Will Your Insurance Pay for a ReWalk Robotics Solution for Paralysis? FDA Clearance

Update 06/10/19- ReWalk Robotics stock soars after receiving FDA clearance for its exosuit- https://finance.yahoo.com/video/rewalk-robotics-stock-soars-receiving-203711186.html

ReWalk Robotics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: RWLK) develops, manufactures and markets wearable robotic exoskeletons for individuals with lower limb disabilities as a result of spinal cord injury or stroke. The Company’s mission is to fundamentally change the quality of life for individuals with lower limb disability through the creation and development of market leading robotic technologies. Founded in 2001, ReWalk has headquarters in the United States, Israel, and Germany

Recent Highlights:

On 26th March 2019, the company announced the delivery of a ReWalk Personal 6.0 System to Lucy Dodd, a British children’s social care worker paralyzed by a rare spinal condition, which will allow her to stand and walk again. The ReWalk exoskeleton—a medical device designed for individuals with spinal cord injury to be used in the home and the community—is in use throughout the UK and around the world. Lucy Dodd will begin rehabilitation training after national fundraising campaign with support from the Association for the Independence of Disabled People.

On Feb 13th, 2019, the company announced that Cigna Corporation, a leading global health service company, has revised its policy regarding coverage of exoskeleton medical devices for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Cigna, which previously had a non-coverage policy, will now review submissions from beneficiaries on a case-by-case basis to consider providing coverage based on medical criteria. This policy revision is the first of its kind by a major private insurer for individuals eligible to use exoskeleton devices. While the policy change has already taken effect, the formal policy change will be updated in Cigna’s next revision cycle, expected to be published in or around Q3 2019.

Recent Financial Closure: On Feb. 25, 2019, ReWalk Robotics Announced the closing and funding of its previously announced public offering of 19,000,000 ordinary shares at a price to the public of $0.23 per share. The gross proceeds of from the offering, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses, are $4.37 million. ReWalk intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for (i) sales, marketing and reimbursement expenses related to market development activities and broadening third-party payor coverage and (ii) research and development costs related to, in the shorter term, its ReStore™ exo-suit designed to assist patients who have had a stroke, and, in the longer term, expansion of the Company’s technological platform to address other medical indications affecting the ability to walk.

Before this, on Feb. 08, 2019, Rewalk announced its financial results for 2018. Highlights of and subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2018 include:

  • Completed enrollment in the clinical study of the ReStore soft exo-suit for stroke patients:
  • On track to file a 510(k) submission with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) imminently;
  • Applied for CE mark clearance for the ReStore; prelaunch activities underway for potential European commercialization in mid-2019;
  • Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $1.6 million, compared to $1.5 million in the prior year quarter;
  • Sales for the fourth quarter of 2018 in Europe grew to $1.24 million driven primarily by the German national coverage code that was issued in June 2018;
  • 19 units were placed during the fourth quarter of 2018;
  • 12 positive coverage decisions of which nine were in Germany during the fourth quarter of 2018;
  • 2018 gross margin improved to 43.2%, compared to 40.0% in 2017; and,
  • Raised $13.1 million in gross proceeds from an equity offering in November 2018; repaid $3.6 million to Kreos Capital V (Expert Fund) Limited and deferred $3.9 million of 2018 and 2019 original loan payments into 2020-2021.

Management’ Outlook over the near to medium term:

We believe that 2019 is poised to be a significant year for ReWalk. I am excited by the momentum we are seeing in Europe for our SCI devices and the opportunity before us as we prepare to launch our second product, the ReStore for stroke patients.  We plan to enter the stroke market with a unique lightweight product that fits into the existing reimbursement landscape, offering multiple treatment benefits for patients and a meaningful value proposition for clinics. We are excited to bring this ground-breaking technology to market and believe its unique value will support rapid adoption,” stated Larry Jasinski, Chief Executive Officer of ReWalk.

Planned Steps for Growth Growing Current Business and Expanding to New Markets

ReWalk intends to grow the SCI, Rigid exoskeleton business through expanded coverage policies and develop new soft exosuit technologies through the Wyss partnership to address other lower limb disabilities and create a broad portfolio of solutions.

Upcoming milestones:

  • The critical milestones for the forthcoming quarters are demonstrating sales growth from the German and VA policy accomplishments, establishing a U.S. commercial policy, completing the CE and FDA clearances, the launch of the ReStore stroke system and securing a distribution partner in China.
  • ReWalk Robotics continues to focus on margin improvement, managing its overall burn rate to the lowest possible level, seeking to reduce its debt and maintaining adequate capital balance. The management is focussing on maintaining the necessary financial flexibility to execute its strategic goals without cost and time overruns.

Analyst ratings and target price:

Per www.marketbeat.com, Their average twelve-month price target is $2.00, suggesting that the stock has a possible upside of 825.50%. The high price target for RWLK is $2.00, and the low-price target for RWLK is $2.00.

Key highlights and unique differentiating factors of the company:

  • Market leading global exoskeleton developer with two breakthrough device platforms
  • Rigid ReWalk exoskeleton for spinal cord injury market
  • FDA and CE mark clearance for both Personal and Rehabilitation use; a sixth-generation device
  • Global commercial infrastructure with first mover advantage
  • ReStore soft-suit exoskeleton for stroke rehabilitation
  • First study underway in collaboration with Harvard University’s Wyss Institute
  • CE submission completed Q4 2018; FDA submission planned for early 2019; EU and US launch anticipated Q3 2019
  • The potential for other indications including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
  • Innovation through a research collaboration agreement with Wyss Institute at Harvard
  • Proven insurance reimbursement success. Currently working with other groups in the US and Germany to secure broader coverage
  • Extensive relationship with Department of Veterans Affairs, the single largest network of care for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients in the United States

ReWalk Overview – Market leading global developer of robotic therapy and mobility assistance solutions

Compelling Demand Drivers:

There remains a substantial market for the company’s ReWalk exoskeleton for SCI patients in the U.S. with a substantial backlog of demand, and the management remains committed to securing wider reimbursement coverage for these individuals. RWLK have continued to educate the U.S. payers, are gaining interest and anticipate some will begin to modify policies in the months ahead.

Moreover, the company is likely to see expanded independent third-party societal support for coverage as there are now three groups that have published consensus statements, advocating support for these products for the spinal cord injured community.

Financial Highlights:  Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results (In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

  • Total revenue was $1.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $1.5 million during the prior-year quarter. 19 ReWalk systems were placed during the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to 23 systems in the prior year period.  Four systems were placed in the U.S. and 15 were placed in Europe.
  • Gross margin was 38.9% during the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to 39.8% in the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily attributable to a one-time inventory write-off. The full year 2018 gross margin was 43.2%, compared to 40.0% in 2017, reflecting our commitment to managing our operations.
  • Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2018 were $4.6 million, compared to $6.2 million in the prior year period. Total operating expenses for the full year 2018 were $22.0 million, compared to $25.1 million in 2017.
  • Operating cash flow usage was reduced to $14.8 million in 2018, compared to $22.5 million in 2017, primarily due to working capital improvements and reduced operating expenses.
  • Net loss was $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to a net loss of $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. 2018 net loss was $21.7 million, compared to 2017 net loss of $24.7 million.
  •  

 Liquidity: As of December 31, 2018, ReWalk had $9.5 million in cash on its balance sheet and $8.7 million in short- and long-term debt.

Key risk factors and potential stock drivers:

  • Failure to identify changing trends and industry preference is an important factor which has a bearing on the company’ performance over the medium to longer term.
  • The company needs incremental capital to expand, achieve revenue targets. Therefore, management’ ability to improve RWLK’ cash flow profile as the company goes forward would continue to remain a critical stock sensitivity factor.
  • Company’ ability to demonstrate strong financial performance despite competitive pressures
  • Although RWLK has seen progress in Germany, the company did not achieve its anticipated results in the U.S. In the fourth quarter of 2018; reimbursement remains a challenge as it continues to work on securing broader coverage for ReWalk devices.
  • Therefore, weaker than expected revenue growth and or profitability could also impinge the stock performance over the near to medium term.

Stock Performance

Comments:

A Reverse split has changed the numbers below-

  • On Friday, April 29th, 2019, RWLK closed at $0.2156, with an average volume of 6.67 million shares exchanging hands. Market capitalization is $19.877 million. The current RSI is 42.57
  • In the past 52 weeks, shares of RWLK have traded as low as $0.1610 and as high as $1.35
  • At $0.2156, shares of RWLK are trading below its 50-day moving average (MA) at $0.26 and below its 200-day moving average (MA) at $0.60
  • The present support and resistance levels for the stock are at $0.19 & $0.24 respectively. 

Disclaimer

Traders News Source is a wholly owned subsidiary of Traders News Source LLC, herein referred to as TNS LLC.

Traders News Source has not been compensated for this report by anyone and the opinions if any are that of the author Vikas Agrawal, CFA. Author’s Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I, wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in the article.

This web site, published by TNS LLC, and is an investment newsletter that is built on the premise of assisting individual investors in learning about investing. Our goal as publishers of financial information is to provide research and analysis of investments to our subscribers. TNS LLC does not give buy or sell recommendations. We do purchase distribution rights from analyst, financial writers and bloggers for a fee that may be licensed to issue price targets and recommendations. Furthermore, we encourage you to speak to a licensed professional prior to making an investment in any type of publicly traded security.

We do sell advertising to other companies including brokerage firms, web sites, publicly traded issuers, investor relations firms, and investment publications, among others. TNS LLC makes no warranty as to the policies of these organizations, and in no way endorses their offers, services, or the content of their advertisements.

When an advertiser is a publicly traded company or a third party acting on behalf of a public company, we fully disclose all compensation in the email advertisement. Such disclosure is included in a disclosure statement in each of the advertisements sent via email.

17B Disclosure

Our reports/releases are a commercial advertisement and are for general information purposes ONLY. We are engaged in the business of marketing and advertising companies for monetary compensation. Never invest in any stock featured on our site or emails unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. The disclaimer is to be read and fully understood before using our services, joining our site or our email/blog list as well as any social networking platforms we may use.

PLEASE NOTE WELL: TNS LLC and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever.

Release of Liability: Through use of this website viewing or using you agree to hold TNS LLC, its operator’s owners and employees harmless and to completely release them from any and all liability due to any and all loss (monetary or otherwise), damage (monetary or otherwise), or injury (monetary or otherwise) that you may incur. The information contained herein is based on sources which we believe to be reliable but is not guaranteed by us as being accurate and does not purport to be a complete statement or summary of the available data. TNS LLC encourages readers and investors to supplement the information in these reports with independent research and other professional advice. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled or is available from public sources and TNS LLC makes no representations, warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the disclosure by the profiled companies. None of the materials or advertisements herein constitute offers or solicitations to purchase or sell securities of the companies profiled herein and any decision to invest in any such company or other financial decisions should not be made based upon the information provide herein. Instead TNS LLC strongly urges you conduct a complete and independent investigation of the respective companies and consideration of all pertinent risks. Readers are advised to review SEC periodic reports: Forms 10-Q, 10K, Form 8-K, insider reports, Forms 3, 4, 5 Schedule 13D.

TNS LLC is compliant with the Can Spam Act of 2003. TNS LLC does not offer such advice or analysis, and TNS LLC further urges you to consult your own independent tax, business, financial and investment advisors. Investing in micro-cap and growth securities is highly speculative and carries an extremely high degree of risk. It is possible that an investor’s investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors a ‘safe harbor’ in regard to forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact may be “forward looking statements”. Forward looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward looking statements in this action may be identified through use of words such as “projects”, “foresee”, “expects”, “will”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “believes”, “understands”, or that by statements indicating certain actions & quote; “may”, “could”, or “might” occur.

Understand there is no guarantee past performance will be indicative of future results. In preparing this publication, TNS LLC has relied upon information supplied by its customers, publicly available information and press releases which it believes to be reliable; however, such reliability cannot be guaranteed. Investors should not rely on the information contained in this website. Rather, investors should use the information contained in this website as a starting point for doing additional independent research on the featured companies. The advertisements in this website are believed to be reliable, however, TNS LLC and its owners, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, representatives and agents disclaim any liability as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained in any advertisement and for any omissions of materials facts from such advertisement. TNS LLC is not responsible for any claims made by the companies advertised herein, nor is TNS LLC responsible for any other promotional firm, its program or its structure.