Recently joined the community - first-time poster. Hope I get the protocol right. Prior to joining SM, I was evaluating CMP re taking a small RL position, and the day I joined, I saw the comment from @edgescape below. I hadn't considered CMP selling to the public - didn't think that was its market - so rechecked their website. Although they describe Somfit as HST, it is clinician-based HST, not direct-to-consumer HST.

This is the same deal as BP monitors. Consumers can buy decent monitors directly, but if you're on long-term BP medication, every couple of years, you'll be asked to do a 24 hr reading, which is done with a clinical-practice monitor. Higher tech, more expensive, fitted at the clinic and returned still on you 24 plus hours later. The analytical readout is much more detailed than results from a direct-to-consumer model.

I think the Zoll HST monitor mentioned by @edgescape is akin to a direct-to-consumer BP monitor. I could be wrong but as far as I could see, all CMP monitors (at least 14 different units for sleep monitoring, neurological diagnostics and brain activity measurements) are sold to clinicians/clinical practices, not direct to the public. CMP seem established in those markets, but what the competition is at a clinical practice level is difficult to assess.

That said, I haven't bought in because I haven't been able to find a satisfactory answer to the question: Why is a company that got its first FDA clearance in 1997, listed on the ASX in Dec 2000, sells 14 different high-end medical monitors over much of the developed world, and owns the companies making those monitors in the US and Germany, still not reliably profitable?

Looking at the last four years' returns, I have to wonder if the management team is more focused on constantly evolving the various monitoring abilities rather than on returns to shareholders.

Focusing on the key areas that will drive the Compumedics results and valuation, MEG and HST (Somfit):

MEG Systems

With reference to MEG, here is a screesnhot from the MEGIN website showing they have 100+ deployments round the wrold

Seems that MEGIN has moved quickly in a short space of time which is commendable for a private company.

From above, I believe MEGIN willl reduce the addressable market for Compumedic's MEG system (only 2 sold in China recently). Will be hard to dislodge an existing competitor or convince a potential customer that you should replace MEGIN with Compumedics.

Therefore the MEG sales by Compumedics could be a one-off for the year. Hopefully they could get another one next year, but MEGIN may disrupt that chance with so many sites already deployed.

HST (Home sleep testing)

The home sleep testing market is quite fragmented but one name called WatchPAT ONE stood out.

Furthermore, you can order WatchPAT ONE online which can't be done with Somfit (I don't see Somfit anywhere in my results)

Zoll Itamar is part of Japanese conglomerate Asahi Kasei who is effectively a Japanese version of Wesfarmers.

As we know from the acquisition of Altium, the Japanese has a lot of money and resources and will do the best to use that money to make promising products even better.

Also, if I think about the theory of Occam's Razor, I would pick WatchPAT ONE as all you need to do is wear the product on your wrist and finger while Somfit needs to be stuck on your head and wrapped around your chest.

Finally, why is Compumedics not marketing their product online like Asahi Kasei and making it more accessible?

As much as I hate doing these posts, sometimes have to be realistic.

[not held]

Noticed that the CEO is also the Chairman. Probably a warning sign right there!

Despite the diverse IP created by Dr Burton, management execution and a weak board with the Chairman as CEO (instead of separate CEO and Chairman) has not been really good in the past. So I'm not really sure if that bullish guidance can be achieved given the price action and a bit of my own research recently which I may reveal later.

I guess there is another saying for this..Diverse IP + Poor management/Board of directors = Poor returns.

Thinking of taking my tax loss right there based on the above information and moving on. My bad on not doing enough DD.

[held but not much conviction]

Anyone have further details on why BNI pulled the plug on the Compumdeics MEG?

Understand there were issues but did Compumedics get to the root cause?

Apologies @Wini for crashing the party on another one you are following but need an explanation IMHO.

The company that puts everyone to sleep did it again; they provided a Q1 update as part of their recent Bell Potter presentation and we all went for a nap instead of picking it up. 

After I woke up from a this restful 2 hour nap (In my bloody dreams), I picked up the update and read it quickly. 

Here’s what I found in there:

• Q1 FY24 sales orders taken are 23% higher than same time last year, driven by strong growth in Australia because of the initial commercialisation of Somfit
• The US business remains below expectations and several changes have recently been made, including the hiring of a new Vice President of Sale
• The MEG system is currently being installed at TJNU in China and as a result Q1 FY24 invoiced revenues are 115% higher than same time last year at $13.5m. Excluding the MEG sale of $4.7m Q1 FY24 invoiced revenues are 40% higher than same time last year, driven by initial Somfit sales in Australia, and a solid start to FY24 from our Asia-based business.

So we’ve got 2 good pieces of news, and one not so good piece of news. From this, we can make up:

• Despite the US challenges, the business continues to grow quite strongly.
• Management seem like a trustworthy bunch; they didn’t have to share the US update, could have easily brushed it under the carpet, but chose not to do it. I respect that. 

On the back of this knowledge, it appears quite probable that H1 could continue the trend that had started to formed in H2 of last year, and the company could be on track for some good profit growth this year. If that’s true, then the value may appear too cheap. It’s still too early to call I think, but starting to look promising I would say. 

In the mid to long-term, I think they need to nail the US distribution to really be able to transition to a different league, so it would be good to see that ship start to turn in due time. Let's see.

Great article by @Wini here on medical device microcap Compumedics (ASX:CMP). Well written, exceptionally well edited and a nice opportunity to get some confirmation bias on my own investment.

[Held]

 Compumedics has secured its second MEG sale. The sale is to Tianjin Normal University (TJNU), China – home of the Psychology and Behaviour Research Centre. The sale is for approximately $4.2m and is expected to complete late in calendar 2022.

The first sale was to the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI). The Barrow Neurological Institute is an internationally renowned medical center that offers care for people from throughout the world with brain and spine diseases, disorders, and injuries. Michael T. Lawton, MD, one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons, is the president and CEO of the institute, which performs more neurosurgical procedures annually than anywhere in the United States. The BNI MEG system, stage 2 installation is subject to ongoing discussions with BNI.

Compumedics has secured a MEG sale in two highly renowned institutions which should be pivotal for future sales into China and the US.

While this is exciting news, the time it seems to take from the sale announcement to receiving the actual proceeds seems to be quite drawn out, and with the BNI sale there have been several delays due to COVID. At this stage the TJNU proceeds may not be received until H2 FY23, over 12 months away (perhaps longer if there are delays).

I think we will start to see Compumedics profitability starting to improve significantly from 2023, especially if more MEG sales come to fruition this calendar year. Until then I’ll be holding my shares in anticipation! There’s a good kick in the share price today!

Disc: Shares held IRL

ASX MEG sale Announcement below:

MEG BRAIN IMAGING – major contract secured in China

Major magnetoencephalography (MEG) sale achieved to China’s prestigious Tianjin Normal University (TJNU) – home of the Faculty of Psychology

• Opens the door to the fast-growing Chinese neuroscience market & a world class and renowned University
• Represents the largest contract in Compumedics’ history, breaking the record set with the previous Orion LifeSpanTM MEG sale
• The installation will be the first Compumedics Orion LifeSpanTM MEG system to be specially configured for hyperscanning capability, that is neuroimaging of two subjects at the same time to study how they interact
• The above capability is made possible with the unique dual-helmet MEG technology pioneered and exclusively included with the Orion LifeSpanTM

Compumedics Limited (ASX: CMP) (“Compumedics”) is pleased to announce a significant milestone in the ongoing development of its global MEG business with the confirmation of its second MEG sale and its first MEG contract in Asia to the world-renowned Tianjin Normal University (TJNU) in Tianjin, China. The sale, of its own, is material to Compumedics but is also important as it demonstrates the Company’s commitment to the potential future commercial opportunity of the MEG market, as highlighted in many prior company communications lodged with the ASX.

The instrument, along with a host of peripherals including simultaneous EEG, stimulators, computers, and CURRY neuroimaging software, will ship to TJNU late this calendar year. TJNU is investing approximately $6.25m to build up their new research-oriented neuroscience lab. Of this amount approximately $4.20m will be for the supply of the core MEG instrumentation by Compumedics, which at this point in time, will be booked as revenues late in H1 FY23 or early in H2 FY23. Compumedics’ partner in China, the Beijing Fistar Techno

TJNU, founded in 1958, has rich resources and excellent facilities with two faculties and twenty separate colleges, 2,531 faculty and 32,550 full-time students studying a complete range of disciplines. The school's scientific capabilities are world-class and have won numerous awards for humanities and social sciences research achievements. The TJNU Brain Function Imaging Centre was established in 2019. It will include MRI, FNIRS, EEG/ERP, TMS and TCDS laboratories, alongside the Orion LifeSpanTM MEG. Research focuses on high efficiency learning, mental health, and cognition, studying intellectual development of school-age children in the areas of reading, learning, neural mechanisms, etc.

The installation of the new MEG system will, over time, establish a strong mutual key opinion leader centre of excellence for Compumedics in the large and fast-growing Chinese neurosciences marketplace. Multiple additional sales opportunities for the Orion LifeSpanTM MEG will be positively impacted by the decision of TJNU. The university’s selection of Compumedics was the result of a thorough technical review of all available MEG systems from multiple vendors and an open tender. The contract is effective immediately with standard termination provisions.

Compumedics, with its technology partner the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), who have significant experience in developing and manufacturing multiple MEG systems over many years, has recently achieved a series of milestones in its continual development of the Orion LifeSpanTM MEG. This includes high-quality paediatric recordings, simulated hyperscanning from both MEG sensor arrays and powerful environmental interference cancellation via a newly implemented reference channel system.

Mr. Gordon Haid, Compumedics Global Neuro-Imaging Business Director, said:

“We are honoured and delighted to announce this special milestone in the evolution and advancement of our MEG technology. We view China as an important and large source of opportunities for MEG scientific research which is currently underutilised in the country. The endorsement of the TJNU selection committee serves as another significant step forward on our shared mission to advance understanding of the human brain. TJNU highlighted hyperscanning capability, optimised simultaneous MEG/EEG and the dual-helmet configuration to study brain development from child to adult as significant benefits of the Orion LifeSpanTM.”

Dr. David Burton, Compumedics Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer noted:

“Whilst COVID restrictions over the past two years have proven challenging, we continue to remain focussed on advancing our Compumedics Neuroscan Orion LifeSpanTM MEG. We are pleased to have been awarded the prestigious open TJNU tender for our latest generation hyperscanning MEG system, demonstrating our continued commitment to providing world leading neuroimaging solutions. Even amidst the challenging pandemic, we have integrated the best of our KRISS, Compumedics, Neuroscan and CURRY teams’ technologies and efforts to design, fabricate and demonstrate our new hyperscanning MEG advancements. This system enables neurofunctional investigations simultaneously, interactively and comparatively across two individuals, thereby contributing to improved neuroscience research and ultimately enhancing brain healthcare.”

Dr. Xuejun Bai, Professor and Vice President of TJNU will be the Head of MEG Laboratory and Director of the Brain Functional Imaging Centre. Prof. Bai is the former Director of the Chinese Psychological Society. He studies psychological development using modern technologies such as eye-tracking, event-related potentials (ERPs), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNRIS) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Specifically, his research focuses on the psychological mechanism of children’s reading ability; learning efficiency; mental health; and the development of positive interventions. Prof. Bai has published more than 300 scientific papers and has been awarded ten patents. Prof. Bai said: “The Orion LifeSpanTM MEG is set to revolutionize the way we study brain signals from adults, children and the interaction between two subjects simultaneously. The combination of uncompromising measurements from children, hyperscanning capability and powerful analysis software is exactly what is needed to advance our knowledge of the inner workings of the human brain.”

About Compumedics Neuroscan Orion LifeSpanTM MEG

MEG is a functional neuroimaging technique for mapping brain activity by recording magnetic fields produced by electrical currents occurring naturally in the brain using very sensitive detectors. Compumedics has revolutionised MEG with the Orion LifeSpanTM’s increased precision coupled with fully integrated CURRY brain analysis software. Over a 30-year period Compumedics has established the gold standard in neurophysiological multi-modality (including MEG, EEG, MRI, CT, SPECT, PET) brain analysis software. In parallel, over a 30-year period the KRISS MEG team, led by Dr. Yong-Ho Lee, have produced the most advanced MEG brain imaging scanner.

At the heart of the Orion LifeSpanTM are MEG sensors based on Double Relaxation Oscillation Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (DROS SQUIDs), which are patented and exclusive. They are significantly more accurate than conventional MEG sensors.

Additionally, a unique dual-helmet Dewar enables accurate measurements from adult and paediatric populations, along with hyperscanning. This includes a sensors-in-vacuum cooling system for more sensitive measurements. The Dewar is coupled to a virtual 100% coolant recycling system with continuous 24/7 operation. No refilling of helium is required, and 24/7 operation is possible.

About Compumedics Limited

Compumedics Limited [ASX: CMP] is a medical device company involved in the development, manufacture, and commercialisation of diagnostics technology for the sleep, brain, and ultrasonic blood flow monitoring applications. The Company owns US based Neuroscan, and Germany based DWL Elektronishe GmbH. In conjunction with these two subsidiaries, Compumedics has a broad international reach, including the Americas, Australia and Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

Executive Chairman Dr. David Burton founded Compumedics in 1987. In the same year the Company successfully designed and installed the first Australian, fully computerised sleep clinic at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne. Following this early success, Compumedics focused on the development of products that sold into the growing international sleep clinic and home monitoring markets.

Compumedics listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2000. Over the years, Compumedics has received numerous awards, including Australia’s Exporter of the Year, and has been recognised as a Top 100 Innovator by both German and Australian Governments.

Today Compumedics requested a trading halt, with trading resuming on Wednesday morning.

Compumedics has entered a material contract with a third party in China, in relation to its MEG (Magnetoencephalography) business.

Compumedics have requested the shares be halted while each of the relevant parties to the sale clarify the commercial details to be released to ensure the market is fully informed. The trading halt also allows for the fact the parties are in multiple time zones.

I believe this will be a significantly material announcement and could change the entire future outlook for the company. This could be the news long suffering shareholders (Including myself IRL!) have been waiting for over the last 2 to 3 years.

According to Compumedics the current MEG market is estimated at about 20 systems a year at an average selling price of USD4.0m each (US$80m/annum). This is expected to grow about 10% a year, excluding China. It is estimated that China could more than double the existing market size to about 50 units a year.

I believe this will be the first CMP MEG sale to China, and only its second sale. The MEG rollout has been seriously impacted by COVID.

Prior to CMP’s agreement with KRISS (a Korean partner), CMP’s CURRY brain analysis software was the gold standard for the MEG market. MRI is too slow to capture dynamic brain activity needed for alzheimer's et al.

CMP’s agreement with KRISS provides access to a new and superior hardware platform. Now Compumedics can access a complete MEG sale (circa USD3 to 4m each) as opposed to the USD30k software sale.

The dominant existing MEG player is Elekta, based out of Sweden, followed by Yokogawa (Japanese market) and CTF MEG (a much smaller player).

Disc: Held IRL.