Solésence Reports Record First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Solésence (NASDAQ: SLSN) reported strong Q1 2025 financial results with revenue increasing 48% to $14.6 million compared to $9.9 million in Q1 2024. The company achieved record shipment volume, up 95% year-over-year, and increased production volume by 120%. However, gross margin declined to 23% from 36% due to one-time start-up costs related to a new strategic brand partner launch. Net income was breakeven compared to $0.9 million in Q1 2024. The company successfully uplisted to Nasdaq and expanded its intellectual property with new technology patents in Japan, South Korea, and Mexico. Management reported strong order momentum with current shipped and open orders exceeding $45 million, indicating continued sequential revenue growth.

Positive

• Record Q1 revenue of $14.6 million, up 48% year-over-year
• Shipment volume increased 95% and production volume up 120% year-over-year
• Strong order book with shipped and open orders exceeding $45 million
• Successful uplisting to Nasdaq, increasing visibility with investors
• Expansion of intellectual property with new technology patents in multiple countries

Negative

• Gross margin declined significantly to 23% from 36% year-over-year
• Net income dropped to breakeven from $0.9 million in Q1 2024
• One-time start-up costs impacted profitability due to new brand partner launch

Insights

Financial Analyst

Record revenue growth overshadowed by significant margin compression and profitability decline, suggesting growth-related operational challenges despite positive forward indicators.

Solésence's Q1 results present a fascinating study in growth economics versus profitability. While the 48% year-over-year revenue increase to a record $14.6 million signals robust demand, the sharp gross margin contraction from 36% to 23% and deterioration in net income from $0.9 million to breakeven reveals significant operational headwinds.

The volume metrics tell an even more dramatic story - shipments increased 95% year-over-year while production volume jumped 120%. This substantial divergence between volume growth and revenue growth mathematically indicates lower average revenue per unit, potentially reflecting product mix shifts or pricing dynamics.

Management's attribution of margin compression to "one-time start-up costs" for a strategic partner launch provides important context, but the magnitude of the 13 percentage point margin decline raises questions about operational efficiency during rapid scaling. The company's ability to restore margins while maintaining growth trajectory will be crucial for investor confidence.

The forward visibility looks compelling, with shipped and open orders exceeding $45 million - approximately three times the current quarterly revenue. This concrete order pipeline, combined with the recent Nasdaq uplisting that should enhance trading liquidity, creates positive momentum counterpoints.

The intellectual property expansions across multiple international markets (Japan, South Korea, and Mexico) strengthen Solésence's competitive positioning, though commercial impact timelines remain undefined in the release.

First quarter revenue increased 48% to a record $14.6 million

ROMEOVILLE, Ill., May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solésence, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLSN), a leader in scientifically-driven health care solutions across beauty and life science categories, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.   

Recent Highlights and Accomplishments

• Uplisted to Nasdaq under the ticker “SLSN” supporting the Company’s increased visibility with the investment community
• Achieved record revenue and unit volume shipments in the first quarter 2025

“We kicked off 2025 with record revenue, fueled by strong sales across our suite of consumer products,” said Jess Jankowski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Solésence. “Large customer orders, including a new product line with a key new brand partner, are driving growth and expanding our partnerships with leading beauty and health brands. As always, our relentless focus remains on delivering unique, high-performance products that enrich consumers’ daily lives and reinforce Solésence’s position as a trusted innovation partner.”

“During the first quarter, we significantly increased our throughput to execute a multi-SKU launch for a new strategic brand partner. While this process resulted in one-time start-up costs that impacted our gross margins for the quarter, our operational flexibility and expertise enabled us to support our partner for a successful launch,” said Kevin Cureton, Chief Operating Officer. “We believe that this new brand partner will drive significant growth in the future fueled by demand for our exceptional products and our collaborative efforts. Going forward, we anticipate our gross margin levels will substantially improve as we further scale our operations for growth and manage our fixed manufacturing costs more efficiently.”

“We anticipate continued sequential revenue growth based on our current shipped and open orders that are in excess of $45 million. In addition to our solid top line performance, we are excited to now be listed on the Nasdaq market, a major milestone that will help broaden our visibility with the financial community. Building on our positive momentum, Solésence rebrand and Nasdaq uplisting, we look forward to capitalizing on the significant opportunities ahead to drive long-term shareholder value,” said Mr. Jankowski.

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

• Revenue for the first quarter increased 48% to a record $14.6 million, compared to $9.9 million for the same period in 2024.
• Gross profit in the first quarter was $3.3 million, compared to $3.6 million for the same period in 2024.
• Gross margin in the first quarter was 23%, compared to 36% for the same period in 2024. 
• Net income for the first quarter was breakeven, compared to a net income of $0.9 million for the same period in 2024.  

First Quarter 2025 Operational Highlights

• Intellectual property expansion included an allowance for the Company’s Kleair™ technology in Japan, an allowance for a new plant-based antioxidant technology in South Korea, and an additional allowance in Mexico for a new skin health and healing technology leveraging allantoin, commonly used in scar healing products – giving the Company three technology platforms with global patent protection.
• Shipment volume increased 95% year-over-year.
• Production volume increased 120% year-over-year in preparation for second quarter 2025 demand.
  

Conference Call

Solésence will host its first quarter conference call on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. CDT, 5:00 p.m. EDT, to discuss its financial results and provide a business and financial update. On the call will be Jess Jankowski, President, CEO, and CFO, and Kevin Cureton, Chief Operating Officer. 

Webcast Link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/q53hzimg

Dial-In Link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI52d4ebca7736415daa72f2a62f1d61ce

To receive the dial-in number, as well as your personalized PIN, you must register at the above link. Once registered, you will also have the option to have the system dial-out to you once the conference call begins. If you forget your PIN prior to the conference call, you can simply re-register.

The call may also be accessed through the Company’s investor relations website, at https://ir.solesence.com/. Please join the conference call at least five minutes before prior to the start time.

FINANCIAL RESULTS AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

Solésence believes that the presentation of results excluding certain items, such as non-cash equity compensation charges, provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors, facilitating the evaluation of performance across reporting periods. The Company uses these non-GAAP measures for internal planning and reporting purposes. These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or net income per share prepared in accordance with GAAP.

About Solésence, Inc.

Solésence, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLSN), is a leader in scientifically-driven health care solutions across beauty and life science categories. With a mission to deliver joy through innovation, inclusivity and the science of beautiful skin, we have redefined mineral-based sun protection by maximizing transparency, effectiveness, aesthetics, and wearability — empowering individuals to embrace beauty on their own terms. Combining best-in-class skin health solutions with the celebration of self-care, we allow brands to deliver unique product claims and attributes by seamlessly integrating protection, prevention, and treatment technologies into daily use products. Learn more at solesence.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains words such as “expects,” “shall,” “will,” “believes,” and similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements in this announcement are made based on the Company’s current beliefs, known events and circumstances at the time of publication, and as such, are subject in the future to unforeseen risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s results of operations, performance, and achievements to differ materially from current expectations expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following: a decision by a customer to cancel a purchase order or supply agreement in light of the Company’s dependence on a limited number of key customers; uncertain demand for, and acceptance of, the Company’s engineered materials, ingredients, and fully formulated products; the Company’s manufacturing capacity and product mix flexibility in light of customer demand; the Company’s limited marketing experience; changes in development and distribution relationships; the impact of competitive products and technologies; the Company’s dependence on patents and protection of proprietary information; the resolution of litigation in which the Company may become involved; the impact of any potential new government regulations that could be difficult to respond to or too costly to comply with while remaining financially viable; the ability of the Company to maintain an appropriate electronic trading venue; and other factors described in the Company’s Form 10-K filed March 31, 2025. In addition, the Company’s forward-looking statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates. Except as required by federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events, uncertainties, or other contingencies.  

Media Contact:
media@solesence.com

Investor Relations Contact:
investors@solesence.com

SOLESENCE, INC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited Consolidated Condensed)
(in thousands except share and per share data)
			As of
			March 31,				December 31,
			2025				2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash		$	1,817			$	1,409
	Trade accounts receivable			10,084				5,655
	Allowance for credit losses			(999	)			(786	)
		Trade accounts receivable, net		9,085				4,869
	Inventories, net			21,912				20,267
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			3,090				2,803
		Total current assets		35,904				29,348
	Equipment and leasehold improvements, net			13,105				12,734
	Operating leases, right of use			8,006				7,917
	Other assets, net			1				3
	Total assets		$	57,016			$	50,002
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Line of credit, accounts receivable, related party		$	6,292			$	-
	Current portion of line of credit, inventory, related party			5,200				4,000
	Current portion of debt, related parties			1,000				1,000
	Current portion of operating lease obligations			1,328				1,260
	Accounts payable			9,168				9,093
	Current portion of deferred revenue			4,622				5,571
	Accrued expenses			5,266				4,849
	Total current liabilities			32,876				25,773
	Long-term portion of operating lease obligations			8,736				9,037
	Asset retirement obligations			248				246
	Total long-term liabilities			8,984				9,283
Contingent liabilities
Stockholders' equity:
	Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 24,088 shares authorized and
		no shares issued and outstanding		-				-
	Common stock, $.01 par value, 95,000,000 shares authorized;
		70,103,279 shares issued and outstanding on March 31, 2025
		and December 31, 2024, respectively		700				700
	Additional paid-in capital			114,804				114,674
	Accumulated deficit			(100,348	)			(100,428	)
	Total stockholders' equity			15,156				14,946
	Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	57,016			$	50,002

SOLESENCE, INC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited Consolidated Condensed)
(in thousands except share and per share data)
			Three months ended
			March 31,
			2025				2024
			(in thousands except share and per share data)
Revenue:
Product revenue			$	14,575			$	9,772
Other revenue				50				96
	Net revenue			14,625				9,868
Operating expense:
Cost of revenue				11,312				6,288
	Gross profit			3,313				3,580
Research and development expense				949				910
Selling, general and administrative expense				2,108				1,559
Income from operations				256				1,111
	Interest expense			176				218
	Other income, net			-				-
Income before provision for income taxes				80				893
Provision for income taxes				-				-
Net income			$	80			$	893
Net income per share-basic			$	-			$	0.02
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding				70,103,279				52,675,851
Net income per share-diluted			$	-			$	0.02
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding				72,632,116				58,035,741
SOLESENCE, INC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - EXPANDED SCHEDULE
(Unaudited Consolidated Condensed)
(in thousands except share and per share data)
			Three months ended
			March 31,
			2025				2024
			(in thousands except share and per share data)
Revenue:
Product revenue, net			$	14,575			$	9,772
Other revenue				50				96
	Net revenue			14,625				9,868
Operating expense:
Cost of revenue detail:
Depreciation				216				221
Non-Cash equity compensation				27				26
Other costs of revenue				11,069				6,041
	Cost of revenue			11,312				6,288
		Gross profit		3,313				3,580
Research and development expense detail:
Depreciation				4				6
Non-Cash equity compensation				27				33
Other research and development expense				918				871
	Research and development expense			949				910
Selling, general and administrative expense detail:
Depreciation and amortization				6				7
Non-Cash equity compensation				73				101
Other selling, general and administrative expense				2,029				1,451
	Selling, general and administrative expense			2,108				1,559
Income from operations				256				1,111
Interest expense				176				218
Other income, net				-				-
Income before provision for income taxes				80				893
Provision for income taxes				-				-
Net income			$	80			$	893
Non-GAAP Disclosure (see note regarding Non-GAAP disclosures):
	Addback Interest, net			176				218
	Addback Depreciation/Amortization			226				234
	Addback Non-Cash Equity Compensation			127				160
	Addback Other Income, net			-				-
	Addback Provision for Income Taxes			-				-
	Adjusted EBITDA		$	609			$	1,505

FAQ

What were Solésence's (SLSN) Q1 2025 revenue and growth rate?

Solésence reported Q1 2025 revenue of $14.6 million, representing a 48% increase compared to $9.9 million in Q1 2024.

How did Solésence's (SLSN) gross margin perform in Q1 2025?

Solésence's gross margin declined to 23% in Q1 2025 from 36% in Q1 2024, primarily due to one-time start-up costs related to a new strategic brand partner launch.

What is Solésence's (SLSN) current order backlog?

Solésence reported shipped and open orders exceeding $45 million, indicating strong sequential revenue growth potential.

What operational achievements did Solésence (SLSN) report in Q1 2025?

The company achieved record shipment volume (up 95% YoY), increased production volume by 120%, uplisted to Nasdaq, and expanded its intellectual property with new technology patents in Japan, South Korea, and Mexico.

What was Solésence's (SLSN) net income in Q1 2025?

Solésence reported breakeven net income in Q1 2025, compared to a net income of $0.9 million in Q1 2024.