BioHarvest Sciences Announces First-Ever Successful Stable Cell Culture Development of Rare Fragrance-Producing Plant Using Proprietary Botanical Synthesis Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

BioHarvest Sciences (NASDAQ: BHST) announced that its CDMO division completed Stage 1 of a multi-stage program, creating the first-ever stable cell culture for a rare, endangered fragrance plant using its Botanical Synthesis platform.

BioHarvest retains 20% ownership of developed compositions; biomass for pre-commercial testing is expected in 6–9 months, with industrial-scale manufacturing anticipated in 12–18 months. Company cites a $23B premium fragrance segment within a $58.9B industry opportunity.

Positive

• First-ever stable cell culture created for a rare fragrance plant
• 20% ownership retained in developed fragrance compositions
• Pre-commercial biomass expected in 6–9 months
• Industrial-scale manufacturing anticipated in 12–18 months
• Targets $23B premium fragrance segment within $58.9B industry

Negative

• Only Stage 1 completed; further stages required before commercialization
• Key partner and target plant withheld under NDA, limiting disclosure

News Market Reaction – BHST

+1.64%

1 alert

+1.64% News Effect

On the day this news was published, BHST gained 1.64%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Premium fragrance segment size: $23B Global scents market size: $58.9B Ownership of compositions: 20% +2 more

5 metrics

Premium fragrance segment size $23B Estimated premium fragrance market opportunity within global scents industry

Global scents market size $58.9B Estimated size of global scents and fragrances industry

Ownership of compositions 20% BioHarvest retained ownership in multi-stage fragrance CDMO program

Pre-commercial testing timeline 6–9 months Expected availability of biomass for pre-commercial testing after Stage 2 starts

Industrial-scale timeline 12–18 months Anticipated full development and industrial-scale manufacturing timeline

Market Reality Check

Price: $4.35 Vol: Volume 7,127 is below the...

low vol

$4.35 Last Close

Volume Volume 7,127 is below the 20-day average of 17,361, suggesting limited pre-news positioning. low

Technical Shares trade below the 200-day MA, with price at 4.315 versus MA 7.02, reflecting a prior downtrend.

Peers on Argus

Sector peers show mixed moves today, with some up (e.g., LFVN +2.8%, FTLF +3.01%...

1 Down

Sector peers show mixed moves today, with some up (e.g., LFVN +2.8%, FTLF +3.01%, HAIN +1.92%) and others down (e.g., ABVE -3.09%, DDC -1.3%). Momentum scanner only flags one peer (ATPC, down 7.65%), indicating this fragrance CDMO milestone appears more stock-specific than sector-driven.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 26 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 26	Brand leadership update	Positive	-0.9%	VINIA named No.1 U.S. resveratrol polyphenol brand with strong revenue metrics.
Mar 17	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-4.6%	Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 results release and conference call timing.
Mar 05	Board transition	Neutral	-3.7%	Director resignation and appointment of Prof. Hezi Levy to the board.
Mar 03	Conference participation	Positive	-2.4%	Participation in Roth Conference and highlighting funding and growth focus.
Jan 07	Year-end business update	Positive	+3.7%	Year-end letter with >US$36M run rate, >60% margins, and growth financing.

Pattern Detected

Recent news, even when operationally positive, often preceded short-term share price declines.

Recent Company History

This announcement adds a CDMO milestone to a string of growth-focused updates. Recent news highlighted VINIA becoming the No.1 U.S. resveratrol polyphenol brand with U.S. revenue above $30 million and an annualized run rate above US$36 million. The company has emphasized expansion in CDMO and consumer products, board strengthening, and conference visibility. Despite these positives, most prior news in 2026 saw negative next-day price reactions, making today’s fragrance-platform development another catalyst against a cautious trading backdrop.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights BioHarvest’s use of its Botanical Synthesis platform to create a stable...

Analysis

This announcement highlights BioHarvest’s use of its Botanical Synthesis platform to create a stable cell culture for a rare, endangered fragrance plant, positioning it within a premium segment estimated at $23B of a $58.9B industry. Retaining 20% ownership of resulting compositions supports a royalty-driven model, with timelines of 6–9 months to pre-commercial testing and 12–18 months to industrial scale. In context of prior VINIA and CDMO growth updates, the news underscores diversification into high-value fragrance applications.

Key Terms

cdmo, botanical synthesis, cell culture, sesquiterpenes, +3 more

7 terms

cdmo financial

"BioHarvest" ), a leader in Botanical Synthesis technology and sustainable..."

A contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) is a company that provides specialized services to help develop and produce pharmaceutical products for other businesses. Think of it as a contract factory that takes a company's recipe and makes the product on their behalf. For investors, CDMOs are important because they support the growth of pharmaceutical companies and can be key partners in bringing new medicines to market.

botanical synthesis technical

"leader in Botanical Synthesis technology and sustainable plant-based..."

Botanical synthesis is the lab-based creation or replication of plant-derived compounds, either by chemically building the molecules or by using engineered organisms to produce them, like recreating a recipe in a factory instead of harvesting from a garden. For investors it matters because it can lower costs, secure supply, protect patents, and affect regulatory review and market access for products that rely on consistent, scalable plant ingredients.

cell culture technical

"first-ever successful creation of a stable cell culture for this rare..."

Cell culture is the process of growing living cells in a controlled laboratory environment outside of a whole organism, like keeping a small patch of tissue alive in a petri dish or flask. Investors care because it’s how companies test drug effects, develop biologic medicines and vaccines, and scale manufacturing — think of it as a test kitchen and factory for therapies that reveals whether a product works, is safe, and can be produced reliably.

sesquiterpenes medical

"including sesquiterpenes and chromones, were successfully identified..."

A group of naturally occurring organic molecules produced by plants, fungi and some insects, sesquiterpenes are built from three small carbon building blocks and often give off distinctive smells or flavors. They matter to investors because they appear in fragrances, food ingredients, crop protection products and potential medicines, so discoveries or regulatory changes involving sesquiterpenes can affect product pipelines, market demand and company valuations like a versatile ingredient that can be used in many industries.

chromones medical

"including sesquiterpenes and chromones, were successfully identified..."

Chromones are a family of small chemical building blocks used in making medicines and other biologically active molecules; they have a particular ring-shaped structure that chemists use as a starting piece when designing drugs. They matter to investors because chromone-based compounds can become the core of new therapies, influencing a drug developer’s pipeline, patent value and regulatory prospects—similar to how a promising engine design can determine a carmaker’s future models and market worth.

biomass technical

"propagated in liquid medium to generate significant biomass. Once stage 2 commences..."

Organic material—such as wood, crop residues, manure, and certain types of algae—used as fuel or raw material to produce heat, electricity, biofuels, or bioproducts. Investors care because biomass is a form of renewable energy and industrial feedstock whose availability, price, regulation and sustainability profile can affect energy company profits, project economics and long-term demand much like a company depending on a steady supply of raw materials.

liquid medium technical

"cells stored in a proprietary cell bank will be propagated in liquid medium..."

A liquid medium is a water-based solution that contains nutrients and other components needed to support the growth or maintenance of cells, bacteria, or other biological materials in a laboratory or manufacturing setting. For investors, it matters because the choice and quality of the liquid medium affect how reliably a biotech process runs, how easily it scales to commercial production, and the cost and regulatory risk associated with contamination or inconsistent results—think of it as the soil and fertilizer for growing biological products.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

CDMO division has successfully completed Stage 1 under a development contract

Vancouver, British Columbia and Rehovot, Israel--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: BHST) (FSE: 8MV0) ("BioHarvest" or the "Company"), a leader in Botanical Synthesis technology and sustainable plant-based molecule development, today announced that its CDMO division has successfully completed Stage 1 of a multi-stage development program for a rare scent-producing plant used in the global fragrance industry. The program is being conducted under a contract signed approximately one year ago, and represents what BioHarvest believes to be the first-ever successful creation of a stable cell culture for this rare and endangered fragrance plant.

This milestone positions BioHarvest to enter the growing premium fragrance segment, estimated to represent a $23B market opportunity within the global $58.9B scents and fragrances industry*. This particular scent is widely regarded as one of the most valuable fragrance raw materials in the world, with premium grades commanding prices exceeding tens of thousands of U.S. dollars per kilogram and demand growing across the Middle East, Asia, and luxury Western perfume markets.

Ilan Sobel, CEO of BioHarvest Sciences, commented, "This first-ever achievement marks a major breakthrough for BioHarvest and represents a significant expansion into one of the most valuable segments of the global fragrance industry. Successfully creating stable cell cultures for such a unique plant demonstrates the power of our Botanical Synthesis platform and reinforces our ability to unlock rare, high-value plant-derived molecules at industrial scale. This milestone also strengthens our royalty-driven CDMO model and creates long-term value opportunities for our shareholders."

The development was achieved using BioHarvest's proprietary Botanical Synthesis Platform Technology, which enables the production of rare plant-derived fragrance compounds without the need to cultivate or harvest the original plant, which is classified as an endangered species and typically grows only in highly specific regions of Southeast Asia.

The rare molecules responsible for the scent and aroma of this highly coveted plant, including sesquiterpenes and chromones, were successfully identified in the Stage 1 cell cultures, with molecular profiles closely matching those found in the original plant. This achievement demonstrates the ability of BioHarvest's platform to replicate highly complex plant-based fragrance compositions, that include but not limited to the terpene's family of molecules, previously considered difficult or impossible to reproduce sustainably. Sesquiterpenes are natural plant compounds that help keep plants protected from environmental challenges. They are of interest for use in fragrances because they evaporate slowly, and as such they act as the base-notes giving scents their depth and a long-lasting aroma.

Under the terms of the stage 1 agreement, BioHarvest retains 20% ownership of the compositions developed through this multi-stage program, creating a long-term royalty-driven economic model as development advances toward commercialization. This structure aligns with BioHarvest's evolution from a traditional CDMO to a Partner Development and Manufacturing Organization (PDMO), where the company participates directly in downstream value creation.

The Major Principal of this partner firm, which is a prominent United Arab Emirates -based investment group**, commented, "We are highly encouraged by the successful completion of Stage 1 and the progress achieved by BioHarvest. This milestone validates both the scientific strength of the Botanical Synthesis platform and the commercial potential of sustainable plant-derived fragrance compositions. We look forward to advancing to Stage 2 and ultimately bringing these rare and valuable fragrance ingredients to global markets."

With Stage 1 now completed, BioHarvest is ready to advance to Stage 2, where cells stored in a proprietary cell bank will be propagated in liquid medium to generate significant biomass. Once stage 2 commences, this biomass is expected to be available for pre-commercial testing within 6 to 9 months, with full development and industrial-scale manufacturing anticipated within 12 to 18 months.

Importantly, this development is expected to serve as a template for multiple future fragrance programs using BioHarvest's Botanical Synthesis platform. The successful creation of stable cell cultures containing complex fragrance molecules demonstrates the company's ability to systematically target additional rare and high-value fragrance plants, potentially unlocking a pipeline of development programs across premium fragrance categories. BioHarvest believes this capability significantly expands the addressable market opportunity for its CDMO division and strengthens its long-term royalty-driven growth strategy.

*Grand View Research - Fragrance Market Report (2026-2033) 
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/fragrances-market

** This CDMO project contains a Non-Disclosure Agreement that includes both the name of the partner and of the targeted plant compounds

About BioHarvest
BioHarvest (NASDAQ: BHST) (FSE: 8MV0) is a leader in Botanical Synthesis, leveraging its patented technology platform to grow plant-based compounds, without the need to grow the underlying plant. BioHarvest is leveraging its botanical synthesis technology to develop the next generation of science-based and clinically proven therapeutic solutions within two major business verticals; as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) on behalf of customers seeking novel plant-based compounds, and as a creator of proprietary nutraceutical health and wellness products, which includes dietary supplements. To learn more, please visit www.bioharvest.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release might include forward-looking statements that are based on management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. For the CDMO Services Business Unit, there is no assurance of additional future contracts, and readers are cautioned that increased revenue is not necessarily an increase in net income or profitability as costs will likely increase as well. There is no assurance that signed research agreements will proceed past a contracted stage, or that a developed molecule or compound will be commercialized or will generate royalties to the Company. Successful commercialization of any compound developed will be subject to consumer preferences, advertising budgets and other factors affecting market acceptance of new products which are uncertain and cannot be assured. Launching new products is subject to risks and uncertainties including the risk that the market will not accept the product or that government approvals required for sale or import of the products will not be obtained. There is never an assurance that any product set will successfully disrupt established product categories. There is no assurance that the Company will maintain or improve current financial performance, as revenues and margins are dependent on a combination of factors such as supply chain efficiencies, input cost stability, marketing efficiencies and uncertain consumer preferences. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and actual results may be affected by a number of material factors beyond our control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. BHST does not intend to update forward-looking statement disclosures other than through our regular management discussion and analysis disclosures.

BioHarvest Company Contact:
Dave Ryan, VP Investor Relations
(604) 622-1186
info@bioharvest.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Chuck Padala, Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors
chuck@lifesciadvisors.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290629

FAQ

What did BioHarvest (BHST) achieve with its March 31, 2026 Stage 1 development?

BioHarvest successfully created a stable cell culture for a rare fragrance plant, a first-ever achievement. According to the company, molecular profiles in Stage 1 matched the original plant, validating the Botanical Synthesis platform for complex fragrance molecules.

How much ownership does BioHarvest (BHST) retain in the developed fragrance compositions?

BioHarvest retains 20% ownership of compositions developed under the Stage 1 agreement. According to the company, this creates a royalty-driven economic model aligning CDMO work with downstream value participation.

When will BioHarvest (BHST) have biomass available for pre-commercial testing and manufacturing?

Pre-commercial biomass is expected within 6–9 months, with industrial manufacturing anticipated in 12–18 months. According to the company, Stage 2 will propagate cells from a proprietary cell bank to generate required biomass.

What market opportunity does BioHarvest (BHST) cite for this fragrance program?

BioHarvest cites a $23B premium fragrance segment inside a $58.9B global scents and fragrances industry. According to the company, premium grades of the targeted scent can command prices of tens of thousands USD per kilogram.

Will BioHarvest (BHST) be able to name the partner or the plant targeted in the program?

No—details are restricted by a Non-Disclosure Agreement that conceals the partner and target plant. According to the company, the NDA prevents public disclosure of partner identity and specific plant compounds.

How does the Stage 1 result affect BioHarvest's CDMO business model and strategy?

The Stage 1 milestone supports a shift toward a royalty-driven Partner Development and Manufacturing Organization model. According to the company, successful replication of rare molecules strengthens long-term value and potential pipeline expansion.