Standard BioTools Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Standard BioTools (NASDAQ: LAB) reported first quarter 2026 continuing‑operations revenue of $21.1 million, up 5% year‑over‑year, with gross margin ~53.5% and non‑GAAP gross margin ~57.7%. Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $3.1 million (78% improvement YoY). Cash and investments were $523.6 million at quarter end, and the company reiterated 2026 revenue guidance of $80–$85 million.
Operating expenses fell 37% to $23.8 million, including $3.1 million of restructuring charges; consumables revenue grew 35% to $11.0 million.
Positive
- Revenue +5% YoY to $21.1M
- Consumables +35% YoY to $11.0M
- Adjusted EBITDA improved 78% to a $3.1M loss
- Cash & investments $523.6M at March 31, 2026
- Operating expenses down 37% to $23.8M
Negative
- Instrument revenue -33% YoY to $4.5M
- Operating loss $12.5M for the quarter
- Net loss $14.6M in the quarter
- Includes $3.1M restructuring charges reducing near‑term cash flexibility
News Market Reaction – LAB
On the day this news was published, LAB declined 1.07%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
LAB was roughly flat (-0.05%) while key peers like BVS and CTKB showed small gains and AVNS was slightly negative, suggesting a stock-specific setup rather than a broad sector move.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24 | Q4/FY25 earnings | Positive | +1.7% | Reported Q4 revenue, narrowed net loss, reiterated 2026 outlook and NOLs. |
| May 06 | Q1 2025 earnings | Neutral | -3.8% | Q1 revenue declined but losses and adjusted EBITDA improved; guidance reaffirmed. |
| Feb 26 | Q4/FY24 earnings | Neutral | -10.7% | Full-year revenue with cost reductions and EBITDA improvement but softer top line. |
| Oct 30 | Q3 2024 earnings | Neutral | +4.3% | Q3 revenue dip offset by EBITDA and net loss improvements plus synergy gains. |
| Jul 31 | Q2 2024 earnings | Positive | -36.6% | Strong revenue growth and higher guidance met a steep negative share reaction. |
Earnings releases have often been followed by weak or negative moves (average -9.01%), including one sharp selloff despite strong growth metrics, suggesting a history of cautious reactions to results.
Over the past few years, Standard BioTools has repeatedly highlighted revenue growth phases, large cost‑saving programs, and a goal of reaching positive adjusted EBITDA in 2026. Prior earnings updates showed sizable revenue swings, major synergy capture and a strong cash balance, yet market reactions averaged -9.01%. This quarter’s results continue themes of cost discipline and balance‑sheet strength focused on the core tools business following the SomaLogic divestiture.
Historical Comparison
Past earnings updates for LAB have averaged a -9.01% move despite frequent cost cuts and synergy wins, so investors have often reacted cautiously even to operational progress.
Earnings history shows a shift from larger, merger‑driven pro forma revenue toward a leaner continuing‑operations base, with repeated cost reductions and a multi‑year path toward positive adjusted EBITDA.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Q1 2026 revenue of $21.1M, strong 35% consumables growth, and a sharply improved adjusted EBITDA loss of $3.1M, alongside $523.6M in cash and investments. Historically, earnings updates have produced volatile reactions, averaging -9.01%. Investors may track whether cost reductions persist, how quickly instruments demand normalizes in capital‑constrained markets, and if management maintains its 2026 revenue outlook and path toward positive adjusted EBITDA.
Key Terms
adjusted EBITDA financial
non-GAAP financial
earnout financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
BOSTON, Mass., May 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Standard BioTools Inc. (NASDAQ: LAB) (the “Company” or “Standard BioTools”) today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
Recent Highlights:
- First quarter 2026 revenue of
$21.1 million 54% reduction in operating loss and78% improvement in adjusted EBITDA year-over-year supporting path to positive adjusted EBITDA exiting 2026$524 million in cash & investments as of March 31, 2026, excluding$25 million earnout received after quarter end, to fuel inorganic growth strategy
“We delivered a strong start to 2026, with first quarter performance coming in above expectations,” said Michael Egholm, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Standard BioTools. “We are operating our base business with consistency, delivering year-over-year top-line growth, and our cost savings initiatives are taking hold with a
Dr. Egholm continued, “With the sale of SomaLogic to Illumina complete, we are fully focused on strategic capital deployment to transform the business. Our strong balance sheet, with approximately
| Financial Results Table: Continuing Operations | |||||||
| As Reported | |||||||
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||||||
| (Unaudited, in millions, except percentages) | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |||||
| Revenue | $ | 21.1 | $ | 20.2 | |||
| Gross margin | 53.5 | % | 54.6 | % | |||
| Non-GAAP gross margin | 57.7 | % | 57.1 | % | |||
| Operating expenses | $ | 23.8 | $ | 38.0 | |||
| Non-GAAP operating expenses | $ | 15.3 | $ | 25.6 | |||
| Operating loss | $ | (12.5 | ) | $ | (27.0 | ) | |
| Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (14.6 | ) | $ | (23.4 | ) | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (3.1 | ) | $ | (14.1 | ) | |
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and liquid investments | $ | 523.6 | $ | 260.7 | |||
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results: Continuing Operations
- Revenue was
$21.1 million in the first quarter of 2026, up5% year-over-year.- Consumables revenue was
$11.0 million in the first quarter of 2026, up35% year-over-year. Greater consumables revenue in the quarter reflected growth across all product categories, primarily driven by microfluidics. - Instruments revenue was
$4.5 million in the first quarter of 2026, down33% year-over-year. Instrument revenue in the quarter, compared against particularly strong prior year results, remained impacted by capital-constrained end-markets. - Services revenue, which is predominantly Field Services, was
$5.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, up5% year-over-year.
- Consumables revenue was
- Gross margins in the first quarter of 2026 were approximately
53.5% , versus54.6% in the first quarter of 2025; and non-GAAP gross margins in the first quarter of 2026 were approximately57.7% , versus57.1% in the first quarter of 2025. Gross margins and non-GAAP gross margins were driven by volume and product mix. - Operating expenses in the first quarter of 2026 were
$23.8 million , a decrease of$14.2 million , or down37% , compared to the first quarter of 2025. Operating expenses included$3.1 million in restructuring and related charges. Non-GAAP operating expenses, which exclude transaction costs, stock-based compensation, and restructuring charges, were$15.3 million in the first quarter of 2026, a decrease of$10.3 million , or down40% , compared to the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in operating expenses was largely due to previously announced restructuring actions. - Net loss for the first quarter of 2026 was
$14.6 million , compared to a net loss of$23.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, representing a change of$8.7 million or37% . Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2026 was a loss of$3.1 million , versus an adjusted EBITDA loss of$14.1 million in the first quarter of 2025, an improvement of$11.0 million , or78% .
Full Year 2026 Revenue Outlook
For fiscal year 2026, the Company continues to expect revenue in the range of
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
Standard BioTools has presented certain financial information in accordance with U.S. GAAP and on a non-GAAP basis. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release are non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP operating expenses, and adjusted EBITDA. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, as a measure of operating performance because the non-GAAP financial measures do not include the impact of items that management does not consider indicative of the Company’s core operating performance. Management believes that non-GAAP financial measures, taken in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, provide useful information for both management and investors by excluding certain non-cash and other expenses that are not indicative of the Company’s core operating results. Management uses non-GAAP measures to compare the Company’s performance relative to forecasts and strategic plans and to benchmark the Company’s performance externally against competitors. Non-GAAP information is not prepared under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and should only be used to supplement an understanding of the Company’s operating results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Standard BioTools encourages investors to carefully consider its results under GAAP, as well as its supplemental non-GAAP information and the reconciliations between these presentations, to more fully understand its business. Reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures are presented in the accompanying tables of this release.
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, including with respect to the full year 2026 revenue outlook; the Company’s beliefs about future profitability; operational and strategic plans; deployment of capital; market and growth opportunity and potential; and the potential to realize the expected benefits from the transaction with Illumina and the expected benefits and synergies of prior and potential future acquisitions, including the potential for such transactions 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, the potential that the expected benefits and opportunities of the transaction may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; risks that the anticipated benefits and synergies resulting from prior and potential future acquisitions and the integration of any such businesses, including the potential for such transactions 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 such transactions; possible integration, restructuring and transition-related disruption resulting from such transactions, including through the loss of customers, suppliers, and employees and adverse impacts on the Company’s development activities and results of operation; integration and restructuring activities, including 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; existing and potential future NIH funding pressures; the effect from existing and potential future U.S. export controls and tariffs; 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, for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2026, the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, to be filed with the SEC, 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.
About Standard BioTools Inc.
Standard BioTools, Inc. (NASDAQ: LAB), is committed to setting the new standard in the life science tools industry through strategic consolidation, best-in-class operations and a world class management team. The Company's established portfolio includes essential, standardized next-generation solutions designed to help biomedical researchers develop better therapeutics faster. 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: standardbio.com/legal/terms-and-conditions/.
Patent and License Information: standardbio.com/legal/notices.
Trademarks: standardbio.com/legal/trademarks. Any other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. ©2026 Standard BioTools Inc. (f.k.a. Fluidigm Corporation). All rights reserved.
Investor Contact:
ir@standardbio.com
| STANDARD BIOTOOLS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Continuing Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||
| Product revenue | $ | 15,454 | $ | 14,781 | ||||
| Services and other revenue | 5,692 | 5,441 | ||||||
| Total revenue | 21,146 | 20,222 | ||||||
| Cost of revenue: | ||||||||
| Cost of product revenue | 7,706 | 6,431 | ||||||
| Cost of services and other revenue | 2,132 | 2,742 | ||||||
| Total cost of revenue | 9,838 | 9,173 | ||||||
| Gross profit | 11,308 | 11,049 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 2,117 | 5,440 | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 18,607 | 29,824 | ||||||
| Restructuring and related charges | 3,080 | 1,552 | ||||||
| Transaction and integration expenses | - | 1,203 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 23,804 | 38,019 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (12,496 | ) | (26,970 | ) | ||||
| Interest income, net | 3,511 | 2,914 | ||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (5,630 | ) | 567 | |||||
| Loss before income taxes | (14,615 | ) | (23,489 | ) | ||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (11 | ) | 119 | |||||
| Net loss from continuing operations | (14,626 | ) | (23,370 | ) | ||||
| Discontinued operations: | ||||||||
| Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | 141,694 | (2,663 | ) | |||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 127,068 | $ | (26,033 | ) | |||
| Net loss per share from continuing operations | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | ||
| Net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations | $ | 0.37 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||
| Net income (loss) per share | $ | 0.33 | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||
| Shares used in computing net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders | 388,202 | 378,228 | ||||||
| STANDARD BIOTOOLS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Continuing Operations (In thousands) (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 265,772 | $ | 120,863 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 189,404 | 66,712 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 16,637 | 13,431 | ||||||
| Inventory | 18,594 | 19,981 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,046 | 4,871 | ||||||
| Contingent consideration receivable | 25,000 | — | ||||||
| Current assets held for sale | — | 228,406 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 521,453 | 454,264 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 17,103 | 19,275 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset, net | 25,545 | 26,732 | ||||||
| Other non-current assets | 3,386 | 3,154 | ||||||
| Long-term investments | 71,357 | 25,701 | ||||||
| Deferred tax asset, non-current | 270 | 38,628 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 639,114 | $ | 567,754 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 8,007 | $ | 5,407 | ||||
| Accrued liabilities | 15,684 | 29,783 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, current | 5,540 | 5,490 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue, current | 9,981 | 38,949 | ||||||
| Deferred grant income, current | 2,991 | 3,046 | ||||||
| Current liabilities held for sale | — | 25,633 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 42,203 | 108,308 | ||||||
| Convertible notes, non-current | 299 | 299 | ||||||
| Deferred tax liability | 823 | 810 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, non-current | 23,652 | 25,038 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue, non-current | 3,013 | 3,503 | ||||||
| Deferred grant income, non-current | 3,557 | 4,290 | ||||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 4,444 | 1,215 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 77,991 | 143,463 | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 561,123 | 424,291 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 639,114 | $ | 567,754 | ||||
| STANDARD BIOTOOLS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Continuing and Discontinued Operations (In thousands) (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 127,068 | $ | (26,033 | ) | |||
| Gain on sale of business | (172,289 | ) | — | |||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 8,824 | 9,009 | ||||||
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets | — | 898 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,408 | 3,273 | ||||||
| Accretion of discount on short-term investments, net | (632 | ) | (841 | ) | ||||
| Unrealized loss on equity investments | 3,494 | — | ||||||
| Non-cash lease expense | 1,355 | 1,438 | ||||||
| Provision for excess and obsolete inventory | 696 | 815 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of warrants | — | (232 | ) | |||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | — | (3,400 | ) | |||||
| Other non-cash items | 67 | 385 | ||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net | (16,588 | ) | (15,595 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (46,597 | ) | (30,283 | ) | ||||
| Investing activities | ||||||||
| Cash received for sale of business, net | 363,222 | — | ||||||
| Purchases of short-term marketable debt securities | (127,208 | ) | (32,321 | ) | ||||
| Purchases of long-term marketable debt securities | (58,517 | ) | — | |||||
| Purchases of marketable equity securities | (837 | ) | — | |||||
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments | 15,000 | 52,000 | ||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (570 | ) | (5,054 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 191,090 | 14,625 | ||||||
| Financing activities | ||||||||
| Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards and other | (118 | ) | (46 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 78 | 0 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (40 | ) | (46 | ) | ||||
| Effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents | 115 | 357 | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 144,568 | (15,347 | ) | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 123,296 | 168,818 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 267,864 | $ | 153,471 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash consists of: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 265,772 | $ | 150,880 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 2,092 | 2,591 | ||||||
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 267,864 | $ | 153,471 | ||||
| STANDARD BIOTOOLS INC. REVENUE Continuing Operations (In thousands) (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Product revenue: | ||||||||
| Instruments | $ | 4,470 | $ | 6,646 | ||||
| Consumables | 10,984 | 8,135 | ||||||
| Total product revenue | 15,454 | 14,781 | ||||||
| Services and other revenue | 5,692 | 5,441 | ||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 21,146 | $ | 20,222 | ||||
| STANDARD BIOTOOLS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION Continuing Operations (In thousands) (Unaudited) ITEMIZED RECONCILIATION OF GROSS PROFIT TO NON-GAAP GROSS PROFIT AND MARGIN PERCENTAGE | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 11,308 | $ | 11,049 | ||||
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets | — | — | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 346 | 263 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 541 | 242 | ||||||
| Non-GAAP gross profit | $ | 12,195 | $ | 11,554 | ||||
| Gross margin percentage | 53.5 | % | 54.6 | % | ||||
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets | — | — | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1.6 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 2.6 | % | 1.2 | % | ||||
| Non-GAAP gross margin percentage | 57.7 | % | 57.1 | % | ||||
| STANDARD BIOTOOLS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION Continuing Operations (In thousands) (Unaudited) ITEMIZED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Operating expenses | $ | 23,804 | $ | 38,019 | ||||
| Restructuring and related charges | (3,080 | ) | (1,552 | ) | ||||
| Transaction and integration expenses | - | (1,203 | ) | |||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | (4,460 | ) | (7,807 | ) | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (1,016 | ) | (1,826 | ) | ||||
| Gain on disposal of property and equipment | 34 | — | ||||||
| Non-GAAP operating expenses | $ | 15,282 | $ | 25,631 | ||||
| R&D operating expenses | $ | 2,117 | $ | 5,440 | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | (162 | ) | (339 | ) | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (168 | ) | (139 | ) | ||||
| Gain on disposal of property and equipment | - | (28 | ) | |||||
| Non-GAAP R&D operating expenses | $ | 1,787 | $ | 4,934 | ||||
| SG&A operating expenses | $ | 18,607 | $ | 29,824 | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | (4,298 | ) | (7,468 | ) | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (848 | ) | (1,687 | ) | ||||
| Gain on disposal of property and equipment | 34 | 28 | ||||||
| Non-GAAP SG&A operating expenses | $ | 13,495 | $ | 20,697 | ||||
| STANDARD BIOTOOLS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION Continuing Operations (In thousands) (Unaudited) ITEMIZED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (14,626 | ) | $ | (23,370 | ) | ||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | 11 | (119 | ) | |||||
| Interest income, net | (3,511 | ) | (2,914 | ) | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,362 | 2,089 | ||||||
| Restructuring and related charges | 3,080 | 1,552 | ||||||
| Transaction and integration expenses | — | 1,203 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 5,001 | 8,049 | ||||||
| Gain on disposal of property and equipment | (34 | ) | — | |||||
| Other non-operating expense (income) | 5,630 | (567 | ) | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | (3,087 | ) | (14,077 | ) | ||||
