BLFS

Healthcare

BioLife Solutions, Inc. · Medical - Instruments & Supplies · $1B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
39.1
Below Average

BioLife Solutions, Inc. scores 39.1/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Healthcare Sector
BLFS
39.1
Sector avg
32.4
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Good
Risk
Good
Valuation
Elevated

What is BioLife Solutions, Inc.?

BioLife Solutions supplies specialized tools and services to the cell and gene therapy industry. Headquartered in Bothell, Washington, the company serves customers across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.

BioLife Solutions generates revenue by developing and manufacturing biopreservation media, thawing systems, cold-chain shipping containers, and cryogenic storage equipment used in biologic therapy research and commercial manufacturing. Its products help researchers and manufacturers protect cell viability during freezing, storage, and transport. The company sells directly and through third-party distributors, serving both early-stage research labs and large-scale commercial bioproduction facilities.

BioLife Solutions was incorporated in 1987 and has grown alongside the emerging bioproduction sector.

  • HypoThermosol FRS and CryoStor biopreservation media
  • ThawSTAR automated vial and cryobag thawing systems
  • evo cloud-connected cold-chain shipping containers
  • Liquid nitrogen laboratory freezers and cryogenic equipment
  • Biological and pharmaceutical storage services

Is BLFS a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates BLFS as Below Average overall.

The Growth pillar stands out as the clearest positive, reflecting the expanding demand for cell and gene therapy tools. The Risk pillar lands at a Neutral rating, suggesting the company does not carry outsized balance-sheet or operational risk relative to its small-cap peers.

Both the Quality and Moat pillars register as Weak, pointing to limited durable competitive advantages and below-average business quality metrics. The Valuation pillar is rated Elevated, meaning the market may already be pricing in a favorable growth scenario.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does BLFS pay dividends?

No — BioLife Solutions, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.

BLFS does not currently pay a dividend. Companies at this stage of the cell and gene therapy supply chain typically reinvest available capital into product development, manufacturing capacity, and market expansion rather than returning cash to shareholders. Income-focused investors should factor this into their overall portfolio planning.

When does BLFS report earnings?

BioLife Solutions reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

The company's Growth pillar rating suggests improving revenue trends tied to broader adoption of cell and gene therapies. However, the Weak Quality pillar indicates that translating top-line growth into consistent profitability remains a work in progress.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit BioLife Solutions' investor relations page directly.

BLFS Price History

-32.8% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in BioLife Solutions, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$7,099
That's a -29.0% total return, or -6.6% annualized.

Based on BioLife Solutions, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

BLFS Long-term Outlook

The fundamental outlook for BLFS is shaped by two competing forces. On one side, the Good Growth pillar reflects genuine tailwinds from the expanding cell and gene therapy market, where demand for biopreservation and cold-chain tools is rising. On the other side, the Weak Quality and Moat pillars suggest the company has not yet built the durable margins or competitive barriers that would make growth highly predictable. The Elevated Valuation pillar adds another layer of caution — the current price may leave limited room for error if growth disappoints.

Growth drivers

  • Rising commercial adoption of cell and gene therapies globally
  • Expanding product portfolio across biopreservation and cold-chain logistics
  • International market penetration across Europe, Middle East, and Africa

Key risks

  • Weak moat leaves revenue vulnerable to better-capitalized competitors
  • Elevated valuation reduces margin of safety if growth slows
  • Path to consistent profitability remains uncertain given Weak Quality rating

BLFS vs Peers

BioLife Solutions operates in a specialized niche but faces competition from companies with broader life-science tool portfolios and greater scale.

AZTASimilar UQS
Azenta, Inc.

Azenta offers a broader suite of life-science sample management and genomics services, giving it more diversified revenue streams than BLFS.

NNNNSimilar UQS
Anbio Biotechnology Class A Ordinary Shares

Anbio Biotechnology focuses on rapid diagnostic products, representing a different segment of the broader biotech tools market.

STAABLFS scores higher
STAAR Surgical Company

STAAR Surgical concentrates on implantable lenses for vision correction, competing for healthcare investor attention rather than directly for BLFS customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does BioLife Solutions do?

BioLife Solutions develops and manufactures tools used in cell and gene therapy research and commercial manufacturing. Its core products include biopreservation media, automated thawing systems, cold-chain shipping containers, and cryogenic storage equipment. The company serves customers across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and other international markets.

Does BLFS pay dividends?

No, BioLife Solutions does not currently pay a dividend. The company is focused on reinvesting resources into product development and market expansion within the growing cell and gene therapy supply chain. Investors seeking regular income should account for the absence of a dividend.

When does BLFS report earnings?

BioLife Solutions follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed companies. For the exact schedule and most recent results, check the investor relations section of the company's official website.

Is BLFS a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates BLFS as Below Average overall. The Growth pillar is a positive, but Weak Quality and Moat ratings alongside an Elevated Valuation suggest meaningful risks. Investors should weigh the growth opportunity against the lack of a durable competitive advantage and current pricing. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is BLFS overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for BLFS is rated Elevated, which indicates the stock may be priced above what the underlying business fundamentals would typically support. This does not guarantee a price decline, but it does suggest limited margin of safety if the company's growth trajectory disappoints.

How does BLFS compare to its competitors?

Compared to peers like Azenta, BLFS operates in a narrower niche focused on biopreservation and cold-chain tools for cell and gene therapy. Its smaller scale and Weak Moat rating suggest it has less pricing power and fewer diversified revenue streams than larger life-science tool companies.

What is BLFS's market cap bracket?

BioLife Solutions is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a category where liquidity can be lower and share price volatility tends to be higher than large- or mega-cap peers. Small-cap stocks can offer growth potential but typically carry elevated risk.

Who founded BioLife Solutions?

BioLife Solutions was incorporated in 1987 and has evolved over decades into a focused supplier for the cell and gene therapy industry. For detailed founding history and leadership background, the company's official about page and SEC filings are the most reliable sources.

Is BLFS a long-term quality indicator?

From a long-term quality standpoint, BLFS presents a mixed picture. The Good Growth pillar reflects a real and expanding market opportunity in cell and gene therapy. However, the Weak Quality and Moat pillars indicate the company has not yet demonstrated the durable competitive advantages typically associated with high-quality long-term holdings.

What is the main competitive advantage of BioLife Solutions?

BioLife Solutions' primary edge lies in its specialized biopreservation media formulations — particularly HypoThermosol FRS and CryoStor — which are designed to reduce cell damage during freezing and thawing. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, suggesting competitors could replicate or substitute these offerings over time.

What sector does BLFS belong to?

BLFS operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within the life-science tools and services segment. It focuses on the upstream supply chain for cell and gene therapy, providing the preservation media, equipment, and logistics tools that therapy developers depend on during research and manufacturing.

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Pro Analysis

BLFS — Score History

3035404550Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 18 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 23, 202639.16.225.079.466.136.70.0
May 22, 202639.16.225.079.466.136.50.0
May 21, 202639.16.225.079.466.136.70.0
May 20, 202639.16.225.079.466.136.9-0.1
May 19, 202639.26.225.079.466.137.10.0
May 16, 202639.26.225.079.466.137.50.0
May 13, 202639.26.225.079.466.137.40.0
May 11, 202639.26.225.079.466.137.2-0.9
May 10, 202640.10.025.079.466.154.1+0.5
May 8, 202639.68.225.079.466.136.8+1.1

BLFS — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

6.2/100 (25%)

BioLife Solutions, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsWeak

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

79.4/100 (20%)

BioLife Solutions, Inc. is growing rapidly with strong revenue and earnings expansion.

Recent Revenue TrendModerate

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

66.1/100 (15%)

BioLife Solutions, Inc. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.

Financial LeverageModerate

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioStrong

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

36.7/100 (15%)

BioLife Solutions, Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.

Earnings YieldWeak

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowWeak

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

Moat

25/100 (25%)

BioLife Solutions, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for BLFS.

Score Composition

Quality
6.2×25%1.6
Growth
79.4×20%15.9
Risk
66.1×15%9.9
Valuation
36.7×15%5.5
Moat
25.0×25%6.3
Total
39.1Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the BLFS UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for BioLife Solutions, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses BioLife Solutions, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether BioLife Solutions, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.