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Matthew.Turner


ShockWave Medical's Strong Financial Performance and International Expansion Drive Growth

2023-08-10

ShockWave Medical recently held a conference call to discuss their second quarter 2023 earnings. The company's executives provided an overview of the financial results and highlighted the growth in their peripheral and coronary franchises.

One of the key topics discussed during the meeting was the international expansion of ShockWave Medical's peripheral product, particularly in European countries. The company's executives expressed optimism about the growth potential in the field of vascular surgery.

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Another interesting topic discussed in the meeting was the contribution to growth from international markets, specifically China, Japan, and Germany. The executives mentioned that they anticipate healthy growth in all three markets, with Germany's improved reimbursement situation having a significant impact on revenue growth. While specific growth projections for 2024 were not provided, this discussion provided insights into the company's performance and potential in key international markets.

The market outlook for ShockWave Medical is positive based on their strong financial performance in the second quarter of 2023. The company experienced significant revenue growth, with a 64% increase in peripheral product sales and a 43% increase in coronary product sales compared to the same quarter last year. Gross profit also saw a substantial increase, reaching 155.7 million.

However, operating expenses also increased by 66%, primarily due to sales force expansion, R&D expenses, and administrative expenses related to an acquisition. Despite this, the company does not expect full-year operating expenses to exceed their prior forecast. ShockWave Medical plans to continue making investments to support growth and anticipates a favorable operating margin range.

During the meeting, the company discussed their key drivers of business, which include operating margin improvement, investment in R&D and clinical programs, expansion and increased footprint, investment in a Costa Rica plant, and customer awareness and reimbursement.

ShockWave Medical also shared their plans for their product/service, including the launch of a new product called C2+ in the fourth quarter. This product specifically targets the U.S. coronary business and will be offered at the same price point as their existing product, C2. The company expects this launch to be a potential growth lever for their business. They also emphasized the importance of understanding their model well and gathering data from COSIRA II, which they believe will be necessary for U.S. approval and helpful for driving global adoption. Additionally, they highlighted the strong performance of their international businesses and the expansion of their direct selling organizations in Spain and Canada, as well as Italy going direct in Q4.

The meeting also provided insights into the company's key performance indicators (KPIs). The productivity of the direct selling teams in Europe and the strength of coronary sales in Germany were highlighted as important KPIs. The company also shared detailed information on the revenue generated by different product lines, with peripheral products accounting for 52.3 million of total revenue in the second quarter of 2023, representing a 64% increase compared to the same period in 2022. The coronary products accounted for 125.8 million of total revenue in the second quarter of 2023, showing a 43% increase from the second quarter of 2022. The company also mentioned the revenue from their Reducer product and sales of generators. Gross profit and gross margin for the second quarter of 2023 were reported as 155.7 million.

ShockWave Medical adjusted its outlook for the year, reducing the operating margin due to increased spending on R&D and expansion. However, the company sees this as a smart investment for future growth and aims to regain previous operating margin levels in the coming years. The impact of reimbursement changes and outpatient transition on revenue is not anticipated at this time, and the company remains confident in its top-line.

The company's capital spending plans include increasing investment in research and development (R&D) programs and clinical activities. They are also focused on accelerating activities in Costa Rica to establish a new plant, which is expected to improve their margin in the future. The company has also indicated plans for expansion by increasing their footprint. They are willing to invest as necessary to grow the business in the near and long term, although this may temporarily impact their margin. The company anticipates returning to their previous margin levels in the upper 20s in the future.

The participants of ShockWave Medical's second quarter 2023 earnings conference call included Doug Godshall, President and Chief Executive Officer; Isaac Zacharias, President and Chief Commercial Officer; and Dan Puckett, Chief Financial Officer. These key executives provided insights into the company's financial results and business performance, highlighting solid growth in both the peripheral and coronary franchises. With second-quarter revenues reaching $180.2 million, representing a 49% increase, ShockWave Medical's strong financial performance and growth indicate its success in the medical technology industry. The participation of these executives demonstrates the company's commitment to transparency and investor relations, showcasing their involvement in key decision-making processes and willingness to communicate with shareholders and analysts.

As ShockWave Medical continues to expand its product portfolio and penetrate domestic and international markets, investors and analysts will closely monitor its progress. The company's strong financial performance and strategic initiatives position it for future growth and success in the medical technology sector.