November 7, 2016
Dr. Lawrence Howard, Chairman of the Board of Directors
iCAD, Inc.
98 Spit Brook Road, Suite 100
Nashua, NH 03062 USA
Dear Chairman Howard,
Harbert Discovery Fund ("HDF") owns 5.01% of iCAD, Inc. (the "Company" or "iCAD") common shares. We maintain strong belief in iCAD's potential but are troubled by its recent performance. We feel management should take steps to attempt to restore shareholder confidence. Accordingly, in this letter we call on the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") and management team to purchase shares immediately in the open market, waive Board cash compensation until there is a material improvement in operational performance, and to pursue strategic alternatives should the business not experience a material improvement in revenue growth and business outlook by 2Q 2017.
As long-term oriented shareholders, we see significant value in iCAD in both the Cancer Therapy and Cancer Detection segments.
The Company has promising technology in its Cancer Therapy segment with the Xoft system. Indeed, the strong positive clinical data released at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) meeting in 2016 reinforced the clinical efficacy and systemic cost advantages of this emerging cancer therapy platform. As indicated on the last earnings call, the potential for 70-150 eBx Skin customers in the Therapy segment by the end of 2017 is also very promising in the near-term. Longer-term, we are pleased to hear of the potential applications of the Xoft System in prostate cancer and other indications, representing additional significant market opportunities.
Equally important, the tomosynthesis Computer-Aided Detection solution and workflow tool ("3D CAD") is already showing strong promise in Europe where it is commercially available. We remain very encouraged by the strong reader study data submitted to the FDA earlier in the year, and we are hopeful that the product will ultimately be approved by the FDA. The installed business awaiting this 3D CAD product, as well as the potential for the next generation product, presents a compelling opportunity to be a technology leader and first-mover in breast tomosynthesis and cancer detection.
Despite these promising developments, the most recent quarterly earnings released on November 2, 2016 were highly disappointing. HDF feels these earnings reflect neither the revenue generation potential of the business nor the characteristics of strong operational execution.
With shares trading around $3.15/share, we feel it is incumbent on the Board and management team to immediately purchase common shares in the open market. Common shares are down 25% over the past year and down 49% since September 2016, and this follows the very challenged 2015 stock performance and reimbursement debacle. Given the strong growth potential in both business segments, iCAD's current enterprise value of 1.1x our 2017 sales expectations, puts the Company at a steep discount to peers and its considerable market opportunity.
After the pattern of mismanaged shareholder expectations and poor performance, shareholders are reluctant to place credence in management's guidance and the Board's oversight. Open market purchases of shares would signal faith in the business and the potential for 2017 to be a transformative year. HDF also feels the suspension of Board cash compensation until iCAD has shown multiple quarters of sustained improved performance would be a sign to shareholders that the Board understands the recent value deterioration and is committed to reversing that trend. Finally, the Board should make it a near-term priority to hire a high-quality Chief Financial Officer ("CFO").
Importantly, looking into next year, HDF feels that should iCAD not receive FDA approval for its 3D CAD product or demonstrate revenue growth potential by 2Q17, then the Board should hire an investment bank and immediately explore a range of strategic alternatives, including the sale of each segment independently. It is highly likely, given the standalone EBITDA characteristics of both business segments, that there would be motivated and interested buyers. Consider that a sum-of -the-parts analysis suggests the Cancer Detection business alone could be worth more than the enterprise value of the Company today, and that does not even account for the revenue potential of the 3D CAD product.
We remain confident that 2017 will be a transformative year for iCAD. The Board and management team should immediately purchase shares on the open market to demonstrate their shared confidence in iCAD's future, as well as to help restore confidence among the investor community. Also, we implore the Board to move swiftly to improve the management team by hiring a first-rate CFO. Should the Company continue to struggle in 2017, the Board should engage an investment bank to explore strategic alternatives.
HDF is optimistic iCAD can capitalize on the opportunities before it to improve performance. Should meaningful progress not be made, however, HDF will consider taking actions to drive change and prevent further value erosion for all iCAD stakeholders.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss any of our points at length.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
/s/ Jack Bryant
Jack Bryant, Director of Investments and Co-Portfolio Manager of Harbert Discovery Fund GP, LLC the General Partner of Harbert Discovery Fund, LP
/s/ Kenan Lucas
Kenan Lucas, Director of Investments and Co-Portfolio Manager of Harbert Discovery Fund GP, LLC the General Partner of Harbert Discovery Fund, LP