Operating expenses increased by 7.4% to RMB128.8 million (US$19.0 million) for the three months ended September 30, 2020, from RMB120.0 million in the same period of 2019.
Selling expenses continued to decline, decreasing by 7.9% to RMB60.6 million (US$8.9 million) in the third quarter 2020 from RMB65.7 million in the same period of 2019. Selling expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 54.1% in the third quarter 2020 from 80.8% in the same period of 2019. These decreases were primarily due to increased sales productivity.
Administrative expenses decreased by 2.9% to RMB32.4 million (US$4.8 million) in the third quarter 2020 from RMB33.4 million in the same period of 2019. Administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 29.0% in the third quarter 2020 from 41.1% in the third quarter 2019, reflecting the benefit of improved operational scale.
Research and development expenses increased by 85.8% to RMB38.6 million (US$5.7 million) in the third quarter 2020 from RMB20.8 million in the same period of 2019. The increase was driven by continued innovation efforts inclusive of development of new products and technologies, as well as clinical trial activities. Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 34.4% in the third quarter of 2020 from 25.5% in the same period of 2019.
As a result of the above, operating loss decreased by 29.5% to RMB59.2 million (US$8.7 million) for the three months ended September 30, 2020, from RMB84.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.
Finance income increased to RMB 12.8 million (US$1.9 million) in the third quarter 2020 from RMB 26,000 in the same period of 2019. The increase was driven by the foreign currency exchange gain.
Loss for the period was RMB48.0 million (US$7.1 million) for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to RMB274.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.
Non-IFRS loss for the period, defined as loss for the period excluding share-based compensation expenses, fair value change and other loss of financial instruments with preferred rights, was RMB43.7 million (US$6.4 million) for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to RMB75.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.
Basic loss per ordinary share was RMB0.11 (US$0.02) for the third quarter of 2020, compared with a basic loss per ordinary share of RMB2.15 for the same period of 2019. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, fair value change of financial instruments with preferred rights and other loss of financial instruments with preferred rights, non-IFRS basic loss per ordinary share was RMB0.10 (US$0.01) for the third quarter of 2020, compared with non-IFRS basic loss per ordinary share of RMB0.59 for the same period of 2019. Diluted loss per ordinary share is equivalent to basic loss per ordinary share. Each ADS represents of five ordinary shares, par value US$0.00002 per share.
Cash, cash equivalents and financial assets at fair value were RMB1,868.5 million (US$275.2 million) as of September 30, 2020.
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