3 Things to Watch as Genomic Health, Inc. Releases Earnings

As Genomic Health prepares to release earnings on Wednesday after the closing bell, here are three things investors should be watching from the cancer-test maker.

1. Tests performedRevenue is important, but with not all of its tests being reimbursed, the number of tests performed is a better indicator of the company's long-term trajectory (assuming reimbursement is eventually secured).

Management guided for Genomic Health to perform 117,500 to 121,000 tests this year, which would result in an average of 29,375 at the low end. But with the launch of Genomic Health's prostate cancer test ramping up after gaining Medicare reimbursement, it's likely that the first quarter will be under the average with growth over the four quarters.

We may get a hint at how the launch of the prostate cancer test is going when Myriad Genetics reports earnings this afternoon. Myriad's Prolaris test is a direct competitor to Genomic Health's prostate Oncotype DX test, but this may not be a winner-take-all situation. In fact, having two sales forces talking to doctors could benefit both Myraid Genetics and Genomic Health by expanding the market substantially since most prostate cancer patients aren't being tested. Even with more than 70% growth in its prostate cancer tests last year, Genomic Health estimates that it's only penetrated 10% of the medically eligible prostate cancer patients in the U.S.

IMAGE SOURCE: GENOMIC HEALTH.

2. The bottom lineGenomic Health isn't likely to be profitable this quarter, but it's moving in that direction. Management guided for the company to lose between $12 millionand$18 million this year, but noted that would entirely come in the first half of the year with a "move toward profitability in the second half of the year."

While not explicitly said, it seems likely that the first quarter will have a larger loss than the second quarter since Genomic Health isn't just going to flip a switch and be profitable starting in July.

3. Liquid biopsyThe company announced earlier this year plans to launchits first liquid biopsy test, Oncotype SEQ, in the middle of this year. The test uses next generation sequencing to identify genetic changes in tumor DNA in the patient's blood to determine the best treatment for late-stage solid tumors including lung, breast, colon, melanoma, ovarian, and gastrointestinal.

Hopefully, we'll get an update on when the test will be available and any early feedback Genomic Health has gotten from doctors interested in the test. The American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting is next month, so it would make sense for Genomic Health to have the test ready by then and use the scientific meeting to talk it up.

The article 3 Things to Watch as Genomic Health, Inc. Releases Earnings originally appeared on Fool.com.

Brian Orelli has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Genomic Health. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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