Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

What Beckman Coulter Life Sciences does

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences is the laboratory automation and life sciences instrumentation subsidiary of Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR), operating under the legal entity Beckman Coulter, Inc. with headquarters in Brea, California. The company manufactures and sells a broad instrument portfolio spanning tip-based liquid handlers (Biomek i-Series including i3, i5, and i7 workstations), tip-less acoustic liquid handlers (Echo 525 and Echo 650 Plus Series using Acoustic Droplet Ejection at 2.5 nL resolution), flow cytometry platforms (CytoFLEX family, AQUIOS CL, DxFLEX, CytoFLEX SRT, MoFlo Astrios cell sorters), centrifuges and ultracentrifuges, cell viability and bioanalyte analyzers (Vi-CELL BLU, Vi-CELL MetaFLEX, Multisizer 4e using the proprietary Coulter Principle), air and liquid particle counters (MET ONE and HIAC), and microbioreactors (BioLector XT), supported by proprietary reagents (SPRI beads, flow cytometry antibodies, Valita Titer assays, density gradient media), analysis software (Kaluza, Cytobank), and integrated automation platforms (Access Dual Robot System, Access Laboratory Workstation, Biomek Echo One, Cydem VT). The portfolio is anchored by decades-old proprietary technologies including the Coulter Principle (1954), Acoustic Droplet Ejection, Digital Pulse Processing, SPRI bead chemistry, Dynamic Fluid Analysis, and Long Life Lasers, and is extended via the Access Solutions Group's custom integration capabilities and a library of 400+ device drivers from 77+ third-party suppliers.

Revenue is generated across five streams: capital instrument sales (hardware across liquid handling, flow cytometry, centrifugation, particle counting, cell analysis), proprietary reagents and consumables, software licenses and subscriptions (Kaluza, Cytobank, CytExpert), recurring service and maintenance contracts (installation, preventive maintenance, calibration, qualification, technical support), and professional services for custom integration, application support, training, and qualification. The go-to-market is a global enterprise field-sales motion with a quote-based purchasing process, complemented by a redesigned global eStore and dedicated sales engineering teams such as the Access Solutions Group. Primary customer segments are pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, life sciences research institutions, and clinical diagnostic laboratories, with secondary segments in pharmaceutical manufacturing (cleanroom and environmental monitoring under EU GMP Annex 1, FDA cGMP, and ISO 14644/21501) and industrial applications (semiconductor, hard disk drive, flat panel display, forensics, agriculture). The company holds nine active sub-brands (Biomek, Echo, CytoFLEX, MET ONE, HIAC, Vi-CELL, Access, Cydem VT, OptiMATE), operates across global regional websites, and has pursued inorganic expansion through the acquisitions of Labcyte Inc. (2019) and ValitaCell Ltd., with the most recent product launches — the Biomek i3 Benchtop Liquid Handler and the Echo 650 Plus Series — occurring in 2025.

Name

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

Legal name

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

Website

https://mybeckman.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, a Danaher subsidiary, manufactures laboratory automation and life sciences instrumentation — including Biomek liquid handlers, Echo acoustic dispensers, CytoFLEX flow cytometers, centrifuges, particle counters, and cell analyzers — selling to pharmaceutical, biotech, clinical diagnostics, and industrial customers worldwide through enterprise field sales, recurring reagent and service contracts, and custom integration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Automation and Life Sciences Instrumentation

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE), General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens) (HLAGAIAC), Lab Automation, Instrument Control & Workflow Orchestration Software (HLAGAJAG), Automation, Controls & Manufacturing Execution for Bioprocessing (SCADA/DCS/PLC/MES) (HLAAAJAE)

Keywords

• Laboratory automation instruments
• Liquid handling systems
• Flow cytometry platforms
• Cleanroom particle counters
• Cell viability analyzers

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Instruments: Sale of laboratory instruments including liquid handlers (Biomek, Echo), flow cytometers, centrifuges, cell counters, particle counters, and TOC analyzers. Instruments range from benchtop models to floor-standing systems.
2. Reagents and Consumables: Proprietary reagents, consumables, and supplies including cell culture reagents, flow cytometry antibodies, SPRI beads, pipette tips, labware, and specialized plates.
3. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Software for liquid handling scheduling, flow cytometry analysis (Kaluza, CytExpert, Cytobank), and instrument control.
4. Service Plans: Comprehensive service plans including installation, preventive maintenance, calibration, qualification, and technical support contracts.
5. Professional Services: Custom integration services, application support, training, and qualification services for laboratory automation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences designs, manufactures, and sells laboratory automation and life sciences instrumentation including automated liquid handling workstations (Biomek tip-based and Echo acoustic), flow cytometers and cell sorters, centrifuges, air and liquid particle counters, cell viability analyzers, microbioreactors, and TOC analyzers. The company also supplies proprietary reagents and consumables, flow cytometry analysis software, and integrated automation solutions backed by service and qualification contracts to pharmaceutical, biotech, clinical, and industrial customers worldwide.

Product overview

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences offers a comprehensive portfolio of laboratory instruments, reagents, and software organized into distinct product categories: Air Particle Counters (MET ONE series for cleanroom monitoring), Automated Cell Culture Systems (Cydem VT for clone screening), Liquid Handling (Biomek i-Series tip-based and Echo Acoustic tip-less systems), Cell Analysis (Vi-CELL BLU, Vi-CELL MetaFLEX, Multisizer 4e), Flow Cytometry (CytoFLEX research platforms, clinical cytometers, cell sorters), Centrifugation (benchtop to ultracentrifuge), Microbioreactors (BioLector XT), and Particle/TOC Analyzers. These instruments are supported by dedicated reagents (SPRI beads, flow cytometry antibodies, titer assays), software (Kaluza, Cytobank, Biomek/Echo software), and integrated automation solutions (Access systems, Biomek Echo One). The portfolio serves life sciences, biotech, pharma, clinical diagnostics, and industrial sectors with a unified ecosystem designed for workflow compatibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Biomek: Automated tip-based liquid handling workstations for laboratory automation across applications including NGS library prep, drug discovery, and multi-omics.
• Echo
• CytoFLEX
• MET ONE
• HIAC
• Vi-CELL
• Access
• Cydem VT
• OptiMATE

Products and services

• MET ONE 3400+ Series Air Particle Counter Portable air particle counter for pharmaceutical cleanroom classification and environmental monitoring with interactive SOP workflows, web-based remote access, and built-in audit trail supporting 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
• MET ONE HHPC+ Series Handheld Air Particle Counter Lightweight handheld particle counter for cleanroom spot-checking and troubleshooting, supporting ISO Class 5-7 cleanroom monitoring with 0.3 μm to 10.0 μm particle detection range.
• MET ONE 6000 Remote Air Particle Counter Compact remote air particle counter for continuous cleanroom monitoring with customizable particle sizing (0.3 μm or 0.5 μm) and flow rates (0.1 CFM or 1.0 CFM), designed for pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries.
• MET ONE 6000P Remote Air Particle Counter Remote air particle counter with integrated vacuum pump eliminating the need for external pump infrastructure, providing particle counts at 0.5 μm and 1.0 cfm flow rate.
• MET ONE 7000 Remote Air Particle Counter High-precision remote air particle counter with stainless steel NEMA 4X enclosure for aseptic environments, monitoring 0.5 μm and 5.0 μm particles at configurable flow rates, ISO 21501-certified.
• MET ONE Facility Monitoring System (FMS) Scalable online particle monitoring system integrating MET ONE air particle counters with centralized data management software for EU GMP Annex 1 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
• Cydem VT Automated Clone Screening System Automated cell culture system combining bioreactor module, cell count/viability module, and titer module for high-throughput pool and clone screening in cell line development, supporting 96 clones in parallel.
• Biomek i-Series Automated Workstations Family of tip-based automated liquid handlers including Biomek i3, i5, and i7 models for NGS library prep, drug discovery, and multi-omics workflows with 21 CFR Part 11 compliance support.
• Biomek i3 Benchtop Liquid Handler Entry-level to medium-throughput automated liquid handler with 15 pipettable and 5 flex deck positions, single Fixed-8 pipetting pod, 1-1,000 μL volume range.
• Biomek i5 Automated Liquid Handler Medium- to high-throughput liquid handler with 25 pipettable positions, supporting Span-8 pipetting pod or 96/384 multichannel head, 0.5-5,000 μL volume range.
• Biomek i7 Automated Liquid Handler High-throughput liquid handler with 45 pipettable positions, dual multichannel (96/384) pipetting heads or hybrid configuration with multichannel head and Span-8 pod.
• Echo Acoustic Liquid Handlers Tip-less, contact-free acoustic liquid handlers using sound waves to transfer droplets as small as 2.5 nL for high-throughput applications in drug discovery, genomics, and synthetic biology.
• Echo 650 Plus Series Acoustic Liquid Handler Non-contact acoustic liquid handler with 2.5 nL drop transfer resolution, supporting aqueous and DMSO-based transfers, compatible with 1536-well Echo-qualified plates, and Acoustic Tube Ready option on Echo 650T Plus and Echo 655T Plus models.
• Echo 525 Acoustic Liquid Handler Compact acoustic liquid handler with 25 nL drop transfer resolution for nanoliter-scale dispensing in genomic and drug discovery workflows.
• Vi-CELL BLU Cell Viability Analyzer Automated trypan blue dye exclusion cell counter with 24-position carousel or 96-well plate support for high-throughput viability analysis, with 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity tools.
• Vi-CELL MetaFLEX Bioanalyte Analyzer Rapid bioanalyte analyzer measuring pH, pO2, pCO2, glucose, lactate, and electrolytes from 65 μL samples in 35 seconds for bioprocess monitoring.
• Multisizer 4e Coulter Counter Particle sizer and counter with 0.2-1600 μm sizing range using the Coulter Principle for accurate particle characterization with patented Digital Pulse Processing.
• CytoFLEX Flow Cytometer Research flow cytometry platform including CytoFLEX, CytoFLEX S, CytoFLEX LX, CytoFLEX nano, and CytoFLEX mosaic models for high-dimensional single cell analysis.
• CytoFLEX SRT Benchtop Cell Sorter Compact benchtop cell sorter for high-speed cell separation with walk-away operation capability.
• MoFlo Astrios Cell Sorter High-performance cell sorter for complex multi-parameter sorting applications.
• AQUIOS CL Flow Cytometer Clinical flow cytometer for in vitro diagnostic applications in clinical laboratory settings.
• DxFLEX Flow Cytometer Clinical flow cytometer designed for diagnostic laboratories with ease-of-use and workflow efficiency features.
• CellMek SPS Sample Preparation System Automated sample preparation station for standardized flow cytometry sample processing.
• Kaluza Analysis Software Flow cytometry data analysis software for research applications with intuitive visualization and gating tools.
• Cytobank Cloud Analysis Platform Cloud-based flow cytometry data analysis and management platform for sharing and collaborative review.
• BioLector XT Microbioreactor Microbioreactor system for parallel cultivation of microorganisms with real-time monitoring of biomass, pH, DO, and fluorescence in up to 48 or 96-well plates.
• SPRI Beads and Genomic Reagent Kits Paramagnetic bead-based reagents for nucleic acid cleanup, size selection, DNA/RNA extraction, and cell-free DNA isolation using proprietary SPRI bead technology.
• Valita Titer Assay Kits Rapid fluorescence polarization assay for IgG titer measurement in monoclonal antibody workflows, compatible with standard plate readers.
• ClearLLab Antibody Panels Clinical flow cytometry antibody panels for leukemia and lymphoma immunophenotyping.
• superRCA MRD Assays Minimal residual disease detection assays for sensitive tracking of cancer cell populations in clinical samples.
• Biomek Echo One High-Throughput Genomics Bundled Solution Combined Echo 525 and Biomek i7 Hybrid Workstation platform for automated NGS library preparation and high-throughput DNA assembly workflows.
• Access Dual Robot System Compact modular platform designed for Echo Liquid Handlers in sample management workflows, enabling assay-ready plate production from acoustic sample tubes.
• Access Laboratory Workstation Walk-away system combining Echo Liquid Handler with automated plate handling for genomic, qPCR, PCR, and protein crystallography applications.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Labcyte Inc.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2019Labcyte Inc. was acquired by Beckman Coulter in 2019, bringing the Echo Acoustic Liquid Handler product line into the Beckman Coulter Life Sciences portfolio. The Echo instruments use Acoustic Droplet Ejection technology for nanoliter-scale liquid dispensing.
• ValitaCell Ltd.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerValitaCell is a Beckman Coulter Company. ValitaCell provides the Valita Titer Assay technology used in the Cydem VT system for IgG quantification in clone screening workflows.
• 70+ Third-Party Device SupplierscoreTechnology or IntegrationBeckman Coulter Life Sciences has successfully integrated more than 400 third-party devices from over 70 suppliers into their automated liquid handling systems, enabling comprehensive workflow solutions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Largest life sciences tools company with extensive portfolio in liquid handling (Hamilton integration), flow cytometry, centrifugation, and reagents. Directly comparable instrument lines and serves the same pharma/biotech/clinical diagnostics customers.
• Sartorius: Major bioprocessing equipment manufacturer with overlapping presence in cell line development, microbioreactors, and upstream bioprocessing. Competes in cell culture and bioproduction workflows.
• Agilent Technologies: Major analytical instrument manufacturer with cell analysis, flow cytometry (acquired some technology), and laboratory automation products. Overlapping customer base in pharma and clinical diagnostics.
• PerkinElmer (Revvity): Competitor in life sciences instrumentation including liquid handling, cell analysis, and laboratory automation. Recently rebranded as Revvity and spun off analytical/diagnostics businesses.

Direct peers

• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Direct competitor in life sciences research, clinical diagnostics, and flow cytometry. Offers the ZE5 cell analyzer and S3e cell sorter, competing head-to-head with CytoFLEX and cell sorters.
• Hamilton Company: Direct competitor in automated liquid handling workstations (Microlab STAR, NIMBUS) for genomics and drug discovery. Now part of Thermo Fisher, increasing competitive pressure on Biomek.
• Sony Biotechnology: Direct competitor in flow cytometry with the MA900 and SH800 cell sorters, and the ID7000 spectral analyzer. Targets similar research and cell therapy customers.
• Tecan: Direct competitor in automated liquid handling workstations (Freedom EVO, Fluent) and laboratory automation. Competes for the same genomic and drug discovery workflow customers.
• Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD): Major competitor in flow cytometry (BD Accuri, BD FACSChorus, BD FACSDiscover) and clinical cell analysis. Strong presence in clinical diagnostics with overlapping reagent portfolios.
• Eppendorf: Competitor in liquid handling (epMotion), centrifugation, and cell handling. Strong brand in life sciences research and overlapping customer base in pharma and academic labs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BCILifeSciences

Compliance18 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Beckman Coulter Life Sciences