Echo Therapeutics reports net loss of $3.9M in fourth quarter 2013

Echo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECTE), a medical device company developing its Symphony^® CGM System as a non-invasive, wireless continuous glucose monitoring system, today announced financial results for the year ended December 31, 2013. Echo's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC, will be available by visiting the Investors section of Echo's website at www.echotx.com on March 28, 2014 after the close of the financial markets.

Recent Corporate Highlights:

• In November 2013, Echo completed its multi-center clinical trial of the Symphony CGM System in post-surgical patients in hospital critical care units. Data collected from the study was presented at the International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (ISICEM) in Brussels in March 2014.
• In January 2014, Echo submitted data from the study, along with other additional documentation, to their notified body in a Technical File to support their CE Mark application to potentially obtain marketing approval for the Symphony CGM System in Europe.
• Echo entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with Medical Technologies Innovation Asia (MTIA), Ltd., Hong Kong, for a license arrangement and equity investment in Echo in December 2013. Under the terms of the License, Development and Commercialization Agreement between MTIA and Echo, Echo granted MTIA rights to develop, manufacture, market and distribute Echo's Symphony CGM System on an exclusive basis for the Chinese market, including the Peoples' Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
• As part of a restructuring plan, Echo implemented a number of substantial cost reduction measures that did not diminish its ability to execute on its short-term objectives. As a result of these initiatives, 4th quarter cash usage decreased by approximately 39% from the average quarterly cash usage experienced during the first three quarters of 2013.
• Echo hired Thomas Bishop, an accomplished product development executive, as Vice President of Product Development in January 2014. Mr. Bishop is leading the execution of Echo's product roadmap strategy.

"We made tangible progress during 2013 and we achieved some important milestones, including the clinical validation of the Symphony CGM System," said Robert F. Doman, Echo's Executive Chairman and Interim CEO. "With our experienced management team, along with the cash infusion associated with the MTIA agreement, we can now focus on the continued, accelerated pace of Symphony's development finalization necessary for the European market launch and the FDA regulatory trial."

Fourth Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Echo's net loss for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $3.9 million, or ($0.36) per share, compared to $1.9 million, or ($0.48) per share, for the fourth quarter of 2012. The operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $3.1 million compared to $4.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012.  Research and development expenses were $1.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $2.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Fiscal Year 2013 Financial Results

For fiscal year 2013, the Company was principally involved with the product development and clinical studies of its Symphony CGM System. Echo's net loss for fiscal year 2013 was $19.4 million, or ($2.33) per share, compared to $12.3 million, or ($3.12) per share during 2012.  The operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $19.6 million compared to $15.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Research and development expenses were $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.  The increase in research and development expenses was primarily related to increased engineering and design expenses incurred with outside contractors and personnel relating to Symphony development.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were $8.4 million during 2013 compared to $6.4 million in 2012.   The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased personnel costs, legal costs, and expenses related to prelaunch marketing and manufacturing activities.  Echo reported a cash balance of approximately $8.1 million as of December 31, 2013. 

Conference Call


Management will host a conference call today starting at 9:00 AM ET.  To listen and/or participate in the call, please dial (877) 737-7051 and reference Echo Therapeutics and passcode 2657537 or pre-register for the call at http://bit.ly/1ge4TQk.  The archived audiocast will be available for fourteen days following the call by visiting the Events section of Echo's website at www.echotx.com.                                         

SOURCE Echo Therapeutics, Inc.