Maxcyte, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call
What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 10 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised, 3 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.
Key takeaways
- Total revenue rose 49%: Total revenue was $10.2 million, against $6.8 million a year earlier. Core revenue was $8.2 million, up 27%, and SPL Program-related revenue was $2.0 million against $0.4 million. Source
- Instrument sales more than doubled: Instrument revenue was $2.8 million, up 102% from $1.4 million, the largest percentage increase among the core lines. Source
- Gross margin rose to 83%: Gross profit was $8.5 million, or 83% of revenue, against $5.2 million, or 77%, a year earlier. Source
- Net loss narrowed to $4.8 million: Net loss was $4.8 million, against $12.4 million; EBITDA loss was $5.1 million, against $13.1 million, and stock-based compensation was $1.0 million, against $2.0 million. Source
- Full-year revenue guidance raised: Full-year total and SPL revenue guidance were raised, while core revenue guidance was kept at approximately $28 million, all excluding the Akron acquisition. Source
- Proposed Akron Bio acquisition: The company announced a proposed acquisition of Akron Bio, a supplier of GMP-grade reagents and ancillary materials, which the release says nearly doubles revenue. Source
- Cash and investments of $132.7 million: Cash, cash equivalents and investments were $132.7 million at September 30, made up of $13.4 million of cash and equivalents, $87.9 million of short-term investments and $31.5 million non-current. Source
“Today, we announced our intention to acquire Akron Bio, a transformational moment for MaxCyte.”
Maher Masoud, President and CEO of MaxCyte
Guidance
| Area | Period | Figure | Against last quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue, excluding Akron Source | Full year 2026 | at least $34.5 million | Raised from approximately $34 million |
| Core revenue Source | Full year 2026 | approximately $28 million | Kept |
| SPL Program-related revenue Source | Full year 2026 | at least $6.5 million | Raised from approximately $6 million |
| SPL milestone revenue Source | Full year 2026 | approximately $4 million | Kept |
| SPL commercial royalties Source | Full year 2026 | at least $2.5 million | Raised from approximately $2 million |
| Second-half core revenue growth Source | Second half 2026 | approximately 15% year over year | Kept |
| Year-end total cash, cash equivalents and investments, assuming Akron close Source | End of 2026 | $40.0 to $45.0 million | New |
| Year-end cash, pro forma excluding Akron Source | End of 2026 | approximately $133 million | New |
| Akron cash uses and funding Source | 2026, assuming Akron close | $105.0 million paid in cash and deal expenses; $22.0 million drawn | New |
What changed from last quarter
- Guidance raised: Total revenue guidance, excluding Akron, raised from approximately $34 million to at least $34.5 million. Source
- Guidance raised: SPL Program-related revenue guidance raised from approximately $6 million to at least $6.5 million for the year. Source
- New guidance: A year-end cash estimate is given for the first time, assuming the Akron acquisition closes. Source
- Guidance kept: Core revenue guidance is kept at approximately $28 million. Source
- New: The company announced a proposed acquisition of Akron Bio, a supplier of GMP-grade reagents and ancillary materials. Source
Third-quarter results overview
- Total revenue rose 49%: Total revenue was $10.2 million, against $6.8 million a year earlier. Core revenue was $8.2 million, up 27%, and SPL Program-related revenue was $2.0 million against $0.4 million. Source
- Nine-month revenue edged higher: Revenue for the nine months ended September 30 was $27.1 million, against $25.7 million a year earlier, and gross profit was $22.1 million. Source
- Interest income declined: Interest income was $1.3 million in the quarter, against $1.7 million a year earlier. Source
- Per-share loss narrowed: Basic and diluted loss per share was $0.05 for the quarter, against $0.12, and $0.17 for the nine months, against $0.33. Source
Core product lines
- Instrument sales more than doubled: Instrument revenue was $2.8 million, up 102% from $1.4 million, the largest percentage increase among the core lines. Source
- Consumables and licenses grew: PAs and consumables reached $3.1 million, up 20%, and licenses reached $2.0 million, up 9%. Source
- Assay services and other fell: Assay service revenue was $43 thousand, down 83%, and other revenue was $276 thousand, down 31%. Source
- Third-quarter instrument buying pulled forward: The October release said the quarter's outperformance came from accelerated instrument purchasing by a large customer that had been expected in the fourth quarter.
“MaxCyte’s third quarter results reflect the progress that we have made throughout 2026, with approximately 15% year-over-year core revenue growth expected in the second half of this year, exceeding the growth expectations we established at the beginning of 2026.”
Maher Masoud, President and CEO of MaxCyte
SPL partner milestones and royalties
- Milestones and royalties both rose: Milestone revenue was $1.0 million, against $0.25 million, and royalty revenue was $1.0 million, against $0.17 million. Source
- Second 2026 milestone recognized: The October release said the company recognized a milestone from one of its SPL partners, its second milestone achieved in 2026.
- Royalties reported with full results: The October release deferred royalty figures to full results, which show $991 thousand of royalty revenue for the quarter.
- Core revenue final versus preliminary: Final core revenue of $8.2 million compares with the preliminary figure of approximately $8.1 million, which the October release said could change.
Margins and operating costs
- Gross margin rose to 83%: Gross profit was $8.5 million, or 83% of revenue, against $5.2 million, or 77%, a year earlier. Source
- Adjusted gross margin was 80%: Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin, excluding SPL Program-related revenue and inventory reserves, was 80%, against 81% a year earlier. Source
- Operating expenses declined: Operating expenses were $14.5 million, against $19.4 million, and the prior-year quarter included $3.1 million of restructuring expense. Source
- Net loss narrowed to $4.8 million: Net loss was $4.8 million, against $12.4 million; EBITDA loss was $5.1 million, against $13.1 million, and stock-based compensation was $1.0 million, against $2.0 million. Source
“Together, with building adoption in early research, we now have a broad set of solutions at every stage, from discovery through commercialization.”
Maher Masoud, President and CEO of MaxCyte
Full-year 2026 guidance
- Full-year revenue guidance raised: Full-year total and SPL revenue guidance were raised, while core revenue guidance was kept at approximately $28 million, all excluding the Akron acquisition. Source
- Second-half core growth near 15%: Management expects core revenue growth of approximately 15% year over year in the second half of 2026. Source
- Year-end cash estimates with and without Akron: Year-end cash is estimated at $40.0 to $45.0 million with Akron, and about $133 million on a pro forma basis excluding it, which the company says is not a forecast. Source
- SPL milestone and royalty split: SPL guidance comprises about $4 million of milestone revenue and at least $2.5 million of commercial royalties. Source
Akron Bio acquisition and funding
- Proposed Akron Bio acquisition: The company announced a proposed acquisition of Akron Bio, a supplier of GMP-grade reagents and ancillary materials, which the release says nearly doubles revenue. Source
- Cash and debt funding for the deal: The year-end cash estimate includes about $105.0 million paid in cash and deal expenses, and $22.0 million drawn under the MidCap Financial credit facility. Source
- Management's view of combined company: Management believes the combination will expand its commercial reach, strengthen its financial profile and drive long-term value. Source
Cash, buybacks and balance sheet
- Cash and investments of $132.7 million: Cash, cash equivalents and investments were $132.7 million at September 30, made up of $13.4 million of cash and equivalents, $87.9 million of short-term investments and $31.5 million non-current. Source
- Operating cash outflow narrowed: Net cash used in operating activities was $18.3 million for the nine months, against $31.7 million a year earlier. Source
- Share repurchases of $5.5 million: The company repurchased $5.5 million of common stock in the first nine months, holding 4,260,534 treasury shares at cost; shares outstanding were 103,233,238 at September 30. Source
- Receivables and deferred revenue increased: Accounts receivable rose to $12.1 million from $3.5 million at December 31, and current deferred revenue rose to $7.4 million from $3.6 million. Source
SPL partners and collaborations
- SPL agreement count reported: Total SPL agreements were 28 at September 30, including 13 programs in the clinic and one commercial program. Source
- More late-stage SPL programs: Management says the company now supports more late-stage clinical programs under its SPL partnerships than ever before.
- Genentech multi-platform license: In July the company announced a strategic, multi-platform technology license partnership with Genentech. Source
Coming up, as management said on 10 November 2026
- Akron acquisition closing pending: The proposed acquisition is pending; the release gives no closing date, and the year-end cash estimate assumes it closes. Source
- Pivotal trials could lead to approval: The company says two SPL partner pivotal trials could lead to approvals as early as next year. Source
Figures management reported
| Figure | Reported |
|---|---|
| Total SPL agreements Source | 28 as of September 30, 2026 |
| SPL programs in the clinic Source | 13 |
| Commercial SPL programs Source | 1 |
Risks management discussed
- Financial: The $40.0 to $45.0 million year-end cash estimate assumes the Akron close and $22.0 million drawn under the MidCap facility. Source
- Demand: Third-quarter instrument revenue included purchases from a large customer that had been originally expected in the fourth quarter.
Earlier plans management reported on
- Ahead: Management says second-half core growth is exceeding the growth expectations set at the beginning of 2026. Source
- Ahead: The October release said preliminary third-quarter and total second-half revenue was ahead of management's expectations.
- Met: Management says the company returned to double-digit growth, against its 2026 goal of getting back to growth in the second half.
Other quarters
Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.