Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021, decreased $1.5 million, or 3.3%, to $45.4 million, compared to $46.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was driven primarily due to year-over-year decreases in travel expenses, as the government and Company imposed restrictions on travel in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company anticipates that travel expenses will increase as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are mitigated.
Research and development expenses were $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase was driven by higher consulting fees and additional head count to support the Company’s clinical research efforts. In addition, the Company, as planned, increased its investments in preclinical studies, supportive of current and potential clinical study indications. MiMedx does expect these costs to increase over time as the Company plans to file INDs and continue working towards the filing of its Biologic License Applications (BLAs). The amount and timing of these expenses are partially dependent on whether interim results from the ongoing IND clinical trials merit further investment.
Investigation, restatement and related expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021, were $7.2 million compared to $15.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in expenses incurred related to the restatement of prior period financial information. The Company does not anticipate incurring any more costs related to the restatement of prior period financial information. Other decreases were driven by fewer expenses incurred relative to obligations to advance litigation defense costs to certain former members of management.
MiMedx expects to continue to incur some litigation costs moving forward, but expects a continued reduction in investigation, restatement, and related expenses, other than costs related to resolution of the securities class action matter, the amount and timing of which are highly uncertain. For additional details, see Note 13, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements on Form 10-Q.
Net loss for three months ended March 31, 2021, was $8.4 million compared to a net loss of $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA for three months ended March 31, 2021, was $4.7 million, or 7.9% of adjusted net sales, compared to $3.1 million, or 5.4% of adjusted net sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $84.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, compared to $95.8 million as of December 31, 2020.
Enforcement Discretion
In November 2017, the FDA developed the regenerative medicine policy framework to support innovations in regenerative medicine therapies, including human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps). As a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the FDA extended the enforcement discretion policy for certain HCT/Ps that do not raise reported safety concerns or potential significant safety concerns, from November 2020 to May 31, 2021. On April 21, 2021, the FDA reaffirmed that the period of Enforcement Discretion would not be extended and would therefore end on May 31, 2021. Combined sales of micronized and particulate products represented approximately 14% and 13% of the Company’s net sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively.