First Quarter 2020
Significant events during the quarter
Significant events after period-end
CEO´s comments
NeoNavia closer to launch
As planned, NeoDynamics started the year by completing the development of the biopsy system NeoNavia. For the second half of the year, focus will shift to the launch of NeoNavia for use in breast cancer diagnostics.
The outbreak of covid-19 has negatively affected NeoDynamics alike many other companies, mainly by complicating the logistics of production, making visits to hospitals impossible and by delaying our ongoing clinical trials. Despite the prevailing situation, we have a clear advantage of having a very solid launch and sales strategy which is based on long-term contacts with study and reference clinics.
The most obvious consequence of the Corona pandemic is a minor delay in the production of our biopsy needles. We have now rectified this and currently assess that delivery of products will be possible straight after summer. In conjunction with the delay, the development costs have been somewhat higher than expected.
The second consequence is that studies conducted in Europe are delayed since there are fewer breast cancer patients in hospitals as clinics have been forced to prioritize resources and postpone planned studies. We are currently seeing a brightening with for example the British healthcare system, NHS, recently stating that cancer diagnostics and care should reopen at the end of June. The Swedish authorities followed suit with a similar message. An adequate diagnosis early in the course of the disease is commonly believed to save lives. Therefore, the cancer area is a priority when covid-19 closed activities are reopened.
Unlike studies in drug development, our clinical studies with NeoNavia are not necessary for the launch of the product. They are however important for building relationships and demonstrating the company's seriosity, as well as for creating customer knowledge and experience on how NeoNavia can be used in clinical practice.
Work on our US regulatory application is progressing, and the application will be submitted during the fall. As the US launch gets closer, work on the Chinese application is starting to take shape, and an FDA approval is likely to be a door opener with the Chinese regulatory authority.
As earlier mentioned, NeoDynamics is in very active dialogue with many clinics to prepare for the launch of NeoNavia in Europe during the fall. Despite not being able to visit them during the pandemic, we have several reference and training centers in place. These will serve as support for clinics that start using NeoNavia for the first time when the commercial product is launched. These reference clinics are already building up their knowledge about the product through participation in our study program. To become a reference center, they naturally also need our new biopsy system, which is why we initially will prioritize sales and deliveries to these clinics.
The financial position was strengthened during the quarter through a successful share issue raising SEK 45.9 million before issue costs. Since the issue was oversubscribed, the company did not need to call on the underwriters. We also increased the number of shareholders in connection with the share issue, which together with the oversubscription indicates a growing interest in the company.
We continue our work to commercialize the NeoNavia biopsy system and on our long-term objective to improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and other forms of cancer.
CEO Anna Eriksrud