Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended Q1 with a -1% growth, primarily impacted by two large cell therapy customers who did not purchase materials, contributing approximately 200 basis points of headwind [6][8] - Adjusted for these customers, the growth rate for the rest of the company was +1% [25] - The company anticipates a similar overall growth rate for Q2, projecting a decline of -1% but an improvement to +3% when excluding the impact of the two customers [25][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The diagnostics business grew mid-single digits in Q1, building on a mid-teen growth from the previous year, indicating a strong performance despite lumpiness in customer purchasing patterns [30] - The ProteinSimple franchise has consistently outperformed, with no down quarters and double-digit growth in most recent quarters, indicating strong demand for its consumables [26][68] - The Spatial Biology segment experienced a flat performance in Q1 after a down quarter in Q4, but bookings increased double-digit, suggesting a recovery in interest [27][75] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Pharma market, which constitutes 30% of the company's revenue, has shown resilience with double-digit growth returning after a brief slowdown due to regulatory concerns [12][61] - Academic market funding has stabilized, with NIH budget expectations now flat, improving customer sentiment and reducing anxiety [13][66] - Biotech funding has improved from a -30% decline to -13%, indicating a potential recovery in spending [16][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on its ProteinSimple and Spatial Biology franchises to drive growth in a stabilizing market, leveraging historical performance to navigate current challenges [26][29] - The company is optimistic about the long-term potential of its cell therapy business, despite short-term headwinds from key customers [89][92] - The strategy includes maintaining strong relationships with existing customers while exploring new opportunities in the biotech space [54][94] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the near-term outlook, noting that while challenges remain, there are signs of stabilization in key markets [11][13] - The company expects to see a gradual recovery in the biotech sector, with funding translating into spending over the next few quarters [57] - Management highlighted the importance of upcoming FDA approvals and commercialization timelines for key customers, which could significantly impact future revenue [49][50] Other Important Information - The company has seen a significant increase in its customer base, growing from 550 to 700 customers, indicating strong interest in its products [92] - The company is actively engaging in grant programs to support early-stage cell therapy developments, which could lead to long-term customer loyalty [93] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the impact of the two large customers on the business? - The two customers accounted for 35%-40% of GMP revenue at their peak, and their absence will significantly impact revenue for the remainder of the year [41][52] Question: What is the expected timeline for commercialization of the therapies from these customers? - Management anticipates a timeline of 18 months to three years for commercialization following phase III results, with a base case of fiscal year 2028 for potential revenue [49][50] Question: How does the company view the current state of the cell therapy market? - Management believes the quality of new clinical trials is improving despite a slowdown in the rate of growth, indicating a healthy future for the sector [92]

Core Insights - Bio-Techne Corporation (TECH) reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 42 cents, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the bottom line remaining flat year-over-year [1][9] - The company's net sales for the quarter were $286.6 million, down 1% year-over-year, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.9%, leading to a 7.5% drop in shares during pre-market trading [3][9] Financial Performance - GAAP loss per share was 24 cents compared to EPS of 21 cents in the prior-year quarter [2] - Gross profit increased by 2.8% to $188.1 million, with gross margin expanding by 242 basis points to 65.6% due to a 7.5% decrease in the cost of sales [6][9] - Operating profit for the quarter was $47.7 million, up from $40 million in the year-ago quarter, with an operating margin expansion of 282 basis points to 16.6% [7][9] - Net cash provided by operating activities was $27.6 million, down from $63.9 million a year ago [10] Revenue Breakdown - In the Protein Sciences segment, revenues were $202.2 million, down 1% year-over-year (down 3% organically) [4] - The Diagnostics and Spatial Biology segment saw sales decrease by 4% year-over-year to $79.5 million, although it was up 3% organically [5] Market Position and Outlook - Despite the revenue decline, there are signs of stabilization in the U.S. academic market and continued strength among large pharmaceutical customers [11] - The expansion of both gross and operating margins is viewed as a positive indicator for the company's future performance [12]