System for platelets is establishing a new standard of care,” said William ‘Obi’ Greenman, Cerus’ president and chief executive officer. “With solid visibility to continued demand for the balance of the year, we are raising our product revenue guidance and look forward to finishing this breakout year for Cerus on a strong note.”
Revenue
Product revenue during the third quarter of 2021 was $36.1 million, compared to $23.6 million during the same period in 2020. Product revenue growth during the quarter was driven by increased sales of INTERCEPT platelet products to blood center customers across the U.S.
Third quarter government contract revenue was $6.0 million, compared to $5.6 million during the same period in 2020. Third quarter government contract revenue was comprised of funding associated with research and development (R&D) activities related to the INTERCEPT Blood System for Red Cells as well as sponsored efforts related to the development of next generation pathogen reduction technology to treat whole blood.
Product Gross Profit & Margin
Product gross profit for the third quarter 2021 was $18.5 million and was the highest in company history, reflecting a nearly $6 million increase over the same period in 2020. Product gross margin for the third quarter 2021 was 51.3% compared to 53.6% for the third quarter of 2020 and flat compared to the second quarter of 2021. The anticipated decrease in product gross margin compared to the third quarter of 2020 was tied to higher sales to U.S. customers during the quarter, who at present, primarily use the Company’s single dose platelet kits, which provide a lower product gross margin percentage compared to our double dose kits that are more frequently used internationally.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were $35.6 million compared to $32.2 million for the same period of the prior year. In general, the increase in operating expenses compared to the prior year period were driven by higher commercial expenses, due to sales incentive compensation and partially offset by lower R&D expenses.
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter of 2021 totaled $20.4 million, compared to $16.3 million for the third quarter of 2020. The year-over-year increase in SG&A expenses was tied to increased sales costs and continued investments in our therapeutics business unit.
R&D expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were $15.3 million, compared to $15.9 million for the third quarter of 2020. Continued investments in a variety of R&D pipeline projects continued during the quarter, including those related to the Company’s LED illuminator, but were offset by lower R&D costs versus the prior year period associated with mature projects that have been completed.
Net Loss Attributable to Cerus Corporation
Net loss attributable to Cerus Corporation for the third quarter of 2021 was $12.4 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss attributable to Cerus Corporation of $14.1 million, or $0.08 per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020.
Balance Sheet
At September 30, 2021, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $120.0 million, compared to $122.8 million at June 30, 2021 and $133.6 million at December 31, 2020. Despite continued investments in inventory to meet the anticipated growth in demand, cash used from operations continued to decline as the Company realized increased revenue contribution and significant leverage in SG&A spend.
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