BIOLIFE SOLUTIONS INC - Quarter Report: 2017 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

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FORM 10-Q

þ  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

¨  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from        to

Commission File Number 001-36362

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BioLife Solutions, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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3303 MONTE VILLA PARKWAY, SUITE 310, BOTHELL, WASHINGTON, 98021

(Address of registrant’s principal executive offices, Zip Code)

(425) 402-1400

(Telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (S232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post said files). Yes þ  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨  Accelerated filer ¨  Non-accelerated filer ¨  Smaller reporting company þ

Emerging Growth Company ¨ 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨  No þ

As of May 9, 2017, 13,036,621 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

BIOLIFE SOLUTIONS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

BioLife Solutions, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

BIoLife Solutions, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

BIoLife Solutions, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(unaudited)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

BioLife Solutions, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 (unaudited)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

BioLife Solutions, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Business

BioLife Solutions, Inc. (“BioLife,” “us,” “we,” “our,” or the “Company”) is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of proprietary clinical grade cell and tissue hypothermic storage and cryopreservation freeze media. Our proprietary HypoThermosol® and CryoStor® platform of solutions are highly valued in the biobanking, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine markets. Our biopreservation media products are serum-free and protein-free, fully defined, and are formulated to reduce preservation-induced cell damage and death. Our enabling technology provides commercial companies and clinical researchers significant improvement in shelf life and post-preservation viability and function of cells, tissues, and organs. Additionally, for our direct, distributor, and contract customers, we perform custom formulation, fill, and finish services.

Basis of Presentation

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Pursuant to these rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures we normally include in our annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In management’s opinion, we have made all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Our interim period operating results do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 on file with the SEC.

There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2016 include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The subsidiary was deconsolidated as of December 31, 2016 and thus the financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2017 only include accounts of the company.

Equity Method Investments

We account for our 45% ownership in SAVSU using the equity method of accounting. This method states that if the investment provides us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee, we account for the investment under the equity method. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist if the Company’s ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee ranges between 20% and 50%, although other factors, such as representation on the investee’s board of directors, are considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is recorded at its initial carrying value in the consolidated balance sheet and is periodically adjusted for capital contributions, dividends received and our share of the investee’s earnings or losses together with other-than-temporary impairments which are recorded as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, SAVSU’s net loss totaled $509,706, of which our 45% ownership resulted in a $229,368 loss which was recorded as “Loss from equity-method investment in SAVSU.”

Concentrations of credit risk and business risk

In the three months ended March 31, 2017, we derived approximately 21% of our product revenue from two customers. In the three months ended March 31, 2016, we derived approximately 12% of our product revenue from one customer. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. At March 31, 2017, one customer accounted for approximately 22% of total gross accounts receivable. At December 31, 2016, three customers accounted for approximately 45% of total gross accounts receivable. 

Revenue from customers located in foreign countries represented 22% and 21% of total revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. All revenue from foreign customers are denominated in United States dollars. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15). The updated guidance clarifies how companies present and classify certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. Adoption of ASU 2016-15 is required for fiscal reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years with early adoption being permitted. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-15 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU-2016-09). The updated guidance simplifies and changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification of certain items in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU-2016-09 at the beginning of the first quarter of 2017. Due to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 an accounting policy change was made to account for forfeitures as they occur and not estimated. No other material changes resulted from adopting ASU 2016-09. We used the modified retrospective method for this adoption.

The table below shows the accumulated deficit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

In February 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases: Topic 842 (ASU 2016-02) that replaces existing lease guidance. The new standard is intended to provide enhanced transparency and comparability by requiring lessees to record right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet. Under the new guidance, leases will continue to be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged under ASU 2016-02. Adoption of ASU 2016-02 is required for fiscal reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years with early adoption being permitted. The new standard is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented with various optional practical expedients. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the pending adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements. 

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities: Topic 825 (ASU 2016-01). The updated guidance enhances the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. Adoption of ASU 2016-01 is required for fiscal reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2016-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes: Topic 740 (ASU 2015-17). Current GAAP requires the deferred taxes for each jurisdiction to be presented as a net current asset or liability and net noncurrent asset or liability. This requires a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction analysis based on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which the underlying temporary differences relate, or, in the case of loss or credit carryforwards, based on the period in which the attribute is expected to be realized. Any valuation allowance is then required to be allocated on a pro rata basis, by jurisdiction, between current and noncurrent deferred tax assets. The new guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. As a result, each jurisdiction will now only have one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. The guidance does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting within a jurisdiction. The Company adopted ASU-2015-17 at the beginning of the first quarter of 2017 which had no significant impact on the financial statements as the net deferred tax assets are fully reserved.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory: Topic 330 (ASU 2015-11). Topic 330 currently requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. Market could be replacement cost, net realizable value, or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin. ASU 2015-11 requires that inventory measured using either the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost method be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The Company adopted ASU-2015-11 at the beginning of the first quarter of 2017 which had no significant impact on the financial statements.

On May 28, 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Topic 606, requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. The updated standard becomes effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, although the Company will be required to make additional disclosures under the new guidance. 

With the exception of the new standards discussed above, there have been no new accounting pronouncements not yet effective that have significance, or potential significance, to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. Fair Value Measurement  

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” (“ASC Topic 820”), the Company measures its cash and cash equivalents and short term investments at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC Topic 820 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC Topic 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company does not have liabilities that are measured at fair value.

The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, based on the three-tier fair value hierarchy:

The fair values of bank deposits and money market funds classified as Level 1 were derived from quoted market prices as active markets for these instruments exist. The Company has no level 2 or level 3 financial assets. The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

3. Inventory  

Inventory consists of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

4. Deferred Rent  

Deferred rent consists of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

During the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded $31,750 and $31,749, respectively, in deferred rent amortization of these landlord funded leasehold improvements.

Straight line rent adjustment represents the difference between cash rent payments and the recognition of rent expense on a straight-line basis over the terms of the lease.

5. Share-based Compensation          

Service Vesting Based Stock Options

The following is a summary of service vesting based related stock option activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2017, and the status of stock options outstanding at March 31, 2017:

Performance-based Stock Options

The Company’s Board of Directors has implemented a Management Performance Bonus Plan for 2017. Based on achieving varying levels of specified revenue for the year ending December 31, 2017, up to 1,000,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock may be vested. The options have an exercise price of $1.64, and if revenue levels are met, vest 50% on the release of the Company’s audited financial statements for 2017, and 50% one year thereafter. If the minimum performance targets are not achieved, no options will vest. The Company currently deems it probably the 1,000,000 options will vest and is recognizing stock compensation for these options over the requisite service period.

As of March 31, 2017, there was $1,309,683 of aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding stock options, including $634,677 of aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable stock options. Intrinsic value is the total pretax intrinsic value for all “in-the-money” options (i.e., the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the quarter and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2017. This amount will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock. During the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 intrinsic value of awards exercised was $70,714 and $4,253, respectively. Weighted average grant date fair value for options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 was $1.13 and $1.29 per share, respectively.

The fair value of share-based payments made with stock options to employees and non-employee directors was estimated on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes model using the following weighted average assumptions.

We recognized stock compensation expense of $295,831 and $47,809, related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively. As of March 31, 2017, we had approximately $2,343,697 of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options. We expect to recognize this compensation expense over a weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years.

Restricted Stock

On January 27, 2017 the board granted 207,350 restricted stock awards to non-executive employees under the Amended & Restated 2013 Performance Incentive Plan. The grants vest 25% after the first anniversary with the remainder vesting quarterly for 36 months. The following is a summary of restricted stock activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2017, and the status of unvested restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2017:

The aggregate fair value of the awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $364,936 which represents the market value of BioLife common stock on the date that the restricted stock awards were granted. The aggregate fair value of the restricted stock awards that vested was $41,097 and $95,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively.

We recognized stock compensation expense of $34,064 and $98,718, related to restricted stock awards for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively. As of March 31, 2017, there was $488,396 in unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock awards. We expect to recognize those costs over 3.3 years.

We recorded total stock compensation expense for the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, as follows:

Management adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017 and no longer applies an estimated forfeiture rate. As a result, we had a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings and additional paid in capital of $27,908 resulting from adoption. The estimated forfeiture rate derived from historical employee termination data applied for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 was approximately 8.1%.

6. Warrants 

At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had 7,603,141 warrants outstanding and exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $4.46. The outstanding warrants have expiration dates between May 2017 and May 2021. 

7. Net Loss per Common Share                  

Basic net loss per common share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents are excluded for the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, since the effect is anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net losses. Common stock equivalents include stock options, warrants and unvested restricted stock.

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding, and the potentially dilutive securities excluded from loss per share computations because they are anti-dilutive, are as follows as of March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively:

8. Commitments & Contingencies

Leases

We lease approximately 30,000 square feet in our Bothell, Washington headquarters. The term of our lease continues until July 31, 2021 with two options to extend the term of the lease, each of which is for an additional period of five years, with the first extension term commencing, if at all, on August 1, 2021, and the second extension term commencing, if at all, immediately following the expiration of the first extension term. In accordance with the amended lease agreement, our monthly base rent is approximately $57,000 at March 31, 2017, with scheduled annual increases each August and again in October for the most recent amendment. We are also required to pay an amount equal to the Company’s proportionate share of certain taxes and operating expenses.

Employment agreements

We have employment agreements with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Marketing and Vice President of Sales. None of these employment agreements is for a definitive period, but rather each will continue indefinitely until terminated in accordance with its terms. The agreements provide for a base annual salary, payable in monthly (or shorter) installments. In addition, the agreement with the Chief Executive Officer provides for incentive bonuses at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Under certain conditions and for certain of these officers, we may be required to pay additional amounts upon terminating the officer or upon the officer resigning for good reason.

Litigation

From time to time, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business, none of which are currently material to the Company’s business.

9. Long-Term Debt

As of December 31, 2016, the total principal balance and estimated fair value of our long-term debt was $3.0 million. As of March 31, 2017, the total carrying value and estimated fair value of our long-term debt was $4.0 million. These estimated fair values are based on Level 3 inputs. Interest rate of the Note approximates market interest rates. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the unamortized discount on the Note was $62,398 and $155,996, respectively.

Scheduled principal payments, including accrued interest through May 31, 2017 to be included in principal, are as follows:

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution readers that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, costs and expenses, interest rates, outcome of contingencies, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, business strategies, cost savings, objectives of management and other statements that are not historical facts. You can find many of these statements by looking for words like “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” or similar expressions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Examples of these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from current expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include those factors described in greater detail in the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or, in the case of documents referred to or incorporated by reference, the date of those documents.

All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable U.S. securities law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Overview

Management’s discussion and analysis provides additional insight into the Company and is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC.

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1987 under the name Trans Time Medical Products, Inc. In 2002, the Company, then known as Cryomedical Sciences, Inc., and engaged in manufacturing and marketing cryosurgical products, completed a merger with our wholly-owned subsidiary, BioLife Solutions, Inc., which was engaged as a developer and marketer of biopreservation media products for cells and tissues. Following the merger, we changed our name to BioLife Solutions, Inc.

Our proprietary, clinical grade HypoThermosol® FRS and CryoStor® biopreservation media products are marketed to the regenerative medicine, biobanking and drug discovery markets, including hospital-based stem cell transplant centers, pharmaceutical companies, cord blood and adult stem cell banks, hair transplant centers, and suppliers of cells to the drug discovery, toxicology testing and diagnostic markets. All of our biopreservation media products are serum-free and protein-free, fully defined, and are manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) using United States Pharmacopia (USP)/Multicompendial or the highest available grade components.

Our patented biopreservation media products are formulated to reduce preservation-induced, delayed-onset cell damage and death. Our platform enabling technology provides our customers significant shelf life extension of biologic source material and final cell products, and also greatly improved post-preservation cell, tissue, and organ viability and function.

The discoveries made by our scientists and consultants relate to how cells, tissues, and organs respond to the stress of hypothermic storage, cryopreservation, and the thawing process. These discoveries enabled the formulation of innovative biopreservation media products that protect biologic material from preservation-related cellular injury, much of which is not apparent immediately after return to normothermic body temperature. Our product formulations have demonstrated notable reduction in apoptotic (programmed) and necrotic (pathologic) cell death mechanisms and are enabling the clinical and commercial development of dozens of innovative regenerative medicine products.

Additionally, we own a 45% interest in biologistex CCM, LLC dba SAVSU Technologies (“SAVSU”), a Delaware limited liability company. SAVSU is in the business of acquiring, developing, maintaining, owning, operating, marketing and selling an integrated platform of a cloud-based information service and precision thermal shipping products. The evo™ line is a line of “smart shippers” designed for the shipment of materials, which must be maintained frozen, at 2-8˚C and/or controlled room temperature temperatures and where near real time monitoring of temperature, location, and payload status information is necessary. A sophisticated electronics package embedded in the evo provides streaming data to the biologistex web-based application; where real time shipment status, history, and reports can be generated. Designed for small volume shipments; it fills a critical need in chain-of-custody scenarios for temperature sensitive shipments of cells, tissues, and other cell based products. On December 31, 2016, we restructured our biologistex CCM, LLC joint venture (“biologistex” prior to December 31, 2016 or “SAVSU” December 31, 2016 and thereafter) with Savsu Technologies, LLC (“STLLC”), whereby we contributed certain assets, including our outstanding loan owed by biologistex, and STLLC contributed certain assets, including all cold chain management intellectual property, into SAVSU. Prior to the restructuring, we owned a 52% ownership interest in biologistex. As a result for consideration given by both parties, we own a 45% interest in SAVSU, which is subsequently reduced to 40% on December 31, 2017 and then to 25% on December 31, 2018.

Highlights for the First Quarter of 2017

Results of Operations

Our revenue, results of operations and cash balances are likely to fluctuate significantly from quarter-to-quarter. These fluctuations are due to a number of factors, specifically the progress of our customers’ clinical trials, where the pace of enrollment affects customer orders for our products. The majority of our net sales come from a relatively small number of customers and a limited number of market sectors. Each of these sectors is subject to macroeconomic conditions as well as trends and conditions that are sector specific. Any weakness in the market sectors in which our customers are concentrated could affect our business and results of operations.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Month Periods Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

Percentage comparisons have been omitted within the following table where they are not considered meaningful.

Revenue and Gross Margin

Biopreservation Media Product Sales. Our core products are sold through both direct and indirect channels to customers in the regenerative medicine, biobanking and drug discovery markets. Sales of our core proprietary products in the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased 28% compared to the same period in 2016, due primarily to an increase in volume and selling price per liter sold due to increased orders from the regenerative medicine segment. Proprietary revenue growth was driven by a 51% year over year increase from customers in the regenerative medicine segment and 20% increase in our US and international distributors. We expect to see continued growth in adoption and use of our proprietary biopreservation media products.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales consists of raw materials, labor and overhead expenses. Cost of sales in the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased compared to the same period in 2016 due to increased sales of our biopreservation media products and write off of expired raw materials which was partially offset by an underutilization adjustment in the same period in 2016.

Gross Margin. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 61% in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 58% in the three months ended March 31, 2016. For the full year, we expect gross margin to be in the range of 55% to 60% on core biopreservation media products.

Revenue Concentration. In the three months ended March 31, 2017, we derived approximately 21% of our product revenue from two customers. In the three months ended March 31, 2016, we derived approximately 12% of our product revenue from one customer. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were:

Research and Development. Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and other personnel-related expenses, consulting and other outside services, laboratory supplies, and other costs. We expense all research and development costs as incurred, with the exception of certain costs associated with the development of customized internal-use software systems that were capitalized in 2016. Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016, due primarily to the restructuring of our biologistex joint venture ($197,110) which was partially offset by an increase in stock-based compensation related to new grants of performance based stock options and restricted stock. 

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and other personnel-related expenses, consulting, trade shows and advertising. Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016, due primarily to the restructuring of our biologistex joint venture ($313,782) which was partially offset by an increase in tradeshow and travel expenses and stock-based compensation related to new grants of performance based stock options and restricted stock.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses, non-cash stock-based compensation for administrative personnel and members of the board of directors, professional fees, such as accounting and legal, and corporate insurance. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016, due primarily to severance fees paid out to terminated executives in the first quarter of 2016, a decrease in investor relations consulting and conferences, deconsolidation of biologistex ($38,451) and lower corporate legal fees which was partially offset by an increase in stock-based compensation related to new grants of performance based stock options and restricted stock.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense. The interest expense in the three months ended March 31, 2017 is due to the note payable related to the credit facility financing arrangement entered into in May 2016.

Amortization of debt discount. The amortization of short-term debt discount in the three months ended March 31, 2017 is due to the amortization of the allocated value of the detachable warrants associated with the credit facility financing arrangement entered into in May 2016.

Loss on equity method investment. The non-cash loss associated with our proportionate share of the net loss incurred by SAVSU for the period based on our 45% ownership in our investment in SAVSU. As of December 31, 2016 we have no obligation to provide any future funding to SAVSU.

Interest income. The reduction in interest income in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 is due to the lower average short-term investments balance in 2017 compared to 2016.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On March 31, 2017, we had $2.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 million at December 31, 2016. Based on our current expectations with respect to our revenue and operating expenses, we expect that our current level of cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. If our revenues do not grow as expected and/or we are not able to manage our expenses sufficiently, including required payment pursuant to the terms of the Note issued to WAVI, we may need to obtain additional equity or debt financing. We may also seek equity or debt financing opportunistically if we believe that market conditions are conducive to obtaining such financing. We currently have an S-3 registration statement filed with the SEC which may be utilized to obtain additional financing.

We continue to monitor and evaluate opportunities to strengthen our balance sheet and competitive position over the long term. These actions may include acquisitions or other strategic transactions that we believe would generate significant advantages and substantially strengthen our business. The consideration we pay in such transactions may include, among other things, shares of our common stock, other equity or debt securities of our Company or cash. We may elect to seek debt or equity financing in anticipation of, or in connection with, such transactions or to fund or invest in any operations acquired thereby.

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash used in operating activities was $0.2 million compared to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Cash used in operating activities decreased primarily due to the restructuring of the biologistex joint venture and increased revenue compared to 2016 which reduced the net loss in the current period compared to 2016.

Net Cash Used In/Provided by Investing Activities

Net cash used by investing activities totaled $37,152 during the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase in cash used by investing activities was the result of cash provided in 2016 from the sales and maturities of short term investments, net of purchases of internal use software and equipment during the quarter. The cash used in the three months ended March 31, 2017 was the result of purchases of property and equipment.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $1.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $12,127 during the three months ended March 31, 2016. Net cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2017 was the result of proceeds received from our credit facility and employee stock option exercises. Net cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2016 was the result of proceeds received from employee stock option exercises.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of March 31, 2017, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of financial statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements as well as reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates, including, but not limited to those related to accounts receivable allowances, determination of fair value of share-based compensation, contingencies, income taxes, useful lives and impairment of intangible assets and internal use software, and expense accruals. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other factors that we believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed significantly from those policies and estimates disclosed under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates” in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC.

Contractual Obligations

We previously disclosed certain contractual obligations and contingencies and commitments relevant to us within the financial statements and Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on March 15, 2017. There have been no significant changes to these obligations in the three months ended March 31, 2017. For more information regarding our current contingencies and commitments, see note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included above.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    

Not applicable.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures    

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as required by the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2017, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Control. Our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our Company have been detected.

PART II: Other Information

None

Item 6. Exhibits

See accompanying Index to Exhibits included after the signature page of this report for a list of exhibits filed or furnished with this report.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BioLife Solutions, Inc.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS