LEHI, Utah, Oct. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: NATR), a leading natural health and wellness company that manufactures high quality herbal and nutritional products, announced the relaunch of its Power Line suite of products with the addition of the newly launched Power Balance supplement. The enhanced product line features four supplements designed to address the growing metabolic health challenges facing millions of people worldwide. The Power Line leverages traditio ...

Core Insights - Skye Bioscience, Inc. presented results from a Phase 1b study of nimacimab for metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) at the EASD Annual Meeting, highlighting its safety and tolerability profile [1][2][3] Company Overview - Skye Bioscience is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic pathways for obesity and metabolic health disorders [1][5] - The company aims to create first-in-class therapeutics by leveraging biologic targets with substantial human proof of mechanism [5] Study Results - The Phase 1b study demonstrated that nimacimab was safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events or discontinuations due to adverse events [2][3] - Gastrointestinal side effects were infrequent and mild, indicating a differentiated tolerability profile for nimacimab [2] - The study was previously conducted by Bird Rock Bio, Inc., which was acquired by Skye in 2023 [3] Future Focus - Skye's immediate focus is on the upcoming topline readout from the CBeyond™ Phase 2a obesity study, which is assessing nimacimab's efficacy [3][5] - The Phase 2a clinical trial is also evaluating the combination of nimacimab with a GLP-1R agonist (Wegovy®) [5]

Core Insights - Over 90% of U.S. adults are classified as metabolically unhealthy, indicating a growing crisis of metabolic dysfunction [1] - Metabolic dysfunction is associated with various challenges, including being overweight and difficulties in maintaining energy and long-term health [1] - Medifast, a health and wellness company with over 40 years of experience, is focusing on addressing this issue through its science-backed, coach-guided lifestyle system [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported no financings completed in Q2 2025, leading to limited revenue generation, primarily from Pat Invest as operations scale [5][6] - Cash utilization for the first six months of 2025 was $3.4 million, with expectations to close financings in February 2025 to reduce or eliminate cash usage [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on incubating more companies to offset operating expenses with financings, balancing equity generation and fee income [6] - The current revenue from launching more developed companies is intended to cover cash operations [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a significant investor hesitation towards deep tech and life science investments, which have been underperforming in the market [9][10] - There is a growing interest in profitable, early-stage companies with revenue momentum, which are highly valued in the current market [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand its product mix to include profitable companies with revenue momentum, moving beyond just life sciences [14] - A new prospectus was filed for a profitable beverage company, Buddha Juice, indicating a shift towards diverse investment opportunities [15][16] - The company is also focusing on metabolic health as a significant opportunity, particularly with GLP-1 drugs, which represent a large market potential [19][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the public venture model, highlighting a shift away from private equity and traditional venture capital [17][18] - The company is preparing to spin off PatentVest as an independent public company, which is expected to create additional value for shareholders [50][51] Other Important Information - The company is actively expanding its investor community and has formed a partnership with Koretsu, one of the largest angel groups, to facilitate more deals [31][36] - The emergence of AI is seen as a transformative factor in IP law, which the company is leveraging through its law firm, PatentVest [48][49] Q&A Session Summary Question: Are there vulture opportunities in your core life science market? - Management acknowledged that tough market conditions often lead to better opportunities, with current valuations being reasonable for potential investments [65][66] Question: What's the plan to increase volume and liquidity for portfolio companies? - The focus is on having a correct narrative and adjusting business models to reflect the current environment, with an emphasis on near-term inflection points [71][72] Question: What is the plan for the holding company's assets and potential distributions? - The company plans to distribute equity as much as possible, with a focus on timing distributions around positive news for portfolio companies [83][86]

Core Insights - BioGene Therapeutics Inc. has appointed Dr. Kamal Albarazanji as Senior Director of Metabolic Research effective August 18, 2025, to enhance its research capabilities in metabolic health [1][4]. Company Overview - PreveCeutical Medical Inc. is a health sciences company focused on developing innovative preventive and curative therapies using organic and nature-identical products, with five ongoing research and development programs targeting diabetes, obesity, and other health issues [5]. - BioGene Therapeutics Inc. is a Texas-based life sciences company dedicated to advancing therapies in metabolic health and gene-based treatments, with a subsidiary in Australia benefiting from a 43.5% R&D tax cashback incentive [7]. Dr. Kamal Albarazanji's Background - Dr. Albarazanji has extensive expertise in in vivo pharmacology, target validation, and translational research, having previously worked on programs related to metabolic diseases and cardiovascular health at a leading pharmaceutical company [2]. - He has a notable history at SmithKline Beecham (now GSK), contributing to significant advancements in hypertension and obesity treatments [2]. - Dr. Albarazanji holds numerous patents and has authored over 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts in prestigious journals, showcasing his prolific research contributions [3]. Strategic Importance - The appointment of Dr. Albarazanji is expected to accelerate BioGene's pipeline of innovative therapeutics, aligning with the company's mission to address unmet needs in obesity and diabetes [4]. - Dr. Albarazanji's vision and expertise are anticipated to enhance the company's research programs and lead to meaningful outcomes for patients [4].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 2025 was $105.6 million, a decrease of 37.4% year-over-year, primarily due to a decrease in the number of active earning OPTAVIA Coaches [19] - Net income for Q2 2025 was $2.5 million or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $8.2 million or $0.75 per share in the prior year [24] - Gross profit decreased 37.9% year-over-year to $76.6 million, with a gross profit margin of 72.6%, down 60 basis points from the previous year [20] - SG&A expenses decreased 40.8% year-over-year to $77.7 million, primarily due to a decrease in OPTAVIA Coach compensation [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The total number of active earning OPTAVIA Coaches was approximately 22,800, a decrease of 32.7% from the previous year [19] - Average revenue per active earning OPTAVIA Coach was $4,630, a year-over-year decrease of 6.9% [20] - Coach productivity improved sequentially for the second consecutive quarter, with a year-over-year decline in productivity improving from a 10.9% decrease in Q2 2024 [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that 93% of U.S. adults are metabolically unhealthy, indicating a significant market opportunity for health and wellness solutions [9] - There is a growing need for effective long-term solutions to help individuals maintain weight loss progress, especially in the context of the rising use of GLP-1 medications [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transforming its business to capitalize on opportunities related to weight loss and metabolic health, emphasizing coach productivity and growth [5] - A new pricing and incentive structure named Premier Plus was launched to simplify client offers and enhance coach compensation predictability [12][13] - The introduction of the EDGE program aims to support coach growth and align behaviors that drive success [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the importance of addressing metabolic health as a key driver of health conditions, with a focus on supporting clients using GLP-1 medications and those transitioning off them [30] - The company expects third-quarter revenue to range from $70 million to $90 million, with earnings per share projected between $0.00 and a loss of $0.60 [25] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate for Q2 2025 was 13.7%, down from 23.4% in the prior year, primarily due to changes in executive compensation limitations [24] - The company liquidated its position in LifeMD common stock, realizing a gain of $2.6 million, compared to a loss of $4.2 million in the prior year [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in Coach Composition - Management noted that 60% of coaches support clients using GLP-1 drugs, with 23% of the client base reflecting individuals who have used or are using these medications [30] Question: Update on ASCEND Sales - ASCEND continues to meet expectations, supporting clients using GLP-1 drugs and those transitioning to maintenance phases [33] Question: Company Supported Marketing - Management indicated that while company-supported marketing is effective for re-engaging past clients, personal stories from coaches are more effective for acquiring new clients [35]

Financial Performance - Q2 2025 revenue reached $106 million[11] - The company reported an operating loss of $1.1 million[15] - Earnings per share stood at $0.22[19] - Revenue per active earning coach (AEC) was $4,630[13, 14] - As of June 30, 2025, cash and investments totaled $163 million[6, 21, 22] Coach Network and Productivity - The company has 22,800 active earning coaches[20] - Revenue per active earning coach declined 6.9% year-over-year but increased sequentially for the second consecutive quarter[8] - New coach productivity exceeded the same period last year[8] - 60% of coaches have had at least one client on GLP-1 medications[30, 70] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on science-driven innovation and offer evolution[23, 65] - The Premier+ program streamlines pricing and processes to improve retention and aid recruitment[25, 48, 51] - The OPTAVIA EDGE program is designed to drive coach productivity, client acquisition, and leadership development[52, 71] Market and Health Focus - The company is addressing the rising metabolic health challenge, with 9 out of 10 U S adults being metabolically unhealthy[31, 69] - The OPTAVIA 5&1 Plan has been shown to impact key drivers of metabolic health, retaining 98% of lean mass in a clinical trial[38, 40] Q3 2025 Guidance - The company projects Q3 2025 revenue between $70 million and $90 million[75] - Q3 2025 loss/earnings per share is expected to be between ($0.60) and $0.00[75]