BOTHELL, Wash., April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- BioLife Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLFS), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of proprietary clinical grade hypothermic storage and cryopreservation freeze media and precision thermal shipping products for cells and tissues, today announced that it was added to the Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index(SM) (Wilshire 5000(SM)) effective after the markets' close on Friday, April 18^th in conjunction with the monthly additions and deletions of the index.

BioLife Solutions uplisted from the OTCQX to the NASDAQ Capital Market™ on March 26, 2014, following the closing of a $15.4 million registered stock offering and the elimination of all debt via conversion to common stock.

Mike Rice, BioLife's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to have BioLife's shares included in the Wilshire 5000.  Two key benefits we anticipated following the uplisting of the Company's stock to the NASDAQ Capital Market were increased awareness for BioLife in the investment community and greater liquidity for investors.  Recognition of BioLife shares by the addition to the Wilshire 5000 index should help us realize these benefits."

The Wilshire 5000, the original pure and complete(SM) measure of the U.S. stock market, was developed in 1974 by Dennis A. Tito, chairman and chief executive officer of Wilshire Associates Incorporated.  It is widely considered the best way to track the U.S. equities market and estimate market value changes.  The Wilshire 5000 Total Market exchange-traded fund (NYSE Arca: WFVK) is the only ETF based upon the Wilshire 5000.

About BioLife Solutions
BioLife Solutions develops, manufactures and markets hypothermic storage and cryopreservation solutions for cells, tissues, and organs. The Company's proprietary HypoThermosol® and CryoStor® clinical grade biopreservation media products are highly valued in the biobanking, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine markets, where the products are currently utilized in more than 100 clinical trials and hospital-approved procedures. BioLife's products are serum-free and protein-free, fully defined, and are formulated to reduce preservation-induced cell damage and death.  BioLife's enabling technology provides commercial companies and clinical researchers significant improvement in shelf life and post-preservation viability and function of cells, tissues, and organs.  For more information please visit www.biolifesolutions.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements concerning our products' performance and market adoption, market forecasts, and other anticipated developments related to us, our business or customers. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including the factors described in our risk factors set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein or to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, other than as may be required by applicable law.

Media & Investor Relations
Daphne Taylor
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(425) 402-1400
dtaylor@biolifesolutions.com

SOURCE BioLife Solutions, Inc.