Atomo FY26 slides: revenue surges 41% amid CEO transition

Atomo Diagnostics (ASX:AT1) reported a 41% increase in revenue for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, reaching A$5.3 million. The company is undergoing a leadership transition, with founder John Kelly stepping down after 15 years and being replaced by Dr. Cheri Walker as Interim CEO. Atomo is shifting from a founder-led model to a commercial growth phase, targeting key markets in the US and Europe.

The revenue growth was primarily fueled by a 21% increase in HIV franchise sales to A$2.8 million and a remarkable 209% surge in OEM revenue to A$2.2 million, largely due to the launch of Lumos Diagnostics' CLIA-waived FebriDx test using Atomo's Pascal device platform. However, gross margins compressed to 35% from 51% due to the company's shift towards lower-margin global health markets and the absence of significant one-off license fees from the previous year.

Despite the mixed financial picture, Atomo's underlying EBITDA improved by 39%, moving from a loss of A$3.38 million to a profit of A$2.06 million. The company has been disciplined in managing operating expenses, with employee benefits and professional fees declining by A$840,000 or approximately 20% year-over-year. Research and development costs increased by 23% to A$760,000, supporting the development of new products in syphilis and liver function testing.

The leadership transition aligns with Atomo's strategic priorities of accelerating product adoption, expanding partnerships, and maximizing the value of its differentiated all-in-one blood-based testing platform. Dr. Cheri Walker, with extensive experience in life sciences, diagnostics, and international commercialization, joins Atomo at a critical stage in the company's evolution.