Quanterix Corporation (NASDAQ:QTRX) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

MikeDoyle: Yes. As I think about OpEx, Puneet, I would say that – and I would take out sort of when you look at it, the impairment, we’ve taken two hits to impairment on real estate for the quarters. So, that says, I expect that’s going to be much smaller, if in fact that changes. Ideally the market gets a little better, but we’ve taken the bulk of the hit there. I would say the core expenses, when you look at R&D and SG&A, I would expect them to stay pretty consistent. We’ll have some slight bump up because a normal merit increase that occurs in Q1, but nothing dramatic. And then towards the back half of the year, you may see some increase as we start ramping for double-digit growth. You could see some increase in selling costs. But again, I don’t expect a dramatic bump up. It’s going to be slow and steady for SG&A and R&D.

Puneet Souda: Got it. Okay. And then Masoud, when we look at the Leqembi label, there is obviously biomarker plasma Aβ42 and 40 and p-Tau that are mentioned on the label with the study results. Could you just help us clarify how those tests can be utilized? Now, on the label, it also says that those – both of those plasma biomarkers should be interpreted with caution due to uncertainties in bio analysis. And at least for administering the dose, the presence of amyloid beta pathology is required prior to initiating the treatment. So, it’s not clear the plasma biomarkers are required. So, maybe just help us understand sort of how do you think the plasma biomarkers would be utilized here? Mostly rather they restricted to clinical trials or sort of where they can be potentially used in commercial as well?

Masoud Toloue: Hey, Puneet. Yes. So, to clarify a little bit on that label and the use of the Quanterix biomarkers. First, in addition to 181 GFAP, NfL were also used. The 181 results were most remarkable. And I think that’s kind of highlighted – so that’s why it was highlighted on the label. The key thing is clinical trials, yes, clearly is not just this study, but several other pharma companies are using many of our biomarkers actively in clinical trials. The question, I mean, you’re kind of pointing to is, hey, what’s the next step? And there’s nothing prescriptive on the label. However, I think what’s becoming more and more clear is that in order to scale any sort of therapy for Alzheimer’s, you’re going to need a blood test.

You have to be able to screen the sort of 40 to 55 million people who have the disease and traditional methods of PET scan or a spinal tap just aren’t scalable. And so, I think what you see are the early steps of, okay, let’s get some results in blood so that we can have an aid to a diagnostic, so that we can use blood in addition to the memory test to be able to make a decision whether someone goes to a PET or another more invasive study, and we believe in the future ultimately replaces the invasive study. So, nothing prescriptive on the label that you have to use this or you don’t have to use that. In fact, the only thing that is required is the memory test in that study. But we think it’s a very important first step for the disease.

Puneet Souda: Okay, that’s helpful. And then as we think about sort of the potential readouts through the year, can you just outline, with the number of Alzheimer’s trials ongoing, maybe some MS trials as well, so what we ought to be looking out for in terms of data releases where Quanterix data could be meaningful? Thank you.