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    CSTL
    Earnings call· Jun 2026(Q2 FY26)

    CASTLE BIOSCIENCES Q2 FY26 earnings call CSTL

    Jul 30, 2026 Source

    Executive summary

    Castle Biosciences Q2 FY26 — Strong Revenue Growth and Raised Full-Year Guidance

    Castle Biosciences delivered strong Q2 FY26 results, driven by robust growth in its core diagnostic tests, particularly TissueCypher, leading to a significant raise in full-year revenue guidance. Strategic investments in commercial resources and pipeline development are positioning the company for sustained long-term growth, despite some near-term pressure on melanoma volume and overall profitability. The company expects to achieve positive adjusted EBITDA for the remainder of 2026 and for the full year 2027.

    Highlights

    5
    • Total revenue reached $103.5 million, marking a 20% year-over-year increase.

    • Revenue from core drivers (excluding DecisionDx-SCC and IDgenetix) grew 40% year-over-year.

    • TissueCypher test reports increased by 63% year-over-year to 14,988.

    • Full-year 2026 total revenue guidance was raised to $365 million-$375 million, up from $345 million-$355 million.

    • Adjusted EBITDA improved to $12.4 million, compared to $10.4 million in Q2 FY25.

    Concerns

    3
    • DecisionDx-Melanoma test report volume grew 3% year-over-year, with moderate sequential growth below typical seasonality due to commercial team adaptation.

    • Gross margin decreased to 74.9% in Q2 FY26 from 77.3% in Q2 FY25 (adjusted gross margin was 76.3% vs 79.5%).

    • The company reported a net loss of $2.1 million in Q2 FY26, compared to a net income of $4.5 million in Q2 FY25.

    Guidance & targets

    8
    CategoryTargetConfidence
    Total revenue
    $365M-$375M
    high materiality
    High
    Adjusted gross margin
    low to mid-70s range
    medium materiality
    High
    Adjusted EBITDA
    positive
    high materiality
    High
    Adjusted EBITDA
    positive
    high materiality
    High
    Adjusted EBITDA
    positive
    high materiality
    High
    Adjusted EBITDA
    positive
    high materiality
    High
    DecisionDx-Melanoma volume growth
    mid- to high single-digit
    medium materiality
    High
    TissueCypher volume growth
    50% to 52%
    medium materiality
    High

    Operational metrics

    18
    Revenue (excluding SCC and IDgenetix)
    40%YoY
    Q2 FY26

    Growth compared to Q2 FY25.

    Test report volume (core revenue drivers)
    32%YoY
    Q2 FY26

    Growth compared to Q2 FY25.

    DecisionDx-Melanoma test reports
    10,2803% growth YoY
    Q2 FY26

    Also increased approximately 3% compared to Q1 FY26, representing moderate sequential growth.

    TissueCypher test reports
    14,98863% growth YoY
    Q2 FY26

    Growth compared to Q2 FY25.

    AdvanceAD-Tx orders
    >1,000
    Q2 FY26

    Orders delivered during the second quarter.

    Adjusted gross margin
    76.3%vs 79.5% in Q2 FY25
    Q2 FY26

    Compared to the same period in 2025.

    Sales and marketing expenses
    $40.9Mvs $35.1M in Q2 FY25
    Q2 FY26

    Compared to the same period in 2025.

    General and administrative expenses
    $25.2Mvs $22.9M in Q2 FY25
    Q2 FY26

    Compared to the same period in 2025.

    Cost of sales expenses
    $23.7Mvs $17.6M in Q2 FY25
    Q2 FY26

    Compared to the same period in 2025.

    R&D expenses
    $14.5Mvs $12.8M in Q2 FY25
    Q2 FY26

    Compared to the same period in 2025.

    Stock-based compensation expense
    $11.6Mvs $11.2M in Q2 FY25
    Q2 FY26

    Allocated among cost of sales, R&D, and SG&A expense.

    Interest income
    $2.4Mvs $2.9M in Q2 FY25
    Q2 FY26

    Compared to the same period in 2025.

    Net cash provided by operating activities
    $15.2M
    Q2 FY26

    For the second quarter of 2026.

    Net cash used in operating activities
    $6.9M
    6 months ended June 30, 2026

    For the six months ended June 30, 2026.

    Net cash used in investing activities
    $41.8M
    6 months ended June 30, 2026

    For the six months ended June 30, 2026, also included purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by maturities and sale of equity securities.

    Cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities
    $266.8M
    as of June 30, 2026

    Strong balance sheet providing financial flexibility.

    AdvanceAD-Tx crosswalk rate
    $3,675
    effective Jan 1, 2027

    Rate associated with the unanimous panel vote for crosswalking AdvanceAD-Tx to a psoriasis drug response code.

    TissueCypher patient penetration
    15%vs 10%-12% exiting FY25
    current

    Estimated penetration of the addressable patient market, reaching middle teens from 10%-12% exiting 2025.

    Industry KPIs

    1
    MetricValueDetails
    Adjusted EPS EBITDA leverage guidanceAdjusted EBITDA $12.4M; Net loss $2.1M; Diluted loss per share $0.07; Total revenue $103.5MUSD

    Product announcements

    1
    ProductTypeDetails
    AdvanceAD-Txmilestone

    Risks & headwinds

    4
    DecisionDx-Melanoma sequential growth below typical seasonalityQ2 FY26

    3% growth QoQ in Q2 FY26 vs Q1 FY26

    Mitigation: Commercial team adapting customer engagement model to support 3 products (Melanoma, SCC, AdvanceAD-Tx) within the same customer call, viewed as a deliberate investment for medium and long-term growth.

    Gross margin compressionQ2 FY26

    Gross margin decreased to 74.9% in Q2 FY26 from 77.3% in Q2 FY25 (adjusted gross margin 76.3% vs 79.5%)

    Mitigation: Continued focus on thoughtful expense control while investing in growth initiatives.

    Net lossQ2 FY26

    $2.1 million net loss in Q2 FY26 compared to $4.5 million net income in Q2 FY25

    Mitigation: Expect to achieve positive adjusted EBITDA for Q3, Q4, and full year 2026, and for the full year 2027.

    Uncertainty and timeline for Medicare coverage for DecisionDx-SCCH2 2026 for potential draft LCD, then approximately 1 year for coverage if positive.

    No public commentary on data discussions with Medicare contractors; no set timeline for reconsideration request response.

    Mitigation: Generating additional publications and evidence development to support coverage decisions.

    What to watch in Q3 FY26

    5

    AdvanceAD-Tx CLFS Rate Finalization

    Late September (preliminary draft), January 1, 2027 (effective)
    CurrentPanel recommended $3,675
    TargetFinal 2027 CLFS rate

    Why it matters

    The finalization of the CLFS rate will establish a critical benchmark for commercial payer negotiations and enable a broader commercial launch for AdvanceAD-Tx, impacting future revenue growth.

    I think we see preliminary draft 2026 CLFS rate schedules in late September. So we're looking forward to seeing that affirm going forward.

    Q&A highlights

    5

    What are your thoughts on the unanimous panel vote for the AdvanceAD-Tx crosswalk and the associated rate? What are the updated expectations for a full commercial launch?

    Management was pleased with the 21-0 vote and the $3,675 rate, noting it provides a strong benchmark for commercial payer negotiations. They anticipate preliminary draft 2027 CLFS rates in late September, which will further support a full launch in the future.

    The rate of [ $3,675 ], I think, is a very, very strong rate for our test. So we are quite pleased with the panel's recommendation or at least voting outcome there.

    asked by Max Masucci · answered by Derek Maetzold

    2 min read5 chapters

    Detailed Narrative

    01

    Core Test Performance and Strategic Focus

    DecisionDx-Melanoma delivered 10,280 test reports in Q2 FY26, representing 3% year-over-year growth, and management reaffirmed expectations for mid- to high single-digit volume growth for the full year. TissueCypher reported 14,988 test reports, a robust 63% year-over-year increase, with full-year volume growth projected to trend towards 50%-52%. The commercial team is strategically adapting its customer engagement model to support three key products (Melanoma, SCC, AdvanceAD-Tx) within the same customer call, which temporarily moderated sequential melanoma growth but is viewed as a deliberate investment for long-term business expansion.

    02

    AdvanceAD-Tx Progress and Reimbursement Outlook

    The AdvanceAD-Tx test garnered over 1,000 orders in Q2 FY26 and received the Genomics Innovation Award. A new independent real-world clinical utility study demonstrated that 97.8% of patients were initiated on molecularly concordant systemic therapy after AdvanceAD-Tx testing, a significant improvement from 54.3% at baseline. Furthermore, a panel unanimously voted 21-0 to crosswalk AdvanceAD-Tx to an existing code with a rate of $3,675, which management views as a strong benchmark for future commercial payer negotiations and a step towards a full commercial launch.

    03

    Clinical Evidence and Regulatory Milestones

    A prospective multicenter study published in Q2 FY26 demonstrated that DecisionDx-Melanoma outperformed the Melanoma Institute Australia Nomogram in identifying patients at low and high risk of sentinel lymph node positivity. Low-risk patients identified by DecisionDx-Melanoma had an observed sentinel lymph node positivity rate of just 2.6%, well below the NCCN's 5% threshold for considering avoiding a biopsy. For DecisionDx-SCC, volumes saw a resurgence, attributed to existing customers recognizing its clinical value and increased promotional time from the sales force.

    04

    Pipeline Development and Future Initiatives

    The company continues to advance its pipeline, including the Previse GI (Esopredict) tissue-based assay, which is now available as a reflex test for TissueCypher in cases where a TissueCypher result cannot be obtained. Development is also underway for a cell collection device, with updates expected in the first half of 2027. Management also indicated potential FDA clearance or approval for an unspecified asset later in 2026 or early 2027, leveraging its breakthrough device designation.

    05

    Financial Flexibility and Capital Allocation

    Castle Biosciences maintains a robust balance sheet with $266.8 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable investment securities as of June 30, 2026. This financial flexibility supports continued investment in growth initiatives, including commercial resources, evidence development, pipeline advancement, and laboratory capacity, while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation. The company expects to achieve positive adjusted EBITDA for the third and fourth quarters of 2026, as well as for the full years 2026 and 2027.

    AI-generated summary of the company’s earnings call. Not investment advice.