10-Q: Cardio Diagnostics Reports Q2 2025 Results Amidst Revenue Decline

Sentiment:

Quarterly Report


Cardio Diagnostics Holdings, Inc. reported a significant revenue decrease for the six months ended June 30, 2025, alongside a reduced net loss primarily due to lower stock compensation expenses.

Capital raiseThe company sold 206,713 shares of Common Stock for gross proceeds of $3,511,040 under an At-the-Market (ATM) Issuance Sales Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2025.Subsequent to June 30, 2025, the company sold an additional 22,860 common shares for gross proceeds of $103,912 under the ATM Sales Agreement.The company closed a private placement on February 2, 2024, issuing 18,727 units (common stock and warrants) for gross proceeds of $1,000,000.The company has an ongoing need to raise additional cash from outside sources to fund operations and growth.Stockholders will be asked to approve a 'Share Issuance Proposal' at the 2025 annual meeting, allowing for future non-public transactions involving 20% or more of common stock outstanding, providing flexibility for capital raises.
Worse than expectedRevenue for the six months ended June 30, 2025, decreased significantly to $8,415 from $23,798 in the prior year, indicating a substantial decline in sales.Cash used in operating activities increased to $2,971,566 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, from $2,443,450 in the prior year, showing an increased cash burn from core operations.

Summary

  • Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2025, was $8,415, a substantial decrease from $23,798 in the same period of 2024.
  • Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2025, improved to $(3,318,263) from $(5,451,579) in 2024, largely due to a decrease in stock compensation expenses.
  • Basic and diluted net loss per common share improved to $(1.94) for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $(7.49) in 2024.
  • Cash increased slightly to $7,966,500 as of June 30, 2025, from $7,827,487 at December 31, 2024.
  • Cash used in operating activities increased to $(2,971,566) for the six months ended June 30, 2025, from $(2,443,450) in 2024.
  • The company completed a 1-for-30 reverse stock split on May 12, 2025, to regain compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement.
  • Progress was made in the Medicare reimbursement process, receiving preliminary gapfill pricing for Epi+Gen CHD and PrecisionCHD tests.
  • A new employer client was onboarded, and the company is setting up its laboratory facility.

Sentiment

Score: 4

Explanation: The sentiment is moderately negative due to a significant decline in revenue and increased cash burn from operations, despite a reduced net loss (which was largely influenced by lower stock compensation). The company continues to rely heavily on capital raises, indicating ongoing financial challenges, though the favorable LDT regulatory ruling provides some relief.

Positives

  • Net loss significantly decreased by $2,133,316 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower stock compensation expenses.
  • The federal district court vacated the FDA's final rule on March 31, 2025, meaning laboratory developed tests (LDTs) are currently not subject to FDA medical device regulations, which is favorable for the company's products.
  • The company received preliminary gapfill pricing from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for its Epi+Gen CHD and PrecisionCHD tests, indicating progress in reimbursement efforts.
  • Cash balance increased slightly to $7,966,500 as of June 30, 2025, supported by financing activities.
  • Total liabilities decreased to $671,848 as of June 30, 2025, from $1,057,524 at December 31, 2024.

Negatives

  • Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2025, decreased by 64.6% to $8,415 from $23,798 in the prior year, attributed to the conclusion of a testing initiative.
  • Cash used in operating activities increased to $2,971,566 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, indicating a higher cash burn from core operations.
  • Selling, General and Administrative expenses increased by $395,844 for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the prior year, due to increased personnel, legal, R&D, and sales/marketing costs.
  • The company continues to incur losses from operations and generate negative cash flows, necessitating ongoing capital raises.
  • The reverse stock split was implemented to regain Nasdaq compliance, often a sign of underlying stock price weakness.

Risks

  • The company has an ongoing need to raise additional capital, and future equity issuances could lead to significant dilution for existing shareholders, especially at current stock price levels.
  • The exercise prices of outstanding warrants are significantly higher than the current common stock trading price ($3.82 on August 13, 2025), making it unlikely that warrant holders will exercise them, thus limiting potential cash proceeds.
  • Sales and partnership cycles for the company's products are long, in some instances up to 14 months, which can delay revenue generation.
  • A material weakness in internal control over financial reporting exists due to inadequate segregation of duties within the financial reporting process, increasing the risk of errors or unauthorized transactions.
  • The company faces potential claims and disputes from Boustead Securities, LLC, and The Benchmark Company, LLC, regarding alleged unpaid fees and right of first refusal, which could negatively impact financial condition.
  • A plaintiffs securities law firm is seeking a mootness fee related to alleged omissions in a prior S-4 Registration Statement, which could lead to litigation and divert management resources.
  • The regulatory landscape for Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) remains uncertain despite a recent court ruling vacating the FDA's final rule, as future regulatory changes could still impact the business.

Future Outlook

The company expects sales and partnership cycles to remain long. Its ongoing strategy includes developing additional products for stroke, congestive heart failure, and diabetes, expanding clinical and health economics evidence, leveraging CPT PLA codes for reimbursement, and increasing product adoption across health systems and self-insured employers. The company also plans to explore international market opportunities, scale internal operations to improve efficiency and reduce cost of goods sold, and pursue strategic partnerships and acquisitions. General corporate overhead is expected to remain flat, but payroll and facility costs will increase in the second half of 2025 as the company's laboratory becomes operational. The company anticipates relying primarily on its At-the-Market (ATM) Offering for liquidity for the remainder of 2025, contingent on favorable market conditions. Stockholders will vote on a proposal to approve future non-public share issuances of 20% or more of outstanding common stock.

Management Comments

  • Our primary cash needs for the remainder of 2025 and for the foreseeable future will be for funding day-to-day operations and working capital requirements, funding our growth strategy, paying the setup expenses of our internal laboratory and paying expenses incurred in connection with our ongoing FDA submission activities.
  • Given recent stock prices and the extreme volatility of our stock, it continues to be challenging to balance cash that could be raised and the dilution that might be required to close a particular transaction.
  • We expect that for the remainder of 2025, we will rely primarily on the ongoing ATM Offering, provided that market conditions are favorable.
  • Management believes that the financial statements included in this Form 10-Q present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.
  • The Company vigorously denies that the S-4 Registration Statement, as amended and declared effective, is deficient in any respect and that no additional supplemental disclosures are material or required.
  • Cardio believes that the final outcome will not have a material adverse impact on its financial condition (referring to legal disputes).

Industry Context

Cardio Diagnostics operates in the medical technology sector, focusing on AI-driven DNA biomarker testing for cardiovascular disease. A significant industry development is the recent federal district court decision on March 31, 2025, which vacated the FDA's final rule to regulate laboratory developed tests (LDTs). This ruling means LDTs, including the company's Epi+Gen CHD and PrecisionCHD tests, are currently not subject to FDA medical device regulations, which could reduce regulatory burden and costs. However, the long-term regulatory landscape for LDTs remains subject to potential future legislative or judicial actions.

Comparison to Industry Standards

  • The filing does not provide specific comparisons to industry benchmarks or comparable companies' financial results or operational metrics. The company's revenue decline and ongoing net losses suggest it is still in an early commercialization or growth phase, which is common for medical technology startups but contrasts with more established, profitable industry players.

Corporate Governance

Change TypeDescriptionEffective DateImpact Assessment
Reverse Stock SplitThe Board of Directors approved a 1-for-30 reverse stock split, effective May 12, 2025, to regain compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement.May 12, 2025Reduced the number of outstanding common shares from 52,160,487 to 1,738,683 (post-split), with proportionate adjustments to equity incentive plans and awards. Did not modify voting rights or other terms of common stock.

Legal Proceedings

  • Boustead Securities, LLC is contending it is due success fees for two years following the termination of a Placement Agent Agreement, which the company strongly disputes. No legal proceedings have been instigated, and the company believes the outcome will not have a material adverse impact.
  • The Benchmark Company, LLC alleges it is owed damages due to a right of first refusal not being honored for a convertible debenture transaction. The company is evaluating the claim, and no legal proceedings have been instigated.
  • A plaintiffs securities law firm is seeking a mootness fee related to alleged material omissions in a prior S-4 Registration Statement. The company denies the claims and believes no further disclosure is required. No lawsuit has been filed, but the firm has indicated willingness to litigate.

Related Party Transactions

  • The company's Non-Executive Chairman of the Board owns 10% of Altitude Capital Group, LLC, which acted as a placement agent for the Private Placement and received a 10% cash commission ($100,000) and 20% warrant coverage (right to purchase 3,745 shares) in connection with the transaction.

Stakeholder Impact

  • Shareholders face significant dilution risk from ongoing and potential future equity capital raises, especially given current low stock prices and the recent reverse stock split.
  • Employees and management are impacted by the company's ongoing efforts to improve internal controls and address material weaknesses in financial reporting.
  • Customers (provider organizations, employers) may benefit from the company's focus on driving adoption of clinical solutions and progress in Medicare reimbursement.
  • The University of Iowa Research Foundation (UIRF) receives royalties (2% of annual net sales) and potential equity consideration based on the exclusive license agreement for the company's core technology.

Next Steps

  • Develop additional products, including clinical tests for stroke, congestive heart failure, and diabetes.
  • Expand clinical and health economics evidence portfolio to demonstrate product value and increase reach.
  • Leverage newly awarded CPT PLA codes and expand reimbursement efforts.
  • Expand the adoption of products across key channels, including health systems and self-insured employers, including for HeartRisk (SaaS product).
  • Explore additional market opportunities in the US and internationally.
  • Scale internal operations capabilities with a focus on improving efficiency and reducing cost of goods sold.
  • Pursue potential strategic partnership(s) and acquisition(s) of one or more synergistic companies.
  • Continue remediation efforts for the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting, including implementing approval matrices and automating key processes.
  • Stockholders to vote on the 'Share Issuance Proposal' at the upcoming 2025 annual meeting to allow for future non-public capital raises.

Key Dates

DateDescription
2021Launched Epi+Gen CHD clinical test.
April 12, 2021Legacy Cardio entered into a Placement Agent and Advisory Services Agreement with Boustead Securities, LLC.
May 19, 2021Company incorporated as Mana Capital Acquisition Corp.
November 22, 2021Warrant Agreement with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
April 2022Placement Agent Agreement with Boustead Securities, LLC, terminated.
May 13, 2022Mana engaged The Benchmark Company, LLC as M&A advisor.
May 27, 2022Agreement and Plan of Merger with Mana Capital Acquisition Corp., Mana Merger Sub, Inc., and Cardio Diagnostics, Inc.
June 25, 2022Plaintiffs securities law firm sent a demand letter alleging omissions in the S-4 Registration Statement.
October 25, 2022Business Combination completed; stockholders approved the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan; Legacy Cardio assumed contractual engagement with Benchmark.
November 14, 2022Company and Benchmark entered into Amendment No. 1 Engagement Letter.
February 23, 2023Plaintiffs securities law firm contacted company counsel regarding a mootness fee.
March 2023Announced the launch of PrecisionCHD.
May 2023Launched CardioInnovate360.
July 20, 2023Entered into lease agreement for laboratory facilities in Iowa City, Iowa.
August 1, 2023Commencement date for Iowa City laboratory lease and Chicago office lease.
October 25, 2023Benchmark's right of first refusal expired; Company entered into agreement to finance D&O insurance premiums.
November 15, 2024Annual meeting of stockholders approved a reverse stock split ratio range.
December 3, 2024SEC declared effective a registration statement on Form S-1 for Private Placement Common Stock and Warrants.
December 31, 2024Fiscal year end.
January 2024Compensation Committee approved annual increase in Share Reserve; Northland Securities, Inc. contacted the company claiming a fee.
January 23, 2024Company completed entering into subscription agreements with 7 accredited investors for Private Placement; authorized additional shares to Equity Incentive Plan Reserve and granted options.
January 26, 2024Entered into At-the-Market Issuance Sales Agreement with Craig-Hallum.
February 2, 2024Private Placement closed.
February 2024Announced the launch of HeartRisk.
March 20, 2025Filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
March 31, 2025Federal district court vacated the FDA final rule regarding LDTs; Compensation Committee approved an increase in the Share Reserve and granted stock options.
April 10, 2025Board of Directors determined to effect a 1-for-30 reverse stock split.
May 6, 2024FDA published a final rule amending the definition of an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) device to include tests manufactured by a clinical laboratory.
May 12, 2025Company filed Certificate of Amendment to effect the Reverse Stock Split, effective immediately after close of trading on Nasdaq.
May 13, 2025Common stock began trading on a Reverse Stock Split-adjusted basis on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
June 30, 2025End of the quarterly period covered by this report; Company granted 6,944 stock options to the board of directors.
August 14, 2025Date of filing this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; Company sold 22,860 common shares for gross proceeds totaling $103,912 under the At-the-Market Issuance Sales Agreement subsequent to June 30, 2025.
August 25, 2025Finance agreement for D&O insurance premiums payable through this date.
October 25, 2025D&O insurance premiums being amortized until this date.
November 30, 2026Expiration of Chicago office lease.
November 30, 2028Expiration of Iowa City laboratory facilities lease.
February 2, 2030Expiration date for Placement Agent Warrants.
January 23, 2034Expiration date for stock options granted on January 23, 2024.
June 30, 2034Expiration date for stock options granted on June 30, 2024.
March 31, 2035Expiration date for stock options granted on March 31, 2025.
June 30, 2035Expiration date for stock options granted on June 30, 2025.

Recommendation

hold

While Cardio Diagnostics reported a significant revenue decline and increased operational cash burn, the net loss decreased due to lower stock compensation, and the company's cash position slightly improved through financing activities. The recent court ruling vacating FDA's LDT regulation is a positive development, reducing a significant regulatory overhang. However, the company remains in a high-burn, early commercialization phase with long sales cycles and an ongoing need for capital, which poses substantial dilution risk. A 'hold' recommendation is appropriate for investors with a high-risk tolerance who believe in the long-term potential of the AI-driven DNA biomarker technology for cardiovascular disease, acknowledging the significant operational and financial challenges ahead.

Keywords

Cardio Diagnostics, CDIO, 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Cardiovascular Disease, AI-driven DNA biomarker, Epi+Gen CHD, PrecisionCHD, HeartRisk, Medical Technology, Epigenetics, Genetic Testing, SEC Filing, Financial Results, Reverse Stock Split, Nasdaq Compliance, LDT Regulation, Capital Raise, Liquidity, Risk Factors

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