InSphero
InSphero AG is a Swiss biotechnology company that develops 3D in vitro microtissue models, organ-on-chip platforms, and contract research services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers seeking human-relevant, non-animal alternatives for preclinical drug discovery and safety assessment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersSchlieren, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What InSphero does
InSphero AG is a Swiss privately held biotechnology company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Schlieren, Switzerland, with a regional operating office in Brunswick, Maine, serving the United States and Canada. The company develops 3D in vitro cell-based assay platforms — combining scaffold-free Akura™ microplates, Akura™ Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems (Flow, Immune Flow, Twin), Gri3D® hydrogel microcavity plates (acquired from DOPPL SA / Sun Bioscience in November 2025), ARCTis™ cryopreserved 3D tumor models, and the RealBrain® neural platform co-developed with Tessara — for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers seeking human-relevant, non-animal alternatives to preclinical drug testing. Layered on this technology base are high-content imaging (strengthened by the May 2026 PhenoVista Biosciences acquisition), TempO-Seq-based RNA sequencing modules, AI-enabled fibrosis digital pathology (via PharmaNest partnership), and a portfolio of regulatory-relevant NAMs aligned with the FDA's April 2025 Roadmap to Reducing Animal Testing and NIH organoid standardization initiatives.
InSphero operates a dual-track commercial model. Product revenue comes from catalog sales of Akura™ and Gri3D® microplates, Akura™ Organ-on-Chip platforms, the Akura™ Tilting Stand, InSphero Incubox™, and ready-to-use 3D InSight™ microtissues (liver, islet, tumor) shipped via the proprietary InFloat™ solution, distributed through the company's own e-commerce storefront (shop.insphero.com) and an authorized distributor network. Service and contract-research revenue comes from quote-based 3D InSight™ engagements — Liver Microtissues, DILI Service, DIGIT™ GI Toxicity, Translational and Investigative Toxicology, RNA-Seq reports, MASH/MASLD screening, immuno-oncology screening, therapeutic modality screening, and tumor penetration screening — priced via dedicated service schedule pages rather than published price lists.
The go-to-market is sales-led and B2B, targeting enterprise pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D buyers through direct regional offices in Switzerland and the United States, an event-driven presence at industry venues (e.g., BIO Convention 2026 NAMs Industry Mixer), a scientific content-marketing program (peer-reviewed publications, white papers, webinars, application notes), and partnership-driven co-marketing with PharmaNest, Tessara, and ETH Zurich. The company is a founding member of IAMPS (Industry Alliance for Microphysiological Systems, expected operational Q2 2026) and holds ISO 9001:2015 certification (2023–2026). Its primary end-users are pharma/biotech R&D organizations (estimated ~55–59% of organ-on-chip demand), with secondary reach into academic and government research institutions (including a peer-reviewed collaboration with the U.S. FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research).
InSphero firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- InSphero
- Legal name
- InSphero AG
- Website
- https://insphero.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- InSphero AG is a Swiss biotechnology company that develops 3D in vitro microtissue models, organ-on-chip platforms, and contract research services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers seeking human-relevant, non-animal alternatives for preclinical drug discovery and safety assessment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
InSphero industry classification
Industry- Product category
- 3D In Vitro Cell Culture and Organ-on-Chip Technologies
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- In Vitro Toxicology (Cell-based/Organ-on-chip) (HLAGAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- In Vitro Model Systems & Organoid Platforms (iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems) (HLAAAIAJ), In Silico / Computational Toxicology & PK/PD Modeling (HLAGAFAM), Cell-Based & Potency Assays (Bioassays) (HLAGADAH)
Keywords
Where InSphero is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Schlieren
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
InSphero business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Product sales (3D cell culture tools and microplates): One-time/perpetual-license product sales of catalog items including Akura™ 96 and 384 Spheroid Microplates, Akura™ PLUS Hanging Drop System, Gri3D® Hydrogel Microcavity Plates, Akura™ Organ-on-Chip platforms (Flow, Immune Flow, Twin), Akura™ Tilting Stand, InSphero Incubox™, and ready-to-use spheroids/kits. Distributed via own online shop (shop.insphero.com) and authorized distributors.
- 3D InSight™ Contract Research / Services: Fee-for-service offerings including 3D InSight™ Liver Microtissues, DILI Service Schedule, DIGIT Service Schedule, 3D InSight™ Translational Toxicology Service, 3D InSight™ Investigative Toxicology, species-specific toxicology, RNA-Seq sample reports, and 3D InSight™ Human Beta Cell Proliferation Service for pharma/biotech customers.
- Ready-to-use spheroids and 3D cell culture kits: Catalogue product sales of assay-ready 3D InSight™ Microtissues (liver, islet, tumor) and kits shipped via the proprietary InFloat™ shipping solution, used by pharma, biotech, and academic customers.
- Custom assay development and partnerships: Co-development, custom assay, and partnership revenue streams — exemplified by PharmaNest collaboration for AI-powered single-fiber digital pathology in fibrosis, and PhenoVista acquisition enabling high-content imaging assay services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Catalog products (Akura™ microplates, Gri3D® plates, Akura™ Organ-on-Chip platforms, ready-to-use spheroids/kits) — quote-based via shop.insphero.com and distributors. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | 3D InSight™ services (Liver Microtissues, DILI, DIGIT, RNA-Seq, Investigative Toxicology) — quote-based service engagements with production/scheduling calendars. |
Go-to-market motion5 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
InSphero product offering
Product offeringCore offering
InSphero develops and sells proprietary 3D in vitro cell-based assay platforms — including scaffold-free Akura™ microplates, Gri3D® hydrogel microcavity plates, and Akura™ Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems — alongside ready-to-use microtissues, cryopreserved 3D tumor models (ARCTis™), and contract research services (3D InSight™) for pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug discovery, toxicology, and safety assessment. The integrated product-plus-service model enables scalable, human-relevant, non-animal preclinical testing across liver safety, oncology/immuno-oncology, islet biology, gastrointestinal toxicity, fibrosis, and neuroscience applications.
Product overview
InSphero offers a single, integrated 3D in vitro platform for non-animal drug discovery and safety assessment, built around three core technologies—Akura™ Microplate Technology, Akura™ Organ-on-Chip Technology, and Gri3D® Hydrogel Microcavity Technology (acquired from DOPPL SA / Sun Bioscience)—together with the RealBrain® neural platform (partnered with Tessara) and a TempO-Seq-based RNA sequencing module. On top of this technology base, InSphero runs a portfolio of ready-to-use products and services under the 3D InSight™ brand, including 3D InSight™ Human and Species-Specific Liver Microtissues, the DILI Reference Database, 3D InSight™ Human Islet Microtissues, ARCTis™ cryopreserved patient-derived 3D tumor models, the 3D InSight™ GI Toxicity Screening Platform, and the DIGIT™ GI platform co-developed with DOPPL. Service modules—3D InSight™ Investigative Toxicology, Translational Toxicology, Predictive DILI, MASH/MASLD screening, immuno-oncology screening, antibody penetration, and tumor penetration screening—combine these microtissues with high-content imaging and AI/machine-learning analytics (notably via the PhenoVista Biosciences acquisition) to deliver human-relevant liver safety, islet biology, oncology, immunology, fibrosis, and gastrointestinal toxicology solutions for pharmaceutical and biotech R&D.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 3D InSight™: Branded service and product line for InSphero's 3D in vitro assays and microtissue offerings (e.g., 3D InSight™ Liver Microtissues, DILI Service, Translational Toxicology Service).
- Akura™
- Gri3D®
- ARCTis™
- RealBrain®
- InFloat™
- InSphero Incubox™
- DIGIT™
Products and services
- Akura™ 96 Spheroid Microplate 96-well Akura™ microplate optimized for scaffold-free spheroid culture, enabling manual medium exchange in under two minutes and high-content imaging; sold to pharma, biotech, and academic laboratories for 3D cell culture workflows.
- Akura™ 384 Spheroid Microplate 384-well Akura™ microplate for high-throughput scaffold-free 3D spheroid culture and screening workflows; sold to laboratories requiring scalable high-throughput 3D assays.
- Akura™ PLUS Hanging Drop System Hanging drop system for generating and maintaining uniform 3D spheroids in a standardized, scalable format for research laboratories.
- Gri3D® Hydrogel Microcavity Plates Standardized Gri3D® hydrogel microcavity plates supporting reproducible organoid and 3D microtissue culture with broad plate-reader and automation compatibility; sold to pharma, biotech, and academic researchers.
- Akura™ Flow Organ-on-Chip System Perfusion microphysiological system for long-term 3D tissue culture supporting drug metabolism, DDI prediction, and chronic exposure studies; sold to pharmaceutical researchers.
- Akura™ Immune Flow Organ-on-Chip System Microfluidic organ-on-chip that maintains immune cells in circulation while interacting with 3D tissue models for over six days via gravity-driven tilting; targets immuno-oncology and antibody-based cancer treatment research.
- Akura™ Twin Organ-on-Chip Platform Dual-channel microphysiological platform within the Akura™ organ-on-chip family for parallel tissue conditions or multi-tissue co-culture; sold to researchers requiring comparative or multi-tissue in vitro studies.
- Akura™ Tilting Stand Mechanical tilting stand that drives gravity-mediated perfusion in Akura™ Organ-on-Chip platforms (e.g., Akura Immune Flow), enabling pump-free circulation of immune cells.
- InSphero Incubox™ Incubation accessory designed to maintain optimal conditions for 3D microtissue handling and short-term culture outside the incubator.
- Akura™ 3D SureKit Ready-to-use 3D cell culture kit built on Akura™ technology for standardized liver and other 3D assay workflows.
- ARCTis™ Cryopreserved 3D Tumor Models Cryopreserved, ready-to-use 3D tumor spheroid models for cancer research, enabling fast and reproducible testing of small molecules, biologics, and antibody penetration.
- Ready-to-use Spheroids and 3D Cell Culture Kits Catalogue of ready-to-use spheroids, microtissues, and 3D cell culture kits delivered assay-ready with InFloat™ shipping solution; sold to pharma, biotech, and academic customers.
- 3D InSight™ Human Liver Microtissues Assay-ready, cryopreserved and ready-to-use 3D human liver microtissues used for DILI screening, MASH/MASLD modeling, and predictive liver toxicology.
- 3D InSight™ Species-Specific Liver Microtissues Assay-ready liver spheroids from multiple species for cross-species translational hepatotoxicity and safety pharmacology assessments.
- 3D InSight™ Human Islet Microtissues 3D human islet microtissues for diabetes, beta-cell proliferation, and metabolic disease drug discovery.
- 3D InSight™ GI Toxicity Screening Platform 3D in vitro gastrointestinal toxicity screening platform using human intestinal organoids in Akura™/Gri3D® plates for drug-induced GI toxicity assessment.
- 3D InSight™ Patient-derived Primary Tumor Spheroids Platform High-throughput platform of patient-derived primary tumor spheroids for pre-clinical oncology drug discovery and screening.
- DIGIT™ Platform Microphysiological gastrointestinal platform co-developed with DOPPL SA that combines organoid technology with InSphero's assay infrastructure for gastrointestinal research applications.
- 3D InSight™ DILI Testing Service Advanced predictive drug-induced liver injury (DILI) testing service using 3D InSight™ liver microtissues and reference compound datasets; for pharmaceutical and biotech customers.
- 3D InSight™ Investigative Toxicology Service Custom investigative liver safety services leveraging 3D liver microtissues for mechanism-of-action and hazard characterization studies.
- 3D InSight™ Translational Toxicology Service Translational hepatotoxicity service combining cross-species liver microtissues, RNA-Seq, and human-relevant in vitro data to support drug development.
- 3D In Vitro MASH Screening Service In vitro MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) screening service for lead selection using 3D liver spheroid models.
- 3D InSight™ Immuno-Oncology Screening Service 3D in vitro immuno-oncology screening platform using immune-competent tumor microtissues for evaluating checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell killing, and cell therapies.
- 3D InSight™ Therapeutic Modality Screening Service Service for profiling therapeutic modalities (small molecules, antibodies, ADCs) against 3D tumor spheroid models.
- 3D InSight™ Tumor Penetration Screening Service Tumor penetration screening service measuring antibody and drug distribution within 3D tumor spheroids.
- 3D InSight™ Human Beta Cell Proliferation Service Service for screening compounds that promote human beta-cell proliferation using 3D islet microtissues.
- 3D InSight™ RNA-Seq Analysis Service TempO-Seq targeted RNA sequencing service on 3D InSight™ spheroids and microtissues with BASIC, Gene Mining, and Extended analysis reports for toxicology and disease mechanism studies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Akura™ 96 Spheroid Microplate enables manual medium exchange under 2 minutes
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use InSphero
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
InSphero technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability8 records
Feature9 records
InSphero partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- TessaraflagshipCo-development partnership behind RealBrain® Technology — a brain-specific 3D in vitro technology jointly marketed by InSphero and Tessara for scalable, human-relevant neural models used in neuroscience drug discovery.
- PharmaNest Inc.flagshipStrategic partnership announced in February 2026 combining InSphero's 3D spheroid models with PharmaNest's AI-powered single-fiber digital pathology platform to enable precise phenotyping of fibrotic diseases such as MASH, offering pharma/biotech customers an integrated drug efficacy screening solution that replaces animal testing with human-relevant in-vitro models.
- DOPPL SAflagshipLausanne-based DOPPL SA, an innovator in the organoid space, was acquired by InSphero AG (announced 11 November 2025). The acquisition brought DOPPL's organoid expertise and the Gri3D® hydrogel microcavity technology into InSphero's portfolio, strengthening its position in 3D cell-based assays, organ-on-chip systems, and gastrointestinal toxicity (DIGIT™ platform).
- Sun BioscienceflagshipAcquisition of Sun Bioscience's Gri3D® hydrogel microcavity technology (announced 11 November 2025) combined with the DOPPL SA deal to enhance InSphero's 3D cell model offerings, enabling scalable spheroid and organoid technologies for pharmaceutical R&D.
- PhenoVista Biosciences, Inc.flagshipPhenoVista Biosciences was acquired by InSphero AG (announced May 2026) to combine PhenoVista's high-content imaging and phenotypic assay development expertise with InSphero's scalable 3D biology platforms and AkuraFlow microphysiological systems, accelerating U.S. expansion and adoption of human-relevant in vitro technologies across pharma/biotech, with opportunities in oncology, fibrosis, neuroscience, and safety assessment.
- ETH ZurichcoreJoint research collaboration between ETH Zurich researchers and InSphero AG to develop a gravity-driven microfluidic platform that keeps immune cells in continuous circulation interacting with 3D tissue models for over six days, validated with primary human immune cells and tumor spheroids to improve preclinical testing of immunotherapies and antibody-based cancer treatments.
- IAMPS (Industry Alliance for Microphysiological Systems)flagshipFounding member (alongside Alveolix, BiomimX, Chiron, Dynamic42, MIMETAS, NETRI, React4Life, and TissUse) of IAMPS — the world's first industry association dedicated to representing microphysiological systems providers across Europe. IAMPS will work to increase regulatory acceptance of MPS data, create data-sharing platforms, and advance device standardization, with operational launch in Q2 2026.
- AlveolixminorCo-founding member of IAMPS alongside InSphero, contributing to industry-wide efforts on regulatory acceptance, data sharing, and device standardization for microphysiological systems.
- BiomimXminorCo-founding member of IAMPS alongside InSphero, contributing to industry-wide efforts on regulatory acceptance, data sharing, and device standardization for microphysiological systems.
- ChironminorCo-founding member of IAMPS alongside InSphero, contributing to industry-wide efforts on regulatory acceptance, data sharing, and device standardization for microphysiological systems.
- Dynamic42minorCo-founding member of IAMPS alongside InSphero, contributing to industry-wide efforts on regulatory acceptance, data sharing, and device standardization for microphysiological systems.
- MIMETASminorCo-founding member of IAMPS alongside InSphero, contributing to industry-wide efforts on regulatory acceptance, data sharing, and device standardization for microphysiological systems.
- NETRIminorCo-founding member of IAMPS alongside InSphero, contributing to industry-wide efforts on regulatory acceptance, data sharing, and device standardization for microphysiological systems.
- React4LifeminorCo-founding member of IAMPS alongside InSphero, contributing to industry-wide efforts on regulatory acceptance, data sharing, and device standardization for microphysiological systems.
- TissUseminorCo-founding member of IAMPS alongside InSphero, contributing to industry-wide efforts on regulatory acceptance, data sharing, and device standardization for microphysiological systems.
- U.S. FDA National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR)coreJoint publication / research collaboration on hepatotoxicity assessment leveraging InSphero liver microtissues; cited as a regulatory-science collaboration validating InSphero's 3D in vitro models for translational drug safety assessment.
- Authorized distributors (network)coreDistributors page on the InSphero website indicates a global network of authorized distributors reselling catalog 3D cell culture tools, microplates, and kits in regions beyond direct sales coverage.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
InSphero competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CN Bio Innovations: CN Bio offers PhysioMimix™ organ-on-chip systems for liver, lung, and gut toxicology, and is named alongside InSphero among the four largest organ-on-chip market share holders. Both target pharma toxicology and DILI applications with microphysiological platforms.
- Emulate: Emulate is the leading organ-on-chip company (Liver-Chip S1 FDA ISTAND-validated, 87% DILI sensitivity) and is consistently listed alongside InSphero as a top organ-on-chip market share leader. Both target pharma/biotech customers with microphysiological systems for preclinical drug safety and efficacy.
- TissUse: TissUse develops multi-organ-on-chip systems (Humimic) for systemic toxicology and is a co-founding IAMPS member alongside InSphero. Both serve pharma/biotech with microphysiological systems aimed at replacing animal testing.
- NETRI: NETRI develops organ-on-chip and microfluidic 3D cell culture technologies for neurobiology and industrial applications, and is a co-founding member of IAMPS with InSphero. Both serve pharma/biotech with microphysiological platforms.
- MIMETAS: MIMETAS develops OrganoPlate® microfluidic 3D cell culture platforms and is one of the four leading organs-on-chips companies alongside InSphero. Both companies are founding members of IAMPS and serve pharma/biotech toxicology and disease modeling use cases.
- Hesperos: Hesperos builds multi-organ, serum-free human-on-a-chip microphysiological systems used for toxicology and rare disease modeling, and is listed alongside InSphero as a key Disease-on-Chip market player. Both compete in pharma/biotech preclinical services.
Emerging players
- Kirkstall: Kirkstall provides Quasi Vivo® multi-organ 3D cell culture systems that connect multiple tissue models for toxicology testing, overlapping with InSphero's Akura™ Flow and OoC offerings for pharma/biotech customers.
- Alveolix: Alveolix develops lung-on-chip models for respiratory drug testing and is a co-founding IAMPS member with InSphero. Both contribute to industry-wide MPS standardization efforts relevant to InSphero's regulatory roadmap.
- Dynamic42: Dynamic42 develops organ-on-chip models with focus on inflammation, immunology, and liver applications, and is a co-founding IAMPS member. The overlap with InSphero is in microphysiological systems for pharma/biotech toxicology and disease modeling.
Broad incumbents
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher is a leading life sciences tools and 3D cell culture supplier (named alongside InSphero in scaffold-free 3D cell culture market reports) and competes with InSphero's catalog tools (microplates, OoC platforms, kits) through its CellInsight, Nunc, and Gibco portfolios.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
InSphero social profiles
Digital presenceInSphero compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
InSphero financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
InSphero leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
InSphero subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
InSphero funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
InSphero M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about InSphero
What does InSphero do?
InSphero develops and sells proprietary 3D in vitro cell-based assay platforms — including scaffold-free Akura™ microplates, Gri3D® hydrogel microcavity plates, and Akura™ Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems — alongside ready-to-use microtissues, cryopreserved 3D tumor models (ARCTis™), and contract research services (3D InSight™) for pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug discovery, toxicology, and safety assessment. The integrated product-plus-service model enables scalable, human-relevant, non-animal preclinical testing across liver safety, oncology/immuno-oncology, islet biology, gastrointestinal toxicity, fibrosis, and neuroscience applications.
Is InSphero a public or private company?
InSphero is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was InSphero founded?
InSphero was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is InSphero based?
InSphero is headquartered in Schlieren, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does InSphero make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Product sales (3D cell culture tools and microplates) is the primary driver. The others are 3D InSight™ Contract Research / Services, ready-to-use spheroids and 3D cell culture kits and custom assay development and partnerships.
Who are InSphero's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CN Bio Innovations, Emulate, TissUse, NETRI, MIMETAS and Hesperos. Emerging players are Kirkstall, Alveolix and Dynamic42. Thermo Fisher Scientific is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does InSphero have an API?
No public API is recorded for InSphero.
What industry is InSphero in?
InSphero's product category is 3D In Vitro Cell Culture and Organ-on-Chip Technologies. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAFAJ, In Vitro Toxicology (Cell-based/Organ-on-chip), with a secondary code of HLAAAIAJ, In Vitro Model Systems & Organoid Platforms (iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.