In early November, Biolife Sciences OTCPK: (BLFE) announced its intention to go through the uplisting process from OTCPK to OTCQB – transitioning from the pink sheets to the quotation bureau gives the company that extra stamp of legitimacy as disclosure & reporting requirements are more rigorous. While it’s a positive signal, cautious optimism is warranted as officially uplisting can take between 6-12 months.
For investors unfamiliar, Biolife’s core competency lies in transitioning the newer creations of innovative companies from the sample production phase to wide-scale distribution.
The firm recently partnered with Work in Motion to create & bring to market copper-infused bamboo gardening gloves. Not only are these made from a natural material, but the copper component improves blood circulation for the wearer and can be a game changer for those suffering from carpal tunnel and arthritis.
Like many newer companies trading over the counter, Biolife is choosing to go after & dominate a specific niche. The company’s category is Orthomolecular medicine & natural health – helping individuals consume the right amount of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, omega fatty acids, and other nutrients to either prevent or alleviate the symptoms of ailments.
Due to this focus on alternative, holistic remedies, it’s no surprise that Biolife’s latest announcement involves hemp-infused consumables – cough syrups, energy shots, teas, and pet edibles.
Many companies in growth mode make the mistake of “diworsification”, meaning they stretch themselves too thin by going outside their area of expertise. However, this product offshoot is a natural progression for Biolife.
The risk factor is that this is a crowded space, to say the least. But the attraction is warranted. The cannabinoid market is projected to expand at a compounded annual growth rate of 20.48% from 2022 to 2027. If you take out the human component and just focus on the pet market, the projected CAGR is still at 12% during that same 5-year period.
This massive Total Addressable Market also has the wind at its back given that consumer acceptance of cannabis-infused products is steadily rising, especially when the products are lower-dosage, taste good, and don’t require smoking.
Management will need time to execute the hemp strategy, and there are sure to be bumpy quarters as the company invests for the long term. But despite the uncertainty, patient investors would be wise to keep it on the watchlist as the uplisting process progresses.
Bob Beaty
For over 30 years, Bob Beaty has been explaining concepts and companies to the global investment community. One of the original writers for Jim Cramer’s Thestreet.com, he also wrote for AOL (Can/US), the Globe and Mail, and the Huffington Post. Over that period, he illuminated small-cap companies to investors with wit and pith but mostly opinion and facts. Investing should be fun. Pedantic, staid content is no fun.
Before embarking on his writing career, Bob had a successful international journey in the finance industry. He served as a broker, derivatives product manager, and a Director of London's Credit Suisse subsidiary. His career spanned across major financial hubs including Toronto, Vancouver, and the UK, giving him a unique global perspective. (He is still fondly remembering those English client lunches.)
Other than everything Groucho Marx and George Carlin ever said, Bob lives by a simple credo;
‘Never do anything the person standing in front of you can't understand.’ Hunter S. Thompson.
Let’s go.
