company as well as higher employee-related costs due to increased investment in commercial and product development headcount.
Net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was ($14.9) million, compared to ($22.1) million in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to a $11.4 million charge to adjust the fair value of the Company’s outstanding preferred stock warrants in the first quarter of 2021, partially offset by higher operating expenses in the first quarter of 2022. Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2022 was ($0.35), compared to ($37.89) in the first quarter of 2021. The number of weighted-average common shares outstanding in the first quarter this year was materially higher than the first quarter last year because of the conversion of outstanding preferred stock to common stock in connection with the Company’s initial public offering in July 2021. This difference accounts for a substantial portion of the decrease in net loss per share between the periods.
Cash, cash equivalents and investments were approximately $184.2 million, and the Company had no debt outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
Full Year 2022 Outlook
The Company is reaffirming its prior full year 2022 outlook for revenue of between $27 million and $32 million, representing growth of approximately 25% to 50% as compared to the full year 2021. The Company’s full year 2022 revenue outlook assumes that roughly 30% of the revenue will be delivered in the first half of the year, with the remaining 70% in the second half. System placements represent roughly 80% of the potential variability between the high end and low end of the revenue guidance range. The Company is forecasting that roughly 15% of its system placements for full year 2022 will take place in the first half of the year and roughly 85% in the second half of the year, with placements peaking in the fourth quarter.
Webcast Details
The Company will host a conference call before the market opens today, May 10, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. EST to discuss its first quarter 2022 financial results. The live call is accessible on the Company’s website at investors.rapidmicrobio.com and will be archived and available for replay for one year.
About Rapid Micro Biosystems
Rapid Micro Biosystems is an innovative life sciences technology company providing mission critical automation solutions to facilitate the efficient manufacturing and fast, safe release of healthcare products such as biologics, vaccines, cell and gene therapies, and sterile injectables. The Company’s flagship Growth Direct system automates and modernizes the antiquated, manual microbial quality control (“MQC”) testing workflows used in the largest and most complex pharmaceutical manufacturing operations across the globe. The Growth Direct system brings the quality control lab to the manufacturing floor, unlocking the power of in-line/at-the-line MQC automation to deliver faster results, greater accuracy, increased operational efficiency, better compliance with data integrity regulations, and quicker decision making, that customers rely on to ensure safe and consistent supply of important healthcare products. The Company is headquartered and has U.S. manufacturing in Lowell, Massachusetts, with global locations in Lexington, Massachusetts, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.rapidmicrobio.com or follow the Company on Twitter at @rapidmicrobio or on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes 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. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements relating to the Company’s full year 2022 revenue outlook range and expected future revenue and growth; expected timing of Growth Direct system placements and the impact on the Company’s commercial revenue; expectations regarding the Company’s sales process, including improved access to customer sites; customer