Isospec Analytics

What Isospec Analytics does

Isospec Analytics is a Swiss life science company founded in 2022 as a spin-off from EPFL's Rizzo Lab (where the underlying CIRIS technology received over $4M in research grants), headquartered in Lausanne. The company builds and applies proprietary CIRIS (Cryogenic Infrared Ion Spectroscopy) technology integrated with mass spectrometry and AI to identify and structurally characterize small molecules, glycans, metabolites, and biologics—addressing a core problem in analytical chemistry: distinguishing closely related isomers without analytical standards. Its portfolio of services spans biomarker discovery, therapeutic characterization (including monoclonal antibody glycosylation and small-molecule metabolite identification), and glycan analysis for applications such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), prebiotics, and fermentation products.

Name

Isospec Analytics

Legal name

Isospec Analytics SA

Website

https://isospecanalytics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Isospec Analytics is a Lausanne-based EPFL spin-off providing AI-enhanced cryogenic infrared ion spectroscopy (CIRIS) molecular identification services for pharmaceutical, nutrition, and healthcare clients, with strategic partnerships with Agilent and Danone.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Research Organization (Analytical / Molecular Spectroscopy Services)

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioanalytical & Biomarker CROs (PK/PD/Immunogenicity) (HLAGAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Services (HLAGANAB), Metabolomics & Lipidomics Services (HLAGANAG)

Keywords

• Molecular identification services
• Cryogenic infrared spectroscopy
• Biomarker discovery services
• Glycan analysis services
• Mass spectrometry services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Molecular Identification Services (Contract Research): The company operates as a contract research organization (CRO) providing molecular identification services through its applications lab. Customers provide biological samples; Isospec performs LC-MS, MS/MS, and CIRIS analysis; AI interprets data; and a comprehensive report is delivered. Services cover biomarker discovery, product characterization, metabolite structural identification, and glycan sequencing. This is the primary revenue-generating model.
2. Early Access Molecular Services: The company offers early access to molecular ID services through its applications lab, with a structured project workflow: project definition, measurements (LC-MS, MS/MS, CIRIS), data interpretation (ML tools), and reporting. Raw data available in under 24 hours upon request.
3. Glycan Analysis Services: Specialized services for glycan analysis including human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) identification, glycan fermentation product identification, and glycan discovery. Targets infant nutrition, prebiotic, and therapeutic applications.
4. Therapeutic Characterization Services: Monoclonal antibody glycosylation analysis and small drug metabolite identification for pharmaceutical clients. Supports drug development and approval processes by providing rapid and confident molecular identification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Isospec Analytics operates an applications lab that delivers contract molecular identification services to pharmaceutical, nutrition/agritech, and healthcare clients. Customers submit biological samples; Isospec performs LC-MS, MS/MS, and CIRIS measurements; proprietary AI interprets the spectra; and a comprehensive report is returned. The service portfolio covers biomarker discovery, product characterization, metabolite structural identification, glycan sequencing (including human milk oligosaccharides), monoclonal antibody glycosylation analysis, and small drug metabolite identification.

Product overview

Isospec Analytics offers a unified molecular identification platform centered on its proprietary CIRIS (Cryogenic Infrared Ion Spectroscopy) technology combined with mass spectrometry and AI. The core portfolio consists of three integrated service offerings: Glycan Analysis Services (for HMO analysis, fermentation products, and discovery), Therapeutic Characterization Services (for antibody glycosylation and metabolite ID), and Biomarker Discovery Services. These are supported by an Early Access Applications Lab providing priority molecular ID services. The AI-Enhanced Molecular Identification Platform powers all services with machine learning algorithms that process spectral data for rapid, accurate results.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Glycan Analysis Services Molecular identification services for infant nutrition and prebiotics, including human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) panel analysis, glycan fermentation product identification, and glycan discovery for nutritional and medical applications. Targeted at nutrition and agritech companies developing infant formula, HMOs, prebiotics, and functional foods.
• Therapeutic Characterization Services Drug and therapeutic characterization services including monoclonal antibody glycosylation analysis and small drug metabolite identification, provided to pharmaceutical clients to support drug development and approval processes.
• Biomarker Discovery Services Advanced biomarker discovery services providing access to the glycome and metabolome by combining LC-MS with proprietary CIRIS technology, automation, and AI tools to deliver actionable insights for pharmaceutical and healthcare/diagnostics customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 15,000 unique molecules identified per blood sample, vs. less than 5% coverage by conventional methods
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Danone ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025Isospec Analytics and Danone Research published a joint study in November 2025 on the identification of novel human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) using cryogenic infrared ion spectroscopy (CIRIS). The collaboration precisely characterized four novel trifucosylated HMOs for which no analytical standards existed. Authors from both Isospec Analytics/EPFL and Danone Research & Utrecht University collaborated on the publication, demonstrating bridging of analytical innovation with applied nutritional research.
• Agilent TechnologiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2024Isospec Analytics and Agilent Technologies announced a strategic collaboration in December 2024 aimed at revolutionizing biomolecular analysis. The collaboration integrates Isospec's cryogenic IR spectroscopy with Agilent's 6546 LC/QTOF instrument, combining MS sensitivity with structural elucidation capabilities. Agilent contributes world-class engineering, manufacturing, distribution channels, and global marketing to bring this hybrid technology to researchers worldwide in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and academia. Dr. Ahmed Ben Faleh (CEO) and Dr. Shane Tichy (Associate VP R&D at Agilent) both commented on the milestone.
• MSVisioncoreTechnology or IntegrationMS Vision and Isospec Analytics formed a strategic partnership to introduce cryogenic IR spectroscopy into existing IMS-MS instruments. MS Vision modified a Waters Synapt instrument (Photo-Synapt) to enable photodissociation of mobility-selected ions, and will integrate Isospec's CIRIS technology to allow spectroscopic studies of mobility-selected ions. The partnership leverages Isospec's advanced technology with MS Vision's hardware modification expertise.
• Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsospec Analytics was spun off from EPFL's Rizzo Lab in 2022, based on the lab's extensive experience ($4M+ in research grants) in combining mass spectrometry with cryogenic ion spectroscopy. The Rizzo Lab continues to be a source of scientific talent and research collaboration, with Prof. Thomas Rizzo serving as CSO and co-founder.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Biognosys: Switzerland-based proteomics CRO offering mass spectrometry-based discovery and quantification services for pharma and biotech. Directly comparable to Isospec as a specialty analytical services provider in proteomics/biomarker workflows.

Broad incumbents

• Bruker Corporation: Major analytical instruments vendor with strong presence in mass spectrometry, NMR, and infrared spectroscopy. Comparable as a large incumbent across the same technology stack and customer base (pharma, academic, clinical research).
• Waters Corporation: Leading mass spectrometry and LC vendor, maker of the Synapt IMS-MS platform that Isospec partner MSVision modified. Comparable as a major instrument incumbent whose products Isospec's CIRIS technology integrates with and potentially augments.
• Agilent Technologies: Global life sciences and analytical instruments leader and Isospec's strategic partner. Comparable as both a collaborator and a potential competitor in mass spectrometry and molecular ID workflows across pharma, biotech, and diagnostics.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Largest diversified life sciences tools and analytical instruments company, with deep mass spectrometry, chromatography, and clinical diagnostics portfolios. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same end customers.
• SCIEX: Specialist in mass spectrometry and LC-MS/MS instruments serving pharma, clinical research, and food/environmental testing. Comparable as a focused incumbent in the same core analytical technology category.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global leader in contract laboratory testing services across pharma, food, and clinical sectors. Comparable as a large-scale services platform for outsourced molecular and bioanalytical testing that competes for similar CRO budgets.
• Charles River Laboratories: Major CRO offering preclinical, discovery, and bioanalytical services to pharma and biotech. Comparable as an established CRO serving similar buyer personas with adjacent analytical and characterization capabilities.
• Shimadzu Corporation: Japanese analytical instruments manufacturer with broad mass spectrometry, chromatography, and spectroscopy product lines. Comparable as an incumbent competitor in the same instrument categories Isospec's CIRIS augments.

Emerging players

• 908 Devices: Public company developing specialized mass spectrometry and chemical detection devices for life sciences, safety, and clinical use. Comparable as a smaller, tech-focused peer in advanced analytical instrumentation with a similar growth-stage profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isospec-analytics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors5 records

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Isospec Analytics