What Unchained Labs does

Unchained Labs is a private life sciences instrumentation company that develops and manufactures analytical instruments, microfluidic platforms, and laboratory automation systems for biologics, gene therapy, cell therapy, and nanoparticle drug development. Its product portfolio is organized into two layers: application-specific analytical and processing instruments (Stunner, Aunty, Lunatic, Honeybun, Leprechaun, Unagi, Big Tuna, Stunner AF) that combine techniques such as DLS, UV/Vis, SLS, DSF, single-particle interferometry, and UF/DF on low-volume, plate-based formats; and automation platforms (Stuntman, Big Kahuna, Junior, Sunny Suite comprising Sunscreen, Sunshine, and Sunbather) that span formulation screening, process development, and GMP-scale production of lipid nanoparticles. The company embeds Anthropic's Claude large language model within Stuntman to convert natural-language experiment descriptions into validated, hardware-executable scripts for closed-loop autonomous workflows.

The business sells high-value capital equipment through a consultative, demo-driven enterprise field sales model with direct coverage in the US, UK, Belgium, China, and Japan, supplemented by a global distributor network. Recurring revenue is generated through Stuntman annual software subscriptions, a consumables web store (Lunatic, Leprechaun, and other kits), and post-sale service and warranty contracts. The Carlyle Group is the private equity backer, and the company has executed a roll-up strategy with five acquisitions since 2015 (AVIA Biosystems, Trinean, Rap.ID, NanoView Biosciences, Blacktrace Ltd) to expand into adjacent gene therapy and nanoparticle characterization markets. The customer base spans large pharma, biotech, academic core facilities (UCLA MIC), and government research (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) across four primary verticals: biologics/gene therapy researchers, nanoparticle and LNP developers, materials science and energy researchers, and genomics researchers.

Name

Unchained Labs

Legal name

Unchained Labs

Website

https://unchainedlabs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Unchained Labs develops life sciences instruments and laboratory automation platforms for biologics, gene therapy, and nanoparticle drug development, selling capital equipment, consumables, and software subscriptions to pharma, biotech, academic, and government research customers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Life Science Instruments and Lab Automation

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation (Pipettes, Robots, Workstations) (HLAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lab Automation, Instrument Control & Workflow Orchestration Software (HLAGAJAG), AI/ML Platforms for Drug Discovery & Experiment Optimization (HLAGAJAO)

Keywords

• Life science instruments
• Biologics characterization tools
• Lab automation platforms
• Gene therapy tools
• Nanoparticle synthesis systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Pleasanton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Life Science Instruments and Automation Platforms: Sale of high-value capital equipment including analytical instruments (Stunner, Aunty, Lunatic, Honeybun, Leprechaun), automation systems (Stuntman, Big Tuna, Junior, Big Kahuna), and microfluidic platforms (Sunscreen, Sunshine, Sunbather). Instruments are sold directly and through distributors globally, with a consultative sales cycle involving demos and quotes.
2. Software Subscriptions: Annual subscription model for Stuntman software including built-in AI, API packages, GUI package for creating designs, running experiments and viewing results. Software subscriptions are sold separately from hardware and are renewable at mutual discretion of the parties.
3. Consumables: Sale of consumable kits and reagents through the company's web store. Products include Lunatic kits, Leprechaun kits (RNA kit, contaminant kit, Flex Kit), and other assay-specific consumables for the instrument platforms.
4. Professional Services and Support: Global service and support organization including field service, technical support, and contract testing services to help customers maximize value from their instruments and automation tools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Unchained Labs develops, manufactures, and sells life science instruments and lab automation platforms used by biologics, gene therapy, nanoparticle, and genomics researchers. The portfolio combines analytical characterization tools (DLS, UV/Vis, DSF, SLS, single particle interferometry, UF/DF, viscosity) with microfluidic synthesis systems and the Stuntman AI-driven automation platform that embeds Anthropic's Claude LLM for natural-language experiment design.

Product overview

Unchained Labs is a life sciences tools company offering a portfolio of specialized instruments and automation platforms for biologics, gene therapy, and nanoparticle research. The product portfolio centers on two major categories: (1) Analytical instruments for characterization including Stunner (DLS/UV/Vis for biologics), Aunty (DSF for protein stability), Lunatic (UV/Vis for proteins/nucleic acids), Honeybun (viscosity), Leprechaun (lentivirus/exosome characterization), and Unagi/Big Tuna (buffer exchange); and (2) Automation platforms including Stuntman (AI-driven modular automation), and the Sunny Suite for nanoparticles (Sunscreen, Sunshine, Sunbather for formulation screening, scale-up, and GMP production). The products work both independently and as integrated workflows, with Stuntman serving as a unifying automation platform that can incorporate various analytical and preparation modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Sunny Suite: Product line for nanoparticle synthesis including Sunscreen (formulation screening), Sunshine (process development and scale-up), and Sunbather (GMP production) - microfluidic mixing platforms for LNPs
• Big Kahuna
• Big Tuna
• Junior

Products and services

• Stuntman AI-driven lab automation platform combining native natural-language AI (Anthropic Claude) with fully modular hardware. Scientists describe experiments in plain language and the system converts prompts into validated, executable workflows with Python scripting and full API access. Configurable for chemistry, biologics, materials, and gene therapy workflows.
• Stunner Plate-based dynamic light scattering and UV/Vis tool for biologics characterization. Combines UV/Vis concentration, DLS, and SLS data from the same 2 µL sample. Supports protein quantification, sizing, aggregation detection, and ADC characterization (including the ADC Decode application for up to 96 samples).
• Aunty High-throughput plate-based Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF) and light scattering platform for protein stability characterization. Features full spectrum DSF, SLS, and DLS with quartz 96-well plates, reading the entire plate every minute during thermal ramps with Tm CVs ≤1% and temperature accuracy ±0.1°C using 8 µL per well.
• Lunatic Low-volume plate-based UV/Vis spectrophotometer for biologics and genomics. Delivers accurate microvolume quantification of proteins and nucleic acids with 2 µL samples across up to 96 wells, providing concentration and purity measurements with 2% accuracy and 1% precision across a dsDNA range of 1.5–13,750 ng/µL.
• Honeybun Fast low-volume viscometer for biologics using microfluidic flow resistance technology. Measures viscosity of protein solutions and biologics formulations.
• Unagi Fully automated benchtop UF/DF (ultrafiltration/diafiltration) system for buffer exchange and concentration. Hands-free operation for preparing biological samples including viral vector cleanup.
• Big Tuna Automated plate-based buffer exchange solution with UF/DF technology. Enables high-throughput sample preparation and buffer exchange in 96-well plate format for biologics, gene therapy, and nanoparticle workflows.
• Stunner AF Plate-based dynamic light scattering, UV/Vis and fluorescence tool specifically designed for LNPs (lipid nanoparticles). Measures sizing and encapsulation efficiency for nanoparticle formulations.
• Leprechaun Single-particle biophysical characterization system for lentivirus and exosomes. Uses single particle interferometry and immunofluorescence to characterize crude or purified samples, measuring viral titer, structure, contaminants, and extracellular vesicle concentration and phenotype.
• Sunscreen Automated nanoparticle synthesis platform for high-throughput LNP formulation screening using microfluidic mixing. Part of the Sunny Suite product family for nanoparticle synthesis.
• Sunshine All-purpose automated nanoparticle synthesis platform for LNP process development and production scale-up using microfluidic mixing. Can produce up to 50 liters in 24 hours in continuous mode.
• Sunbather GMP-ready nanoparticle production system using microfluidic mixing. Enables scalable manufacturing of LNPs and other nanoparticles for clinical and commercial applications.
• Junior Configurable benchtop automation system for smaller-scale laboratory workflows. Part of the Unchained Labs automation product family.
• Big Kahuna Configurable end-to-end workflow automation solution for comprehensive laboratory automation, including solid and liquid handling, reaction processing, and photochemical/electrochemical capabilities in 96-well plate formats.

Quantifiable outcome

• Stunner measures up to 96 samples in approximately 10 minutes for ADC DAR, concentration, and size characterization using just 2 µL per sample
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability6 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• UCLA Molecular Instrumentation CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 August 2025UCLA's MIC opened a High Throughput Synthesis and Catalysis (HTSC) facility equipped with robotic systems from Unchained Labs, acquired through an NIH High End Instrumentation grant. The facility uses Unchained Labs robots to offer high throughput experimentation services including solid and liquid handling, reaction processing, and photochemical and electrochemical capabilities. UCLA researchers access the facility through staff-assisted campaigns, presentations, or self-operated training.
• NanoView BiosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2022Unchained Labs acquired NanoView Biosciences to expand its gene therapy tool offerings. NanoView's ExoView and LentiView technologies are designed to characterize exosomes and lentivirus vectors, respectively, aiding gene therapy research. This acquisition strengthens Unchained Labs' position in the gene therapy tools market by adding complementary characterization technologies for exosomes and viral vectors.
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed AutoLabs, a generative agentic AI system that translates experimental goals into instructions for laboratory robots. The system was tested with Big Kahuna, an automated robot built by Unchained Labs. PNNL published findings in Scientific Reports and released the software on GitHub for other researchers to use. This collaboration validates Unchained Labs' hardware as an AI-compatible automation platform.
• NIH-Funded Research CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIH-funded researchers developed LLM-RDF, a GPT-4-powered framework for automated end-to-end chemical synthesis development. The system's validation included demonstrating on Unchained Labs instruments as part of broader automation workflows, illustrating compatibility with NIH-funded research initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Malvern Panalytical: Direct competitor in DLS, SLS, and other light scattering-based analytical instruments for biologics and nanoparticle characterization. Malvern's Zetasizer and other platforms overlap with Unchained Labs' Stunner and Aunty in biologics R&D labs, making it the most direct peer in analytical instrumentation.
• Tecan: Direct peer in laboratory automation and liquid handling robotics. Tecan's Freedom EVO and Fluent platforms compete with Unchained Labs' Big Kahuna, Junior, and Stuntman automation systems for high-throughput screening and workflow automation budgets.
• Hamilton Company: Direct peer in automated liquid handling workstations and robotics. Hamilton's Microlab STAR and NIMBUS platforms compete with Unchained Labs' benchtop automation products (Junior, Big Tuna) and serve the same biologics and genomics customers.
• Wyatt Technology: Direct competitor in multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and DLS instrumentation for macromolecule characterization. Wyatt's DAWN and DynaPro products overlap with the SLS/DLS capabilities in Unchained Labs' Stunner and Aunty for biologics and gene therapy analytics.
• Bio-Techne (ProteinSimple): Direct peer in protein characterization tools. ProteinSimple's Western blot, capillary electrophoresis, and protein analysis platforms (under Bio-Techne) compete with Unchained Labs' Stunner and Aunty for protein therapeutics characterization budgets. Notably, ProteinSimple was also founded by Tim Harkness.

Broad incumbents

• Waters Corporation: Broad incumbent in analytical chromatography, mass spectrometry, and lab informatics. Waters' analytical capabilities for biologics characterization overlap with Unchained Labs' Stunner and Lunatic in protein and nucleic acid quantification workflows.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Broad incumbent offering UV/Vis spectrometers (NanoDrop, Genesys), bioprocessing tools, chromatography, and mass spectrometry that overlap with Unchained Labs' Lunatic, Stunner, and automation products. Thermo Fisher's scale and bundled offering represent a significant competitive force.
• Agilent Technologies: Broad incumbent in analytical instrumentation including UV/Vis spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Agilent's plate readers and Cary UV/Vis systems overlap with Unchained Labs' Lunatic and Stunner, and several Unchained Labs executives previously worked at Agilent.
• Beckman Coulter Life Sciences: Broad incumbent in laboratory automation, flow cytometry, and particle characterization. Beckman Coulter's Biomek liquid handling and particle sizing instruments overlap with Unchained Labs' automation and analytical products; multiple Unchained Labs executives came from Beckman Coulter.
• Sartorius: Broad incumbent in bioprocessing and life sciences tools, including cell line development, filtration, and analytical instruments. Sartorius's Octet label-free detection platform competes with Unchained Labs' biologics characterization products for protein interaction analysis budgets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/infounchained
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/UnchainedLabs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unchained-labs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A5 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unchained Labs