Sapient
Sapient is a San Diego-based multi-omics CRO providing mass spectrometry-based proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and cytokine profiling services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and precision medicine clients for biomarker discovery and drug development.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Sapient does
Sapient (legally Sapient Bioanalytics, LLC) is a San Diego-based contract research organization founded in 2020 that provides multi-omics biomarker discovery services to accelerate drug development. The company operates a mass spectrometry-centric platform spanning discovery and targeted proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and cytokine profiling, complemented by the DynamiQ Insights Engine — a population-scale molecular-clinical database of more than 67,000 pre-characterized human plasma samples linked to electronic health record data (demographics, diagnosis, medications, clinical outcomes). Sapient serves pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as its primary customer segment, with secondary segments in academic medical centers and precision medicine platforms, and engages clients through a consultative, science-led direct sales motion (no self-serve or channel distribution).
Sapient's technical differentiators include proprietary rapid LC-MS (rLC-MS) metabolomics workflows capable of capturing more than 15,000 metabolites and lipids per sample at throughput of over 2,000 samples per day; next-generation FFPE proteomics measuring more than 10,000 protein groups in archival tissue; the Tumor Protein Mapping Platform with four workflows (SurfaceSeek, SignalingSeek, ImmuneSeek, ResistanceSeek) for functional tumor biology; and Certified Service Provider status for Alamar Biosciences' NULISA platform, which provides attomolar-level cytokine detection across inflammation (250+ biomarkers) and CNS disease (220+ biomarkers) panels. Reported analytical performance metrics include a median coefficient of variation below 12% across matrices.
Sapient generates revenue through professional services (fee-for-service CRO engagements) priced via project-specific quotes, with multi-year contract cadences, pilot study options, and pricing varying by study type, sample count, matrix, and analytical depth. The company has received approximately $13.8 million in non-dilutive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation across 2020 and 2022 to support biomarker research for nutritional and disease-related interventions. Its go-to-market is content- and thought-leadership-driven, emphasizing scientific publications, webinars, conference participation (including AACR 2026), and case studies to reach pharma/biotech decision-makers.
Sapient firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sapient
- Legal name
- Sapient Bioanalytics, LLC
- Website
- https://sapient.bio
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Sapient is a San Diego-based multi-omics CRO providing mass spectrometry-based proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and cytokine profiling services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and precision medicine clients for biomarker discovery and drug development.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sapient industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Multi-Omics Biomarker Discovery Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Services (HLAGANAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biomarker Discovery & Validation (omics, assay feasibility, clinical validation) (HLAAAMAA), Proteomics & Biomarker Analytical Testing (HLAGADAG), Genomic & Multi-Omic Biomarkers (NGS panels, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) (HLAAAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Sapient is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sapient business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Multi-Omics CRO Services: Sapient operates as a Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing fee-for-service biomarker discovery and validation studies. Revenue is generated through project-based engagements for proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and cytokine profiling services. Studies are priced based on experimental design complexity, sample count, assay types, and analytical depth. The company offers both discovery (broad profiling) and targeted (quantitative validation) services with pricing varying by scope and requirements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based CRO pricing - custom quotes for each study |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Sapient product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sapient operates as a Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing fee-for-service multi-omics biomarker discovery and validation studies. The core offering combines mass spectrometry-based proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and NULISA cytokine profiling with the DynamiQ™ Insights Engine — a population-scale molecular-clinical database of over 67,000 pre-characterized human plasma samples used for biological contextualization, preclinical translation, target identification, and virtual experiments.
Product overview
Sapient (Sapient Bioanalytics) is a multi-omics biomarker discovery CRO offering a unified platform of laboratory services centered on mass spectrometry-based proteomics and metabolomics, complemented by NULISA cytokine profiling technology. The core offering consists of Discovery Proteomics and Targeted Protein Assays (powered by a >12K protein menu), Discovery Metabolomics & Lipidomics (via proprietary rLC-MS capturing >15K metabolites per sample), and NULISAseq cytokine panels (250+ inflammation markers, 220+ CNS disease markers). The DynamiQ Insights Engine serves as the data platform, providing cross-validation against a database of >67,000 pre-characterized plasma samples. Tumor-specific workflows include SurfaceSeek, SignalingSeek, ImmuneSeek, and ResistanceSeek under the Tumor Protein Mapping Platform. All services integrate through study design collaboration and biocomputational analysis for decision-ready insights.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DynamiQ: Molecular-clinical database and insights engine for biomarker validation and biological contextualization.
- NULISAseq
- SurfaceSeek
- SignalingSeek
- ImmuneSeek
- ResistanceSeek
Products and services
- DynamiQ Insights Engine Population-scale molecular-clinical database platform with over 67,000 pre-characterized human plasma samples linked to multi-omics data and matched EHR data (demographics, diagnosis, medications, clinical outcomes). Enables biological contextualization, preclinical translation, target identification, and virtual experiments for pharma and biotech researchers.
- Discovery Proteomics Services Label-free DIA workflows with advanced protein extraction delivering 12,000+ protein groups in tissue/tumors, 10,000+ in FFPE samples, 5,400+ in plasma, 6,000+ in saliva, and 3,600+ in CSF. Median CV <12% across matrices. For pharma, biotech, and academic researchers.
- Targeted Protein Assays High-sensitivity quantitative protein measures leveraging labeled peptides for direct absolute quantitation of predefined proteins of interest, including PTMs and proteoforms. Menu of more than 12,000 off-the-shelf assays. For drug development researchers.
- Discovery Metabolomics & Lipidomics Services Proprietary rapid LC-MS (rLC-MS) systems capturing more than 15,000 metabolites and lipids per sample in a single run with throughput to analyze over 2,000 samples per day. In-house library of more than 13,000 reference standards for metabolite identification. For pharma and biotech researchers.
- Target Metabolite & Lipid Panels Ready-to-order targeted panels including Amino Acids Panel (47 amino acids), Fatty Acids Panel (34 fatty acids), Phospholipids Panel (170 phospholipids), Triglycerides Panel (161 triacylglycerides), and additional panels for diglycerides, FAHFAs, inflammatory markers, metabolic dysregulation, and VLCDCAs.
- Metabolite Identification Services High-confidence metabolite identification using in-house library of more than 13,000 chemical reference standards, enabling MSI Tier 1 identification for up to 1,400 metabolites. Database of over 6 million MS2 spectra for putative structural identification of unannotated molecules.
- NULISAseq Inflammation Panels Ultra-sensitive cytokine profiling of 250+ biomarkers of inflammation and immune response with attomolar-level detection (fg/mL) and up to 12 logs of dynamic range. Provided as Certified Service Provider for Alamar Biosciences' NULISA platform.
- NULISAseq CNS Disease Panels Multiplexed analyses of 220+ biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease including neuro-specific proteins with attomolar sensitivity on the ARGO HT System. For researchers developing CNS and neurodegeneration therapeutics.
- NULISAqpcr Assays Low- and single-plex assays for absolute quantitation including BD-pTau217 single-plex assay and AD 5-plex assay covering APOE4, BD-pTau217, Aβ42, GFAP, and NfL for Alzheimer's Disease assessment.
- Tumor Protein Mapping Platform Suite of mass spectrometry-based discovery proteomics workflows quantifying functional tumor biology across four dimensions: cell surface proteome (SurfaceSeek), phosphoproteomics (SignalingSeek), tumor immune microenvironment (ImmuneSeek), and resistance mechanisms (ResistanceSeek). Optimized for fresh-frozen and FFPE human tumor tissue. For oncology researchers and drug developers.
- Multi-Omics Studies Integrated omics services combining proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, cytokine profiling, and DNA/RNA sequencing to build comprehensive mechanistic insight from regulation through downstream functional outcomes.
- Biocomputational Analysis Multi-scale analyses including expert integration of molecular, phenotypic, and clinical data; integrated multi-omics analyses from regression analysis to ML-based modeling; and DynamiQ-powered biological contextualization to deliver decision-ready findings.
Quantifiable outcome
- 12,000+ proteins measured in tissue/tumor samples
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Sapient
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sapient technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature8 records
Sapient partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Alamar BiosciencescoreSapient is a Certified Service Provider for Alamar Biosciences' NULISA platform. The company has been formally trained and validated on the NULISA technology and its associated ARGO™ HT System, which is housed on-site in Sapient's laboratory. This enables ultra-sensitive detection of cytokines, chemokines, and neuroinflammatory mediators.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sapient competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Metabolon: Metabolon is a global leader in metabolomics services with a large proprietary reference library, comparable to Sapient's rLC-MS metabolomics platform and 13,000+ reference standards. Both compete for metabolomics-led biomarker discovery projects in pharma, nutrition, and academic research.
- Seer: Seer is a proteomics company developing its own deep proteome platform and reference database for biomarker discovery, conceptually similar to Sapient's DynamiQ + DIA proteomics strategy. Both companies are pursuing the vision of population-scale proteomic data as a differentiator.
- Biognosys: Biognosys is a Swiss proteomics CRO offering discovery and targeted mass spectrometry-based proteomics services similar to Sapient's DIA workflows. Both compete for pharma biomarker discovery programs and emphasize deep proteome coverage with quantitative robustness.
- Standard BioTools: Standard BioTools (formerly Fluidigm) operates a multi-omics proteomics and cytometry franchise serving translational research customers. While its core platform is mass cytometry-based, it competes with Sapient in biomarker discovery workflows serving academic and pharma translational pipelines.
- Caprion Biosciences: Caprion is a specialty CRO offering mass spectrometry-based proteomics and immune monitoring services for pharma and biotech, directly comparable to Sapient's targeted protein assays and tumor profiling workflows.
- Olink Holding (Olink Proteomics): Olink is a direct peer in protein biomarker discovery, offering proximity extension assay (PEA)-based multiplexed proteomics for pharma and academic customers. Sapient's DIA proteomics and Olink's antibody-based panels compete for the same biomarker discovery budgets in pharma translational research.
Emerging players
- Alamar Biosciences: Alamar Biosciences is the developer of the NULISA platform that Sapient runs as a Certified Service Provider. While primarily a technology provider rather than a CRO, Alamar's evolving service-provider network and direct assay offerings overlap with Sapient's NULISAseq service business.
- Nautilus Biotechnology: Nautilus is developing a single-molecule protein analysis platform aimed at deep proteome profiling. While its technology is distinct from Sapient's mass spectrometry approach, it targets the same biomarker discovery market with a similar promise of broad proteome coverage.
Broad incumbents
- Eurofins Scientific: Eurofins is a global life sciences testing services conglomerate offering biomarker, proteomics, and clinical diagnostics services at far greater scale. While not specialized in multi-omics biomarker discovery, it competes for large pharma outsourced laboratory budgets.
- Labcorp: Labcorp (including its Covance drug development CRO and central laboratory services) is a broad incumbent offering biomarker testing, companion diagnostics, and clinical trial lab services. It competes for enterprise biomarker budgets but lacks Sapient's depth in deep multi-omics discovery.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sapient social profiles
Digital presenceSapient financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sapient leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Sapient funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sapient M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sapient
What does Sapient do?
Sapient operates as a Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing fee-for-service multi-omics biomarker discovery and validation studies. The core offering combines mass spectrometry-based proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and NULISA cytokine profiling with the DynamiQ™ Insights Engine — a population-scale molecular-clinical database of over 67,000 pre-characterized human plasma samples used for biological contextualization, preclinical translation, target identification, and virtual experiments.
Is Sapient a public or private company?
Sapient is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sapient founded?
Sapient was founded in 2020. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Sapient based?
Sapient is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sapient make money?
One revenue line is on record: multi-Omics CRO Services.
Who are Sapient's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Metabolon, Seer, Biognosys, Standard BioTools, Caprion Biosciences and Olink Holding (Olink Proteomics). Emerging players are Alamar Biosciences and Nautilus Biotechnology. Broad incumbents are Eurofins Scientific and Labcorp.
Does Sapient have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sapient.
What industry is Sapient in?
Sapient's product category is Multi-Omics Biomarker Discovery Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGANAB, Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Services, with a secondary code of HLAAAMAA, Biomarker Discovery & Validation (omics, assay feasibility, clinical validation). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.