Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased $10.9 million, or 78%, to $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and decreased $16.1 million, or 46%, to $19.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023. The decrease in gross profit was primarily the result of an increase in our manufacturing expense, as less labor and overhead was absorbed due to lower production volumes, as well as a decrease in revenue and sales volume of our gastric balloon system. Additionally, in August 2024, ANSM suspended sales of the Allurion balloon in France, resulting in a $1.2 million reduction to revenue for customer returns of the Allurion Balloon.
Operating Expenses
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses decreased $8.8 million, or 63%, to $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses was the result of a $5.3 million decrease in marketing expenditures driven by a reorganization of our selling and marketing spend focusing on more efficient channels and geographies, a $1.9 million decrease in shipping and logistics expenses, a $1.3 million decrease in salaries and related benefits, a $0.2 million decrease in meeting expenses, and a $0.1 million decrease in travel expenses.
Sales and marketing expenses decreased $18.1 million, or 50%, to $18.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses was the result of a $9.8 million decrease in marketing spend, a $3.4 million decrease in shipping and logistics expenses, a $2.8 million decrease in salaries, related benefits, and consulting costs, a $1.1 million decrease in meeting expenses, and a $0.6 million decrease in travel expenses.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses decreased $4.0 million, or 55%, to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily the result of a $2.4 million decrease in costs related to the AUDACITY clinical trial as it nears completion, a $1.0 million decrease attributable to salaries and related benefit costs due to lower headcount, and a $0.4 million decrease in outside consulting costs.
Research and development expenses decreased $8.4 million, or 39%, to $13.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily the result of a $4.8 million decrease in costs related to the AUDACITY clinical trial as it nears completion, a $2.4 million decrease attributable to salaries and related benefit costs due to lower headcount, and a $0.9 million decrease in outside consulting costs. We expect research and development expenses to continue to decrease in 2024 as our AUDACITY trial progresses toward completion.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses decreased $11.9 million, or 63%, to $7.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily the result of a $4.6 million decrease in stock based compensation as the prior period consisted of a $4.9 million one-time charge as a result of the Business Combination, a $3.4 million decrease in insurance expense as the prior period consisted of a $3.6 million one-time insurance charge related to the Business Combination, a $1.8 million decrease attributable to salaries, benefits, and related costs, a $1.0 million decrease in bad debt expense, and a $0.8 million decrease in legal and professional fees, primarily driven by $1.2 million in one-time charges in the prior period related to the Business Combination.
General and administrative expenses decreased $9.9 million, or 32%, to $20.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in general and administrative
123