Core Viewpoint - BioLife Solutions, Inc. is set to release its 2024 fourth quarter and full year financial results on March 3, 2025, before the market opens, followed by a conference call and live webcast to discuss the results and provide a business update [1]. Company Overview - BioLife Solutions is a prominent developer and supplier of bioproduction products and services specifically for the cell and gene therapy (CGT) market, as well as the broader biopharma markets [3]. - The company's expertise aids in the commercialization of new therapies by providing solutions that ensure the health and functionality of biological materials throughout their lifecycle, including collection, development, storage, and distribution [3]. Investor Relations - Investors can access the conference call via a toll-free number or through the Investor Relations page on the BioLife Solutions website, with a replay available approximately two hours after the call [2]. - The company has designated contacts for media and investor relations, including the Chief Financial Officer and an external investor relations advisor [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying and maintaining stock price trends for successful short-term investing, highlighting BioLife Solutions, Inc. (BLFS) as a strong candidate for trend investors due to its recent price performance and fundamental strength [1][4][6]. Group 1: Price Performance - BLFS has experienced a solid price increase of 19.7% over the past 12 weeks, indicating strong investor interest [4]. - The stock has also maintained a price increase of 2.3% over the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [5]. - Currently, BLFS is trading at 82.2% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout opportunity [5]. Group 2: Fundamental Strength - BLFS holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises [6]. - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term price performance [7]. - The Zacks Rank system has a proven track record, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988, further supporting the investment case for BLFS [7]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - The article suggests that investors should consider other stocks that pass the "Recent Price Strength" screen, which identifies stocks with sufficient fundamental strength to maintain their upward trends [3][8]. - The Zacks Research Wizard tool is recommended for backtesting stock-picking strategies, allowing investors to evaluate the effectiveness of their approaches [9].

Company Performance - BioLife Solutions, Inc. (BLFS) shares have increased by 9.8% over the past month and have reached a new 52-week high of $29.46 [1] - Year-to-date, the stock has gained 9.8%, outperforming the Zacks Medical sector, which has seen a decline of 0.6%, and the Zacks Medical - Products industry, which has returned 20.9% [1] Earnings and Valuation - The company has a strong record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten earnings consensus estimates in the last four quarters [2] - In the latest earnings report on November 12, 2024, BioLife Solutions reported an EPS of $-0.02, surpassing the consensus estimate of $-0.09, and beat the revenue estimate by 21.98% [2] Valuation Metrics - BioLife Solutions has a Value Score of F, while its Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, resulting in a VGM Score of B [5] - The Zacks Rank for BioLife Solutions is 2 (Buy), indicating rising earnings estimates and suggesting potential for the stock in the near future [6] Industry Comparison - The Medical - Products industry is positioned in the top 35% of all industries, indicating favorable conditions for both BioLife Solutions and its peer, Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) [9] - PAHC has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) with strong earnings performance, having beaten consensus estimates by 52.17% in the last quarter [8]

Group 1 - BioLife Solutions, Inc. (BLFS) is a notable stock within the Medical sector, currently ranked 2 in the Zacks Sector Rank, which includes 1010 companies [2][3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BLFS' full-year earnings has increased by 31.5% in the past quarter, indicating improved analyst sentiment and earnings outlook [4] - Year-to-date, BLFS has returned approximately 7.2%, outperforming the Medical group average loss of about 2.1% [4] Group 2 - BioLife Solutions, Inc. is part of the Medical - Products industry, which consists of 82 stocks and is currently ranked 139 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 19% this year [6] - In comparison, Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA) has returned 34.2% year-to-date and is part of the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, which has seen a decline of 10.3% [5][6] - Investors should monitor both BioLife Solutions, Inc. and Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. for potential continued strong performance in the Medical sector [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying and maintaining stock price trends for successful short-term investing, highlighting the use of a specific screening strategy to find stocks with strong fundamentals and positive price momentum [1][2][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - BioLife Solutions, Inc. (BLFS) has shown a solid price increase of 16.5% over the past 12 weeks, indicating investor confidence in its potential upside [4]. - The stock has also maintained a price increase of 3.7% over the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [5]. - BLFS is currently trading at 90.3% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout opportunity [5]. Group 2: Fundamental Strength - BLFS holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, which are critical for near-term price movements [6]. - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term performance [7]. - The Zacks Rank system has a proven track record, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks averaging an annual return of +25% since 1988, underscoring the reliability of this ranking system [7]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - The article suggests that investors should consider other stocks that pass the "Recent Price Strength" screen, which identifies stocks with strong fundamentals and positive price trends [8]. - The Zacks Research Wizard tool is recommended for backtesting stock-picking strategies, allowing investors to evaluate the effectiveness of their approaches [9].

Core Insights - BioLife Solutions reported a 7% sequential increase in fourth quarter Cell Processing revenue, reaching $20.3 million, and a full year revenue of $73.5 million, exceeding the high end of previously raised guidance [1][2][8] - The company experienced its fifth consecutive quarter of sequential revenue growth in the Cell Processing platform, indicating strong operational execution and strategic focus [2][8] - The divestiture of its freezer and biostorage businesses has streamlined operations, allowing BioLife to concentrate on its core competencies in the cell and gene therapy market [2][4] Financial Performance - Preliminary unaudited revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $22.7 million, a 31% increase from $17.4 million in the same quarter of 2023 [8] - For the full year 2024, total revenue was $82.3 million, reflecting an 8% increase from $75.9 million in 2023 [8] - The Cell Processing platform revenue for 2024 was $73.5 million, up 12% from the previous year, while the Evo and Thaw platform revenue decreased by 14% to $8.7 million [8] Strategic Focus - The company emphasizes its role in biopreservation solutions, which are embedded in 17 approved therapies, highlighting its importance in enabling lifesaving therapies [2] - Looking ahead to 2025, BioLife aims to leverage its strong balance sheet and core business momentum to achieve sustainable growth and profitability [2]

Core Viewpoint - BioLife Solutions, Inc. has appointed Tony J. Hunt, a recognized leader in bioprocessing innovation, to its board of directors, effective January 2, 2025, increasing board membership to six [1][2]. Company Summary - BioLife Solutions is a leading developer and supplier of bioproduction tools and services specifically for the cell and gene therapy (CGT) market [1][5]. - The company focuses on providing solutions that maintain the health and function of biologic materials during their collection, development, storage, and distribution [5]. Leadership Insights - Tony J. Hunt is highly respected in the life sciences industry, with a proven track record of success, particularly in establishing Repligen Corporation as a technology leader in bioprocessing [2]. - Hunt's previous roles include CEO and director of Repligen for nine years, and he has extensive experience in bioproduction, having worked at Life Technologies and Applied Biosystems [2][3]. Strategic Focus - The appointment of Tony Hunt is seen as a strategic move to enhance BioLife's position in the CGT market, with a focus on driving growth and innovation in bioprocessing [2]. - Hunt expressed excitement about joining BioLife at a critical time, highlighting the company's recent efforts to rationalize and prioritize its portfolio towards cell processing solutions in CGT [2].

Core Viewpoint - BioLife Solutions has completed the divestiture of its final wholly owned freezer subsidiary, Arctic Solutions, Inc., for $6.1 million in cash, marking a strategic shift away from capital equipment businesses towards higher-margin, recurring-revenue cell processing products [1][2]. Group 1: Company Strategy - The divestiture of Arctic Solutions aligns with BioLife's strategic refocus on proprietary products in the cell processing market, moving away from capital equipment freezer and storage businesses [2]. - The company previously initiated this divestiture strategy with the sale of Global Cooling in April, indicating a comprehensive shift in business focus [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - BioLife Solutions is recognized as a leading supplier of bioproduction tools and services specifically for the cell and gene therapy market, facilitating the commercialization of new therapies [3]. - The company provides solutions that ensure the health and function of biologic materials throughout various stages, including collection, development, storage, and distribution [3].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - BioLife Solutions reported Q3 2024 revenue from continuing operations of $30.6 million, a 30% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by a 43% increase in cell processing platform revenue [20][21] - Adjusted gross margin for Q3 2024 was 54%, up from 44% in the prior year, while GAAP gross margin increased to 51% from 48% [21][25] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2024 was $6.1 million, or 20% of revenue, compared to $1.4 million, or 6% of revenue, in the prior year [26][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cell Processing platform revenue totaled $19 million, reflecting a sequential increase of 6% and a year-over-year increase of 43% [8][20] - Biopreservation media products, which account for the majority of cell processing revenue, showed strong quarter-over-quarter growth, although there was a decline in other products due to timing [12][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The top 20 customers accounted for approximately 80% of biopreservation media revenue, with 60% of this revenue coming from direct customers, and 40% from customers with approved therapies [12][20] - BioLife's biopreservation media products are embedded in over 70% of relevant, commercially sponsored CGT clinical trials, indicating strong future growth potential [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced the strategic divestiture of its SciSafe bio storage business for $73 million, marking a pivotal step towards becoming a pure-play CGT tools provider [10][14] - Future focus will be on high-growth, high-margin cell processing products, with plans to allocate capital towards expanding the biopreservation media product line [14][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the improving macro environment for the bioproduction subsector, highlighting four consecutive quarters of sequential revenue growth [7][11] - The company anticipates continued growth in 2025, with destocking issues largely behind them [36][52] Other Important Information - The company updated its 2024 revenue guidance to $98 million to $100 million, reflecting an increase in cell processing platform guidance offset by a decrease in expected storage revenue due to the sale of SciSafe [31][32] - Cash and marketable securities balance as of September 30, 2024, was $39.3 million, an increase from $36.9 million as of June 30, 2024 [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you frame up what pro forma gross margins look like post SciSafe sale? - The adjusted gross margin without SciSafe for the first half of 2024 was 60%, with minimal impact expected on adjusted EBITDA profile going forward [34] Question: How should we think about long-term growth from here? - Management indicated that formal guidance for 2025 will be provided in early January, but they expect growth to continue [36] Question: What will be the focus post SciSafe sale? - The focus will be on the cell processing product line, particularly biopreservation media and Sexton tools, with potential for capacity expansion [38][39] Question: Can you expand on specific levers within the cell processing platform for growth? - Key factors include deepening relationships with distributors, pricing opportunities, and cross-selling Sexton tool products [47][48] Question: How is the demand from smaller customers and academia? - Demand from smaller customers is improving, with good sequential growth observed from distributors representing these segments [58] Question: What is the relevance of Asia for long-term growth? - Less than 5% of revenue comes from China, indicating that while Asia is important, it is not material for immediate growth [59]

Core Insights - BioLife Solutions, Inc. reported a quarterly loss of $0.02 per share, outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.09, and showing improvement from a loss of $0.67 per share a year ago [1] - The company achieved revenues of $30.57 million for the quarter ended September 2024, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 21.98%, although this represents a decline from $33.33 million in the same quarter last year [2] - BioLife Solutions has surpassed consensus EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters, indicating a positive trend in earnings performance [2] Financial Performance - The quarterly report resulted in an earnings surprise of 77.78%, with a previous quarter's surprise of 57.14% when the loss was expected to be $0.14 per share but was reported as $0.06 [1] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is -$0.07 on revenues of $26.02 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is -$0.36 on revenues of $111.18 million [7] Market Position - BioLife Solutions shares have increased approximately 63.7% since the beginning of the year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 25.8% [3] - The Zacks Industry Rank places the Medical - Products sector in the top 34% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable industry outlook [8] Future Outlook - The sustainability of the stock's price movement will depend on management's commentary during the earnings call and the trends in earnings estimate revisions [3][4] - Current estimate revisions for BioLife Solutions are unfavorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating expectations of underperformance in the near future [6]