Hat tip to @ryshab for discovering another biologics company with promising growth prospects named BioStem Technologies (BSEM).
The company is a 300M market cap company. They make wound care solutions that heal faster than traditional gauze. The product sells for roughly $1200-$1500 per treatment, and their products have over a 95% gross margin as the source material is made from biologics.
The company’s financial metrics are accelerating rapidly looking at these numbers. Additionally, they pre-reported revenue numbers where gross margin went even higher to 96.5%
Revenue
3.5M → 11.4 → 41.9 → 74.5 → 82.6 → 102.9 (preannounced)
EBITDA
-0.6M → -2.1 → 4.7 → 8.9 → 9.3
Net income
-1.5M → -2.7 → 3.3 → 6.4 → 6.8
The company is already profitable on over 100M of quarterly revenue.
There are two issues to address for why this company is only valued at 300M, when typically these financials would correspond to a multi billion dollar market cap.
The first is the company is listed on the pink sheets which would normally be a red flag for me. However, the company applied to be up-listed to the Nasdaq, and from a detailed review of their earnings, investor relations page, and filings similar to a 10-K I believe their up-listing to Nasdaq is likely. The stated reason for starting out on the pink sheets was that it was for lower regulations and cost efficiencies. Additionally, the company has already moved from the OTC Pink sheets to the OTCQB Venture market in December 2022, showing their commitment to meet regulations and up-list.
The second big issue I see is investor perception around their product which source material comes from the placenta after a live birth. Since births are happening all the time, there is a constant source of practically free material from hospitals that they work with, and this explains the high gross margin. My initial concern was that with a new administration, this type of research of development could he halted. However, I discovered it is embryonic stem cell research the R administrations object to, not this type of material which has laws in places like Utah from 2024 stating development of this material is legal.
Just keep in mind this is a small company with 37 employees, based out of Pompano Beach, FL. With a 300M market cap, and being listed on the pink sheets that presents more risk than we would typically look for on Saul’s board. However, I believe the rewards on up-listing to Nasdaq with their impressive financials outweighs the risks here which I why I started a position.
Adding a few more details about the business,
- cash 14.6M, debt 4.5M
- forward p/e 7.3x (the few analysts who cover BSEM project a very low PE)
- FY 2024 revenue 301.8M vs 16.7M, +1702%
- Q4 revenue preannounced 102.9M
- Q4 gross profit 99.3M vs 10.9M year ago, +811%
- robust adoption of AmnioWrap2 OneView in post acute care market
- Venture Medical, exclusive sales and marketing partner
- small acquisition of Progena Care, broadening product portfolio in wound care
- perinatal tissue is used to make an “allograft”
- BioREtain processing method, advanced wound care, reviewed accredited by AATB with cGTP and cGMP (good manufacturing processes and other certifications seem all in line)
- portfolio: AmnioWrap2, VENDAJE, VENDAJE AT, VENDAJE OPTIC
- each BioStem placental allograft is processed at FDA registered and AATB accredited site in Pompano Beach, FL
- Florida laws protect access to placental therapies
- chronic wounds including diabetic ulcers is a 9-13B TAM
- Medicare reimbursement pricing for two of their products
- VENDAJE received national pricing approval for Medicare October 2024
- 103M revenue on $1200-$1500 per wrap suggests treating with 68,600 - 85,750 wraps in the quarter
Some notes from their last conference call back in November,
- Jason Matuszewski, founder and CEO
- adj EBITDA 9.9M
- cash position improved to 14.6M
- gross margin remains solid at 95%
- working with congressional leaders and industry partners advocating for further Medicare coverage
- VENDAJE AC launch was in Q4 2024
- final stages of a study for venous leg ulcers
- Form 10 filed September 27 with SEC to get up-listed on Nasdaq
- revenue 82.6M vs 3.6M year ago
- workforce expansion, some higher fees associated with distributor agreements for AmnioWrap2
- gross margin going up from improved manufacturing and operational efficiencies
- GAAP net income for third consecutive quarter
- October makes the kick off a “pivotal” clinical trial on diabetic foot ulcers
- the product acts a barrier or cover for chronic wounds
Overall this company has promising growth prospects, strong profitability, and a low valuation. While there are large risks coming with being on the pink sheets, I feel the opportunity here greatly outweighs the risk.