Standard BioTools Announces Operational Restructuring Plan to Drive Long-Term Profitable Growth

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Standard BioTools Inc. announced an operational restructuring plan to drive long-term profitable growth, expecting $45-$50 million in annual operating expense savings by fiscal 2025. The plan includes a reduction of approximately 10% of its total workforce, streamlining operational expenditures, and closing the R&D facility in San Diego.

Positive

• Standard BioTools expects annualized operating expense savings of $45-$50 million in fiscal 2025.
• Approximately 10% of the total workforce will be reduced to align personnel costs with business needs.
• Operational expenditures will be streamlined by reducing overall SG&A expenses and closing the R&D facility in San Diego.
• The restructuring plan aims to support the execution of the Company's long-term strategic growth plan.
• Management will discuss financial results, restructuring, and strategic initiatives on a conference call on May 8, 2024.

Negative

• None.

Financial Analyst

Standard BioTools' announcement of a significant restructuring plan indicates a strategic shift towards cost optimization. Notably, the stated annualized savings of $45-$50 million by fiscal 2025 could potentially bolster the firm's financial position. This is especially relevant in an industry where R&D expenses can be substantial. The reduction in workforce, although regrettably impacting employees, can be seen as a move to realign expenses with the company's strategic objectives post-SomaLogic merger. Investor interest may be piqued by the projected savings and the implied commitment to long-term profitability. However, the $10-$11 million one-time expense attributed to severance indicates a near-term financial burden. The closure of the R&D facility could be a concern for innovation momentum, but it's offset by the mention of a 'prioritized R&D strategy,' which could imply a more focused approach on high-potential projects. As a retail investor, it's important to monitor how these changes affect the company's market position and whether the cost savings translate to improved net income and shareholder value.

Market Research Analyst

The operational restructuring by Standard BioTools could indicate a response to evolving market dynamics in the life sciences tools sector. Streamlining operations and reducing workforce, particularly after an integration like the SomaLogic merger, implies a strategic consolidation. The company’s focus on the proteomics customer end market suggests a refinement in their target demographic, which may enhance competitive edge. Investors should consider the potential for improved market share and customer satisfaction due to this more focused approach. However, there's a balance to strike between cost-cutting and maintaining innovation. The next earnings call should give further clarity on how these changes are projected to affect the company's growth trajectory. Investors would benefit from understanding the underlying strategy behind the prioritization of R&D efforts, as this will signal the future direction and potential growth areas for Standard BioTools.

• Company expects to achieve $45-$50 million in annualized operating expense savings in fiscal 2025
• Management to discuss first quarter 2024 financial results, restructuring and strategic initiatives on May 8, 2024 conference call

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Standard BioTools Inc. (“Standard BioTools” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LAB) today announced that it has initiated a restructuring plan to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, while supporting the execution of the Company’s long-term strategic plan.

“Following the completion of the SomaLogic merger, our management team has conducted a comprehensive review of our business as we continue to execute our strategic growth plan. Today we are taking critical and proactive steps to optimize our cost structure, which reflects the Company’s commitment to accelerate our path to profitability and achieve our long-term financial targets,” said Michael Egholm, PhD, President and CEO of Standard BioTools. “We will continue to focus on disciplined expense management while staying true to our mission of becoming a diversified leader in life sciences tools and empowering our customers to do better world-changing research.”

The restructuring plan is expected to generate annualized operating expense savings of $45 million to $50 million in fiscal 2025, with the majority of the cost takeout to occur in the second half of 2024. The plan focuses on two core areas:

• Workforce Reduction: The Company has implemented a reduction of approximately 10% of its total workforce to better align the Company’s personnel costs with the current needs of its business. This includes the elimination of certain senior management positions following the closing of the SomaLogic merger. The Company expects expenses related to these reductions in the range of $10 million to $11 million, consisting primarily of cash severance and termination benefits and related costs, and includes approximately $4 million of non-cash expenses related to vesting of share-based awards.
  
  
• Streamlined Operational Expenditures: Includes reductions in overall selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, the closure of the Company’s R&D facility in San Diego, as well as savings related to a more prioritized R&D strategy.
  

Egholm continued, “We value the immense contributions of our colleagues and I want to express my sincere gratitude to the members of our team who will be departing Standard BioTools. These changes, while difficult, are necessary to support our business as we continue to build the broadest next generation of solutions serving the proteomics customer end market.”

First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call Information

Standard BioTools will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. PDT (4:30 p.m. EDT) to discuss first quarter 2024 financial results, operational progress and provide additional detail on today’s announcement. Live audio of the webcast will be available online along with an archived version of the webcast under the Events & Presentations page of the Company’s website.

To participate in the conference call by phone, may do so using one of the following dial-in numbers below:
US domestic callers: 1-888-346-3970
Outside US callers: 1-412-902-4297

About Standard BioTools Inc.

Standard BioTools Inc. (Nasdaq:LAB), the parent company of SomaLogic Inc. and previously known as Fluidigm Corporation, is driven by a bold purpose – Unleashing tools to accelerate breakthroughs in human health. Standard BioTools has an established portfolio of essential, standardized next-generation technologies that help biomedical researchers develop medicines faster and better. As a leading solutions provider, the company provides reliable and repeatable insights in health and disease using its proprietary mass cytometry and microfluidics technologies, which help transform scientific discoveries into better patient outcomes. Standard BioTools works with leading academic, government, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, plant and animal research and clinical laboratories worldwide, focusing on the most pressing needs in translational and clinical research, including oncology, immunology and immunotherapy. Learn more at standardbio.com or connect with us on X, Facebook^®, LinkedIn, and YouTube™.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Limited Use Label License and other terms may apply: www.standardbio.com/legal/salesterms. Patent and License Information: www.standardbio.com/legal/notices. Trademarks: www.standardbio.com/legal/trademarks. Any other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. ©2024 Standard BioTools Inc. (f.k.a. Fluidigm Corporation). All rights reserved.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, statements regarding future financial and business performance; expectations, operational and strategic plans; deployment of capital; market and growth opportunity and potential; and the potential to realize the expected benefits of the Company’s operational restructuring plan, including the potential for it to drive long-term profitable growth. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from currently anticipated results, including, but not limited to, risks that the anticipated benefits of the operational restructuring plan, including the potential for it to drive long-term profitable growth, may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; risks that the Company may not realize expected cost savings from this restructuring, including the anticipated decrease in operational expenses, at the levels it expects; possible restructuring and transition-related disruption, including through the loss of customers, suppliers, and employees and adverse impacts on the Company’s development activities and results of operation; restructuring activities, including the Company’s subleasing plans, customer and employee relations, management distraction, and reduced operating performance; risks that internal and external costs required for ongoing and planned activities may be higher than expected, which may cause the Company to use cash more quickly than it expects or change or curtail some of the Company’s plans, or both; risks that the Company’s expectations as to expenses, cash usage, and cash needs may prove not to be correct for other reasons such as changes in plans or actual events being different than our assumptions; changes in the Company’s business or external market conditions; challenges inherent in developing, manufacturing, launching, marketing, and selling new products; interruptions or delays in the supply of components or materials for, or manufacturing of, the Company’s products; reliance on sales of capital equipment for a significant proportion of revenues in each quarter; seasonal variations in customer operations; unanticipated increases in costs or expenses; continued or sustained budgetary, inflationary, or recessionary pressures; uncertainties in contractual relationships; reductions in research and development spending or changes in budget priorities by customers; uncertainties relating to the Company’s research and development activities, and distribution plans and capabilities; potential product performance and quality issues; risks associated with international operations; intellectual property risks; and competition. For information regarding other related risks, see the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024, and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as may be required by law. 

Investor Contact

David Holmes
Gilmartin Group LLC
ir@standardbio.com

FAQ

What is the expected annualized operating expense savings in fiscal 2025 for Standard BioTools (LAB)?

Standard BioTools expects to achieve $45-$50 million in annualized operating expense savings in fiscal 2025.

What workforce reduction measures are being implemented by Standard BioTools (LAB)?

The Company has implemented a reduction of approximately 10% of its total workforce to better align personnel costs with the current needs of its business.

What operational expenditures will be streamlined by Standard BioTools (LAB)?

Operational expenditures will be streamlined by reducing overall selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses, and the closure of the Company's R&D facility in San Diego.

When will the management discuss financial results, restructuring, and strategic initiatives for Standard BioTools (LAB)?

Management will discuss first quarter 2024 financial results, restructuring, and strategic initiatives on a conference call on May 8, 2024.