) expense(1) (1,312)  31,071   (99,261)  30,615 
Stock-based compensation expense 5,138   6,494   24,562   8,407 
Impairment of long-lived assets 44,079      44,079    
Restructuring costs 2,628      2,628    
Transaction related expenses    3,185      3,185 
Adjusted net loss$(16,936) $(24,350) $(80,675) $(52,127)

(1) For the three months and year ended December 31, 2022, other (income) expense includes a gain of $1.1 million and $98.7 million, respectively, associated with the change in the fair value of the earn-out liability and in each of the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, other (income) expense includes a loss of $31.3 million associated with the change in the fair value of the earn-out liability.