BioLife Solutions Launches Ultraguard™ -70°C Phase Change Material (PCM) Accessory to Provide Backup Cooling in ULT Freezers and Dry Ice Alternative for Benchtop Biologic Material Storage

Rhea-AI Summary

BioLife Solutions (NASDAQ: BLFS) has launched Ultraguard, a groundbreaking non-toxic and non-flammable -70°C phase change material (PCM) designed for ultra-low temperature (ULT) protection. This innovative product serves two main applications: maintaining temperature during power outages in ULT freezers and providing a safer, more economical alternative to dry ice for benchtop storage of biologic materials. Ultraguard addresses storage challenges posed by extreme weather and electrical grid issues, enhancing operational reliability for clients. Beta tests with significant customers, including major logistics providers, confirm its effectiveness.

Positive

• Launch of Ultraguard, a non-toxic, non-flammable -70°C phase change material.
• Addresses critical storage needs amidst power outages and dry ice supply challenges.
• Successfully beta tested with major clients, indicating strong market demand.
• Potential to replace dry ice, offering a safer, more stable alternative.

Negative

• None.

Exclusive global supplier of non-toxic, non-flammable PCM; first to operate at -70°C, meeting critical temperature requirement of biologic materials.

BOTHELL, Wash., March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BioLife Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLFS), a leading supplier of class-defining bioproduction tools and services for the cell and gene therapies ("CGT") and broader biopharma markets, today announced the launch of Ultraguard, the first ever non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-flammable -70°C phase change material ("PCM"), for ultra-low temperature (ULT) protection. The two primary customer applications for use of Ultraguard include temperature holdover in cases where ULT freezers are without power for various reasons, and in benchtop biologic material storage as an alternative to dry ice, addressing any limitations or risks associated with supply, cost, or safety.

"We are excited to provide more value to our life science customers through the risk mitigation benefits of Ultraguard" said Todd Berard, Chief Marketing Officer for BioLife Solutions. "From added ULT freezer backup temperature security to a potentially disruptive alternative to dry ice, we continue to innovate and look forward to enabling global access to Ultraguard as we explore potential customer use cases."

With the increase in more complex biologic storage and transport needs, ULT protection has become an essential tool needed for the life science industry. However, this type of storage remains challenging to maintain throughout the cold chain in the face of heightened weather events, electrical grid uncertainty, and possible black and brownouts. It can also be geographically limiting through grid power and dry ice availability. By combining ULT freezers with -70°C PCM, organizations now have an added option for "emergency backup" to protect against these uncertainties. The effectiveness of this product has been successfully beta tested with key BioLife customers, including a top logistics provider and a major global health organization.

The Ultraguard PCM form factor is an ergonomic-friendly plastic bottle or "brick" that is "charged" or conditioned from a liquid to a frozen solid state by freezing below -80°C to store up the necessary amount of cooling energy. Visual confirmation of charge completion is provided by a color change and once the brick has crystalized, it is ready to extend ultracold temperature times inside a ULT freezer cabinet. 

Berard continued, "As we partner with various top logistics providers, we will continue to explore the additional dry ice replacement scenarios as we see the addressable markets for Ultraguard will include the global installed base of ULT freezers as well as the global consumption of dry ice for biologic material storage and transport."

Please go to the Ultraguard PCM landing page to learn more and connect with a sales representative.

About BioLife Solutions

BioLife Solutions is a leading supplier of class-defining bioproduction tools and services for the cell and gene therapy and broader biopharma markets. Our tools portfolio includes our proprietary CryoStor^® and HypoThermosol^® biopreservation media for shipping and storage, the ThawSTAR^® family of automated, water-free thawing products, evo^® cold chain management system, high capacity cryogenic storage freezers, Stirling Ultracold mechanical freezers, SciSafe biologic storage services, and Sexton Biotechnologies cell processing tools. For more information, please visit www.biolifesolutions.com and follow BioLife on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Cautions Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our deployment of Ultraguard, Ultraguard's ability to bring value to our customers and to serve as an alternative to dry ice, our ability to enable global access to Ultraguard, our ability to find additional addressable markets for Ultraguard, and our plans, objectives, expectations, beliefs and intentions and other statements including words such as "hope," "anticipate," "may," "believe," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue" and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including among other things, our market adoption of the Ultraguard and our other products, our ability to continue to implement our business strategy, market volatility, competition, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, and those other factors described in our risk factors set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We undertake no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein or to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, other than as may be required by applicable law.

At the Company
Troy Wichterman 
Chief Financial Officer
(425) 402-1400
twichterman@biolifesolutions.com

Investors
LHA Investor Relations
Jody Cain
(310) 691-7100
jcain@lhai.com

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SOURCE BioLife Solutions, Inc.

FAQ

What is Ultraguard by BioLife Solutions?

Ultraguard is a non-toxic, non-flammable -70°C phase change material launched by BioLife Solutions for ultra-low temperature protection.

How does Ultraguard benefit ULT freezer operations?

Ultraguard provides backup cooling during power outages and acts as a safe alternative to dry ice for biologic material storage.

When was Ultraguard launched?

Ultraguard was launched on March 1, 2023.

What markets does Ultraguard target?

Ultraguard targets the life sciences sector, particularly for cell and gene therapies needing ultra-low temperature storage.

What is the stock symbol for BioLife Solutions?

The stock symbol for BioLife Solutions is BLFS.