BioLife Solutions Launches New Cell Thawing Media Products in Response to Worldwide Shortage of Dextran Solutions

10% Dextran 40 in 0.9% NaCl or 5% Dextrose Packaged in Bulk Bag Containers for Cell Preparation

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Feb 11, 2015, 06:00 ET

BOTHELL, Wash., Feb. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BioLife Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLFS), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of proprietary clinical grade hypothermic storage and cryopreservation freeze media and precision thermal shipping products for cells and tissues ("BioLife" or the "Company"), today announced that it has commenced GMP manufacturing of low molecular weight (LMD) Dextran solutions for use in thawing human cells after cryopreservation. The Company has launched these new products in response to inquiries from numerous customers and clinicians who have been subjected to an extended worldwide shortage of dextran solutions that are used off-label to transition frozen cells to room temperature.

Aby J. Mathew, PhD, Chief Technology Officer at BioLife, remarked on the production of these new products by stating, "We have heard from many current and prospective customers in the clinical cell therapy community asking if we can assist them in dealing with the current shortage of dextran solutions used to thaw cells following cryopreservation. We assembled a focused team within BioLife to assess this opportunity and are pleased to be able to offer these critical cell processing media products, manufactured per GMP under the same quality system as our flagship CryoStor^® cell freeze media and HypoThermosol^® cell and tissue storage and shipping media".

BioLife's Cell Thawing Media products are manufactured per GMP guidelines using USP components, water for injection (WFI) quality water, and are subject to release criteria including sterility per USP <71>, endotoxin per USP <85>, pH, osmolality, and appearance for no visible particulates.

Product orders are being accepted at this time, with initial shipments estimated for the week of March 15, 2015. Product information follows:

Product Name	Part Number	Package

Cell Thawing Media 10% Dextran 40	980203	250mL Bag
(in 0.9% NaCl)

Cell Thawing Media 10% Dextran 40	981203	250mL Bag
(in 5% Dextrose)

To place an order, please call 866.424.6543.

About BioLife Solutions

BioLife Solutions develops, manufactures and markets hypothermic storage and cryopreservation solutions and precision thermal shipping products for cells, tissues, and organs. BioLife also performs contract aseptic media formulation, fill, and finish services. The Company's proprietary HypoThermosol^® and CryoStor^® platform of solutions are highly valued in the biobanking, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine markets. BioLife's biopreservation media products are serum-free and protein-free, fully defined, and are formulated to reduce preservation-induced cell damage and death. BioLife's enabling technology provides commercial companies and clinical researchers significant improvement in shelf life and post-preservation viability and function of cells, tissues, and organs. For more information please visit www.biolifesolutions.com, and follow BioLife on Twitter.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements concerning the company's anticipated business and operations, the potential utility of and market for its products and services, potential revenue growth and market expansion, new products, and third party projections regarding the future market for regenerative medicine and cold chain packaging and instrumentation services. 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, uncertainty regarding market adoption of products; uncertainty regarding third party market projections; market volatility; competition; litigation; reliance upon SAVSU for completing the development and manufacturing of biologistex CCM's products; 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 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. 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.

Media & Investor Relations
Daphne Taylor
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(425) 402-1400
[email protected]

SOURCE BioLife Solutions, Inc.