UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 14, 2020

 

CO-DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 

Utah   1-38148   46-2609363

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

 

2401 S. Foothill Drive, Suite D, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(801) 438-1036

(Issuer’s telephone number)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   CODX   NASDAQ Capital Market

 

Emerging growth company [X]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

 

 

 

   
   

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On May 14, 2020, Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release reporting the financial results of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2020. A copy of the press release is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Also, on May 14, 2020, the Company held a conference call. A transcript of the call is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

As noted above, the Company held a conference call on May 14, 2020, to discuss the Company’s operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The telephone bridge was not sufficient to allow the call to take place and a transcript of the call is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

A copy of the press release, which contains additional information regarding how to access the conference call and how to listen to a recorded playback of the call, is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. A transcript of the call is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

* * * *

 

The information discussed under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 above, including Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference in any filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

  99.1 Press release of Co-Diagnostics, Inc., dated May 14, 2020.
  99.2 Transcript of conference call of Co-Diagnostics, Inc., dated May 14, 2020.

 

   
   

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

  CO-DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Dwight H. Egan 
  Name: Dwight H. Egan
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: May 15, 2020

 

   

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Co-Diagnostics, Inc. Announces Q1 2020 Results and Provides Mid-Second Quarter Update

 

Company reports robust sales of COVID-19 tests as Co-Diagnostics generates net profit through middle of second quarter

 

Salt Lake City, Utah – May 14, 2020 – Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CODX), a molecular diagnostics company with a unique, patented platform for the development of molecular diagnostic tests, announced today the filing of its operating results for the three-month period ending March 31, 2020, and provided updates on Company developments.

 

Q1 2020 Highlights:

 

  Company commences COVID-19 test sales and reports $1.5 Million of revenue in Q1
  Gross margins of 71.5% on sales of Logix Smart™ COVID-19 test kits
  Raised capital with net proceeds of $18 million
  First US company to receive CE marking for COVID-19 test kit (February 24)

 

Q2 2020 Mid-Quarter Highlights:

 

  Receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization on COVID-19 test kit on April 3, 2020;
  Company manufactures more than 6 million COVID-19 tests to date, and has ordered components for more than 20 million additional tests to fill existing and expected orders in the near future;
  Records COVID-19 test and equipment sales of over $18 Million YTD through mid-second quarter (unaudited);
  Receives COVID-19 test orders from public and private organizations in nearly 50 countries and over 15 states in the U.S.;
  COVID-19 test kit shows 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity in several independent evaluations;

 

“Co-Diagnostics has increased production capacity to meet growing demand for our tests,” said Dwight Egan, Chief Executive Officer. “We have positioned the company to continue to make an important contribution in meeting the enormous demand for tests around the world. Our value proposition of accurate, high-throughput, and cost-effective tests continues to resonate with customers around the globe.”

 

The Company will host an earnings call at 4:30 pm EDT today. Analysts providing coverage for Co-Diagnostics will also be invited participate in a question and answer session. U.S. callers may dial toll free at 1-877-309-2073. International callers can access the call by dialing +1-646-749-3129. The access code to join the call is: 531-241-589. The call will be recorded and later made available on the Company’s website.

 

About Co-Diagnostics, Inc.:

 

Co-Diagnostics, Inc., a Utah corporation, is a molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures and markets a new, state-of-the-art diagnostics technology. The Company’s technology is utilized for tests that are designed using the detection and/or analysis of nucleic acid molecules (DNA or RNA). The Company also uses its proprietary technology to design specific tests to locate genetic markers for use in industries other than infectious disease and license the use of those tests to specific customers.

 

   

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements:

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “will” and similar expressions, or the negative of these words. Such forward-looking statements are based on facts and conditions as they exist at the time such statements are made and predictions as to future facts and conditions. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding the (i) use of funding proceeds, (ii) expansion of product distribution, (iii) acceleration of initiatives in liquid biopsy and SNP detection, (iv) use of the Company’s liquid biopsy tests by laboratories, (v) capital resources and runway needed to advance the Company’s products and markets, (vi) increased sales in the near-term, (vii) flexibility in managing the Company’s balance sheet, (viii) anticipation of business expansion, and (ix) benefits in research and worldwide accessibility of the CoPrimer technology and its cost-saving and scientific advantages. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Readers of this press release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement relating to matters discussed in this press release, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

 

CO – DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

   March 31, 2020   December 31, 2019 
ASSETS:          
Current Assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $17,369,323   $893,138 
Accounts receivables, net   1,055,738    131,382 
Inventory   686,078    197,168 
Prepaid expenses   499,327    362,566 
Total current assets   19,610,466    1,584,254 
Other Assets          
Property and equipment, net   276,454    186,832 
Investment in joint venture   593,421    434,240 
Total other assets   869,875    631,072 
           
Total assets  $20,480,341   $2,215,326 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:          
           
Current Liabilities          
Accounts payable  $132,516   $5,959 
Accrued expenses   496,524    200,788 
Accrued expenses (related party)   120,000    120,000 
Deferred revenue   444,332    1,323 
Total current liabilities   1,193,372    328,070 
Long-term Liabilities, net of current portion          
Accrued expenses-long-term (related party)   120,000    150,000 
Total long-term liabilities, net of current portion   120,000    150,000 
Total liabilities   1,313,372    478,070 
           
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, 0 and 25,600 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively       26 
           
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 27,451,064 and 17,342,922 shares issued and outstanding, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.   27,451    17,343 
Additional paid-in capital   45,172,525    26,687,701 
Accumulated deficit   (26,033,007)   (24,967,814)
Total stockholders’ equity   19,166,969    1,737,256 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $20,480,341   $2,215,326 

 

   

 

 

 

CO – DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

   For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
   2020   2019 
Net sales  $1,548,528   $3,400 
Cost of sales   481,740    452 
Gross profit   1,066,788    2,948 
Operating expenses:          
Sales and marketing   268,483    256,103 
Administrative and general   1,459,484    640,363 
Research and development   400,022    347,306 
Depreciation and amortization   20,748    13,668 
Total operating expenses   2,148,737    1,257,440 
Loss from operations   (1,081,949)   (1,254,492)
Other expense:          
Interest income   7,575    408 
Interest expense       (106,427)
Gain on disposition of assets       850 
Gain (loss) on equity method investment in joint venture   9,181    (8,728)
Total other expense   16,756    (113,897)
Loss before income taxes   (1,065,193)   (1,368,389)
Provision for income taxes        
Net loss  $(1,065,193)  $(1,368,389)
           
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share  $(0.05)  $(0.09)
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   22,820,450    16,066,633 

 

Company Contact: Investor Relations Contact: 
Andrew Benson Keith Pinder
Head of Investor Relations Landon Capital
+1 801-438-1036  +1.404.995.6671
investors@codiagnostics.com kpinder@landoncapital.net

 

   

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

Co-Diagnostics, Inc. Releases Prepared Remarks for First Quarter 2020 Conference Call

 

Salt Lake City, Utah – May 14, 2020 – Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CODX), a molecular diagnostics company with a unique, patented platform for the development of molecular diagnostic tests, releases the prepared remarks for the Q1 2020 conference call scheduled for May 14, 2020. Due to overwhelming participation on the call, the conference call service was unable to accommodate the traffic. In lieu of the call, the following remarks have been provided to update shareholders on recent corporate developments.

 

PREPARED EARNINGS CALL REMARKS

 

Investor Relations:

 

Thank you everyone for joining us today. Before we begin, we would like to inform the listeners that certain statements made by Co-Diagnostics during the course of this call may constitute forward-looking statements. Any statement about Company expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions of future events or performance are forward-looking statements. For example, statements concerning 2020 financial and operational guidance, the development, regulatory clearance, commercialization and features of new products, plans and objectives of management and market trends are all forward-looking statements.

 

The Company believes these statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, these statements are not guarantees of performance and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future result expressed or implied by such statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements are detailed in Co-Diagnostics’ filings with the SEC. Co-Diagnostics assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this call or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

In addition, the Company will discuss certain non-GAAP financial measures during today’s call. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a replacement for, and should be read together with, GAAP results. We refer you to the Company’s earnings release out shortly before this call which contains reconciliation to the non-GAAP financial measures presented to their most comparable GAAP results.

 

Dwight EganChief Executive Officer

 

Thank you, and good afternoon, everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in many ways and this global crisis has demonstrated the importance of diagnostics solutions in treating infectious disease.

 

Our patented CoPrimer™ platform is designed to rapidly generate unique testing solutions, aiding in patient treatment by providing reliable, actionable results, especially in times of crisis as seen in our response to the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 has highlighted the overall importance of molecular diagnostics and the critical role that our CoPrimer platform plays in fighting infectious disease.

 

   
   

 

 

The Logix Smart™ COVID-19 test design and underlying technology has become an important part of the fight against the pandemic in many parts of the world, and was the driver of Company revenue in the first quarter. Following FDA emergency use authorization being granted just 3 days into the second quarter, orders for our test expanded even more vigorously. As of the mid-point in the second quarter we have significantly exceeded the second quarter estimates of analysts covering the Company, and we are pleased to announce that we are already solidly profitable for the second quarter based on results to date.

 

All in all, we have received orders from nearly 50 countries and a large number of states in the U.S. We have increased our capacity for production with our Salt Lake City facility, our CoSara joint venture facility in India, and through a third-party manufacturer in the United States. In addition to manufacturing more than 6 million COVID-19 tests to date, we have ordered components for an additional 20,000,000 tests which we will use to fill existing orders, as well as other orders anticipated in the near term.

 

At the present time, timelines for effective coronavirus vaccines and therapeutics remain uncertain. What is widely known is that the need for testing on a mass scale continues to grow, as the U.S. and countries around the world strive to create COVID-safe schools, COVID-safe workspaces, and COVID-safe communities. In the United States for example there are more than 76 million students that need to be in school this fall along with 157 million workers who need to be at work.

 

During the pandemic, Co-Diagnostics’ ability to utilize its patented CoPrimer technology in highly accurate tests has significantly changed the trajectory of our Company. Co-Diagnostics was the first U.S. based company to receive a CE marking for its COVID-19 test, giving us an early entry into the European market as well as other areas of the world that accept CE marking as valid regulatory approval. In addition, being granted the FDA’s emergency use authorization on April 3rd has been critical in fast-tracking the Company’s COVID-19 diagnostic solution.

 

We believe that test performance, combined with competitive pricing and high throughput attributes, makes for a compelling value proposition. Our COVID-19 test has been the subject of several independent studies validating its specificity and sensitivity, which have demonstrated its excellent performance characteristics. Last week, I read with interest a statement regarding our technology and test from Clinical Reference Laboratory, one of the largest privately-held clinical testing laboratories in the U.S., and a customer of Co-Diagnostics. I quote the following from that statement with their permission:

 

“At the foundation of a quality COVID-19 test is the methodology. For the molecular COVID-19 test, CRL’s Molecular Diagnostics team thoroughly investigated numerous technologies that could be leveraged for test design. Ultimately, the Co-Diagnostics Logix Smart Coronavirus COVID-19 RT-PCR assay was selected for the detection of the virus. This reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR assay (RT-qPCR) uses proprietary CoPrimer technology that improves the specificity of the test compared to others. The test targets the RdRp gene of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which has a low mutation rate compared to other regions of the viral genome.”

 

In addition to our technology being utilized by CLIA labs, some of whom are using innovative sample collection methods such as saliva or saliva combined with nasal swabs designed to make testing easier and more accessible, the Company is currently engaged in new test developments designed to address the challenges of the coronavirus as conditions evolve over the coming months and years. Specifically, we have authorized a feasibility study aimed at developing a test using CoPrimers to simultaneously identify both the virus and the antibody associated with a past infection in a single test.

 

   
   

 

 

In anticipation of future testing needs, Co-Diagnostics is developing a multiplex panel to differentiate between the COVID-19 virus and other upper respiratory pathogens. In addition, we have also already designed a test for the D614G mutation which since March has become the most common strain in the United States and worldwide. A recent paper has indicated that the mutation might result in a more transmissive form of the virus and higher viral load in COVID-19 patients. Our current test is still designed to detect SARS-CoV-2 whether the mutation is present or not. However, if research confirms that this is a functional mutation, we will respond quickly with a differentiation test designed to distinguish between strains with and without the mutation. While the new mutation may or may not become necessary to identify, we anticipate being ready with a solution. As we demonstrated in the development of our first COVID-19 test, the Company is capable of rapid test development as we pivot and adapt to the ongoing challenges that will be faced in battling the coronavirus.

 

We are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, but without losing sight of our other important verticals. Beyond COVID-19 testing, other infectious diseases and molecular diagnostic applications are an important area of focus for our company and will be a key driver of revenue growth over the longer term. Our primary initiatives in infectious disease (including Indian CDSCO IVD-cleared tests for TB, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, malaria and HPV, and a CE-marked multiplex for Zika/dengue/chikungunya), along with our AgriBio and mosquito vector products, all provide opportunities for the Company now and in the future. All of these initiatives are now in revenue and we are pleased to see the adoption of our tests and technology in many parts of the world. We believe that our growing network of nearly 50 distributors covering over 80 countries will prove important for future sales.

 

Reed BensonChief Financial Officer

 

I would like to highlight a few financial elements from this earnings release.

 

Overall gross profit for the quarter was $1.07 million. Of the $1.5 million of sales in the first quarter as shown in our report, the vast majority were in the month of March as we scaled up production to fill orders for our COVID-19 test that we received following our CE marking.

 

So far in Q2 we have already seen revenue grow significantly to more than $16.5 million, resulting in year-to-date revenues of over $18 million in test and equipment sales.

 

The cost of sales for our tests kits in the first quarter was approximately 28.5%, which generated margins that we believe would continue through the second quarter.

 

Our operational expenses in our Sales and R&D departments were basically flat year to year. Our G&A expenses were significantly higher at $1.46 million.

 

Loss per share was $0.05, compared to $0.09 in the same quarter last year.

 

Our total liabilities and stockholders’ equity at the end of the first quarter was $20.5 million, compared with $2.2 million at the end of the first quarter of 2019, as a result of capital raising activities in this quarter which yielded net proceeds of approximately $18 million.

 

So far in 2020 we have fully covered all of our operational expenses and increases in raw materials inventory totaling approximately $12 million through cash collections generated from test sales. Our cash position has therefore remained fairly constant throughout the ramp up in the 1st quarter and the beginning of the second.

 

Co-Diagnostics remains debt-free, with a solid balance sheet, and with revenues that have enabled us to achieve year-to-date net profit by May 14, 2020.

 

   
   

 

 

About Co-Diagnostics, Inc.:

 

Co-Diagnostics, Inc., a Utah corporation, is a molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures and markets a new, state-of-the-art diagnostics technology. The Company’s technology is utilized for tests that are designed using the detection and/or analysis of nucleic acid molecules (DNA or RNA). The Company also uses its proprietary technology to design specific tests to locate genetic markers for use in industries other than infectious disease and license the use of those tests to specific customers.

 

Forward-Looking Statements:

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “will” and similar expressions, or the negative of these words. Such forward-looking statements are based on facts and conditions as they exist at the time such statements are made and predictions as to future facts and conditions. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding the (i) use of funding proceeds, (ii) expansion of product distribution, (iii) acceleration of initiatives in liquid biopsy and SNP detection, (iv) use of the Company’s liquid biopsy tests by laboratories, (v) capital resources and runway needed to advance the Company’s products and markets, (vi) increased sales in the near-term, (vii) flexibility in managing the Company’s balance sheet, (viii) anticipation of business expansion, and (ix) benefits in research and worldwide accessibility of the CoPrimer technology and its cost-saving and scientific advantages. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Readers of this press release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement relating to matters discussed in this press release, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

 

Company Contact:

Investor Relations Contact:

Andrew Benson Keith Pinder
Head of Investor Relations Landon Capital
+1 801-438-1036 +1.404.995.6671
investors@codiagnostics.com kpinder@landoncapital.net