UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 


 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 4, 2011

 

NEUROMETRIX, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-33351

 

04-3308180

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

62 Fourth Avenue, Waltham, Massachusetts

 

02451

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(781) 890-9989

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On January 4, 2011, NeuroMetrix, Inc. issued a press release reporting selected preliminary financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. The text of the press release, insofar as it includes the selected preliminary financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the limited information in the press release set forth above, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 2.05  Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.

 

On January 4, 2011, NeuroMetrix, Inc. issued a press release announcing a strategic initiative that will shift the Company’s business focus to diabetes, specifically detection and monitoring of diabetic neuropathy which is a common complication of the disease. The Company will continue to support its neurodiagnostic business which it intends to manage to optimize cash flow. The text of the press release, to the extent that it does not include the selected preliminary financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

As part of the strategic initiative, the Company initiated a restructuring of the Company, which will involve a 27% reduction in workforce and a realignment of responsibilities. The reduction in workforce was authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors on December 14, 2010 and affects 21 employees, all of which have recently ceased or will cease employment with the Company immediately. The Company estimates that the total costs to be incurred in connection with the restructuring for severance-related and inventory-related expenses will be approximately $2.2 million. The Company estimates that the costs to be incurred for severance-related expenses resulting from the reduction in force will be approximately $0.5 million. These costs are associated with the severance benefits to be provided by the Company to each terminated employee. The Company also estimates that the costs to be incurred for invent ory-related expenses resulting from the reduction in force will be approximately $1.7 million. It is not anticipated that there will be any further material future cash expenditures associated with this restructuring. The charges that the Company expects to incur are subject to a number of assumptions, and actual results may differ. The Company may also incur other charges not currently contemplated due to events that may occur as a result of, or associated with, the restructuring.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Press Release of NeuroMetrix, Inc. dated January 4, 2011 (the selected preliminary financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 in the Press Release shall be deemed “furnished” and all other information in the Press Release shall be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act).

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

NEUROMETRIX, INC.

 

 

Date: January 4, 2011

/s/ THOMAS T. HIGGINS

 

Thomas T. Higgins

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Press Release of NeuroMetrix, Inc. dated January 4, 2011 (the selected preliminary financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 in the Press Release shall be deemed “furnished” and all other information in the Press Release shall be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act).

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

NeuroMetrix Announces New Strategic Direction

Primary Focus on Diabetes

 

Waltham, Mass — (Business Wire) — January 4, 2011 — NeuroMetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NURO) announced today that it will shift its business focus to diabetes, specifically detection and monitoring of diabetic neuropathy which is a common complication of the disease. The Company will continue to support its neurodiagnostic business which it intends to manage to optimize cash flow.

 

“Diabetes represents the largest and fastest growing opportunity for our proprietary technology,” said Shai N. Gozani M.D., PhD., President and Chief Executive Officer of NeuroMetrix. “This is a fast growing sector in health care as countries around the world struggle to cope with an epidemic of Type II diabetes. Neuropathy is a common and serious complication of the disease that may lead to foot ulcers and limb amputation. We have over a decade of experience in neuropathy detection and believe we are uniquely positioned to address the unmet need for a rapid, cost-effective, objective test for diabetic neuropathy. We are working towards a mid 2011 launch of NC-stat-SL, which is a modified version of our NC-stat device designed specifically for assessment of diabetic neuropathy at the point-of-care. In support of our efforts, we have assembled a scientific advisory board of international expe rts.”

 

The Company also reported on 2011 goals for its neurodiagnostic business which has struggled in recent years due to changes in reimbursement. The Company’s primary focus will be maintaining its high standard of product support for its active installed base of nearly 3,900 physician practices. The Company intends to transition these accounts to its ADVANCE technology which currently represents about 25% of tests performed using the Company’s technology.   The general purpose NC-stat device, which has been on the market since 1999, will not be supported beyond 2011.  The Company believes that a variable cost sales channel is preferable during this transition period.   As a result, the Company’s direct sales force will be disbanded, and new account acquisition will be managed through third party distribution. The Company’s international business which employs the ADVANC E technology and is transacted through a network of independent distributors will be unaffected.

 

“Although Medicare now provides coverage for nerve testing using our proprietary pre-configured electrodes under CPT 95905, most commercial insurance companies have not yet revised their coverage policies despite the abundance of evidence based studies documenting the accuracy and clinical utility of the procedure, particularly for carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetic neuropathy,” said Dr. Gozani. “While we are working towards broader coverage, uncertain physician economics have made new account acquisition challenging and therefore the cost of a direct sales force cannot be justified. For this reason, we are 1) prioritizing our large installed base of active accounts, 2) restructuring our organization to support current accounts, and 3) shifting to third party distribution for new account acquisition. Following this restructuring, our 2011 goal is to manage neurodiagnostics to achieve a posi tive net cash contribution to the Company. The restructuring will involve a 27% reduction in headcount, realignment of responsibilities, and a charge of approximately $2.2 million related to severance and inventory.”

 

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The Company also reported selected preliminary financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2010 were approximately $3.0 million and total revenues for the full year 2010 were approximately $13.9 million. The Company ended 2010 with cash balances totaling approximately $17.0 million. Cash balances declined by approximately $1.9 million from $18.9 million at September 30, 2010.

 

Company to Host Live Conference Call and Webcast

 

NeuroMetrix management will host a conference call tomorrow, January 5, 2011 at 8:00 a.m., Eastern time, to discuss the Company’s strategy, as well as other forward-looking information about the Company’s business. To access the call, dial 800-706-7748 (domestic), or 617-614-3473 (international). The confirmation code is 58003673. The call will also be webcast and will be accessible from the Company’s website at http://www.neurometrix.com under the “Investor Relations” tab. A replay of the conference call will be available for three months starting two hours after the call by dialing 888-286-8010 (domestic) or 617-801-6888 (international), and the confirmation code is 51867839.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

The statements contained in this press release include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding NeuroMetrix’s or its management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding future developments and their potential effects on the Company. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “hope” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. While the Company believes the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurat e, there are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting NeuroMetrix will be those that NeuroMetrix has anticipated. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, those relating to the development of its system for screening diabetic neuropathy, and its restructuring of the neurodiagnostic business and anticipated impact on cash flows, that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including those risks, uncertainties and factors referred to under the section “Risk Factors” in NeuroMetrix’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other d ocuments that may be filed by NeuroMetrix from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NeuroMetrix is providing the information in this press release only as of the date hereof, and expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update the information included in this press release or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

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About NeuroMetrix

 

NeuroMetrix is a science-based health care company transforming patient care through neurotechnology. We develop and market innovative products for the detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of peripheral nerve and spinal cord disorders such as those associated with diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbosacral disc disease and spinal stenosis.  For more information, visit http://www.neurometrix.com.

 

SOURCE: Neurometrix, Inc.

 

Thomas T. Higgins, CFO

 

neurometrix.ir@neurometrix.com

 

Ph 781-314-2761

 

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