Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EPS for Q2 was $0.46, up 10% year-over-year, while GAAP EPS increased to $0.24 from $0.22 in the prior year [19] - Total revenue for Q2 was $295.9 million, flat year-over-year on both an organic and reported basis, with foreign currency exchange contributing a 2% tailwind [19][20] - Adjusted gross margin was 68.5%, down from 70.5% last year, driven by unfavorable product and customer mix [21] - Adjusted operating margin reached 31.1%, up 100 basis points year-over-year, reflecting productivity gains and cost management [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Protein Sciences segment reported sales of $215.1 million, with organic revenue declining 1% but benefiting from foreign exchange [23] - Diagnostics and spatial biology segment sales were $81.2 million, down 4% year-over-year, with organic growth of 3% after accounting for divestitures [25] - Core reagents and assays delivered low double-digit growth, while proteomic analytical tools grew upper single digits [15][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from large pharma customers increased low double digits for the fourth consecutive quarter, while emerging biotech declined mid-single digits [9][20] - U.S. academic business saw a modest decline, partially offset by stable growth in Europe, resulting in a low single-digit decline overall for this end market [10] - China experienced mid-single-digit growth, marking its third consecutive quarter of growth, supported by R&D investments [10][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on four strategic growth verticals: cell therapy, proteomic analytical instrumentation, spatial biology, and precision diagnostic tools, which now represent 47% of total revenue [7] - The company is committed to maintaining a strong profitability profile while investing in strategic growth initiatives [6][18] - The upcoming fiscal year 2026 is significant as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, with plans for various events [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the operating environment is stabilizing but still challenging, with funding uncertainty affecting customer behavior in emerging biotech and U.S. academia [18] - There is optimism regarding the rebound in biotech funding and favorable U.S. appropriation bills, which are expected to support gradual improvement in end markets [18][19] - The company anticipates that headwinds from FDA Fast Track designations will moderate, allowing for improved growth in the future [26] Other Important Information - The company is actively pursuing M&A opportunities, with a focus on enhancing capabilities in cell therapy and proteomic analysis [81] - The acquisition of Wilson Wolf is on track, with expectations to complete it by the end of calendar year 2027 [13][81] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth cadence and expectations for fiscal year 2026 - Management confirmed that underlying growth, excluding specific customer impacts, is expected to be mid-single digits for the year [30][32] Question: Drivers of gross margin trends - Management explained that gross margin pressures were due to unfavorable product mix and customer profiles, but improvements are expected in the latter half of the year [34][41] Question: Impact of AI on biotech demand - Management believes AI will enhance customer capabilities and drive demand for more complex materials, benefiting the company [42][45] Question: Biotech funding and timing of revenue impact - Management indicated that funding improvements typically show a six-month lag in revenue impact, with positive trends expected to continue [60][62] Question: Cell therapy customer impacts on GMP business - Management noted that the two large customers' Fast Track designations have created a temporary headwind, but underlying growth in the cell therapy business remains strong [64][66]