NanoString Technologies
NanoString Technologies, now part of Bruker Spatial Biology, is a life-sciences tools company that builds spatial biology instruments (nCounter, GeoMx DSP, CosMx SMI) and consumables for gene-expression profiling, spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics analysis at single-cell resolution, serving academic researchers, biopharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What NanoString Technologies does
NanoString Technologies, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Bothell, Washington, was a publicly traded (NASDAQ: NSTG) life-sciences tools company that built a spatial biology platform for gene-expression profiling, spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics analysis at single-cell and subcellular resolution. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2024 and was acquired by Bruker Corporation in May 2024 for approximately $392.6 million in cash, after which its products and operations were integrated into the newly formed Bruker Spatial Biology Division in October 2024.
The product portfolio comprises three core instrument tiers: the nCounter Analysis System for amplification-free bulk RNA and protein profiling (up to 800 RNA targets and roughly 500 proteins), the GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler for high-plex spatial profiling across tissue regions (whole-transcriptome RNA plus approximately 1,200 proteins), and the CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager for single-cell and subcellular imaging (whole-transcriptome RNA plus 64-plex protein). These are complemented by the CellScape spatial proteomics platform, the PaintScape 3D genome visualization system, the cloud-based AtoMx Spatial Informatics Platform, and a broad assay panel catalog including the CosMx 6,000-plex RNA Assay and the nCounter PanCancer IO 360 panel.
Revenue derives from a razor-and-blade model combining capital instrument sales with high-margin recurring consumables (assay panels, reagents, flow cells), supplemented by software subscriptions and service contracts. Customers span academic and government research institutions, biopharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations, with the technology cited in over 7,000 peer-reviewed publications. Distribution is primarily direct enterprise field sales supported by Customer Experience Labs in Seattle and Amsterdam, a global distributor network, and strategic integrations with Leica Biosystems, Illumina, AWS, and ROSALIND.
NanoString Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NanoString Technologies
- Legal name
- NanoString Technologies, Inc.
- Website
- https://nanostring.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- NanoString Technologies, now part of Bruker Spatial Biology, is a life-sciences tools company that builds spatial biology instruments (nCounter, GeoMx DSP, CosMx SMI) and consumables for gene-expression profiling, spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics analysis at single-cell resolution, serving academic researchers, biopharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NanoString Technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Life Sciences Research Instruments — Spatial Biology Platforms
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Single-Cell & Spatial Omics Discovery Platforms (target ID/validation, functional profiling) (HLAAAIAF), Multiplex & High-Throughput Diagnostics Platforms (microarrays, digital PCR, lab automation-enabled assays) (HLAAALAL), Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)
Keywords
Where NanoString Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
NanoString Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Instrument Systems: Sale of spatial biology instrumentation including nCounter Analysis Systems, GeoMx Digital Spatial Profilers, and CosMx Spatial Molecular Imagers. Instruments represent high-value capital equipment sold to research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies.
- Consumables and Reagents: Recurring revenue from proprietary consumables including assay panels, reagents, and flow cells required for instrument operation. Panels include RNA assays, protein assays, and custom solutions.
- Software and Data Analysis: Cloud-based software platforms including AtoMx Spatial Informatics Platform for data analysis, nSolver analysis software, and ROSALIND cloud-based analysis tools.
- Services and Support: Customer experience lab services, training programs through NanoU/Bruker Spatial Biology University, technical support, and grant support packages.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
NanoString Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NanoString Technologies sells spatial biology instrumentation, proprietary consumables, and analysis software used by academic, government, and biopharmaceutical research organizations. Its platforms (nCounter, GeoMx DSP, CosMx SMI, CellScape, PaintScape) enable amplification-free gene expression profiling, whole-transcriptome spatial profiling, and single-cell spatial imaging of RNA and protein in tissue, supported by cloud-based informatics tools and a large catalog of pre-designed assay panels.
Product overview
NanoString Technologies, now part of Bruker Corporation's Spatial Biology Division following the May 2024 acquisition, offers a comprehensive spatial biology portfolio comprising three core instrument platforms: the nCounter Analysis System for amplification-free bulk RNA/protein profiling (up to 800 RNA targets and ~500 proteins), the GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler for high-plex spatial profiling of RNA and protein across tissue regions (whole transcriptome + ~1,200 proteins), and the CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager for single-cell and subcellular spatial imaging (whole transcriptome + 64+ proteins). These platforms are complemented by CellScape XR for spatial proteomics, PaintScape for 3D genome visualization, and software solutions including the AtoMx Spatial Informatics Platform for cloud-based data analysis. The products support various assay panels including the CosMx Whole Transcriptome Panel, CosMx 6,000 plex RNA Assay, and GeoMx Cancer Transcriptome Atlas. Assay readout options include nCounter and Illumina NGS platforms, with integrated workflows for Leica BOND RX automation. The portfolio serves research applications in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, drug development, and biomarker discovery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- nCounter Analysis System: Amplification-free RNA and protein profiling system with high reproducibility. Measures up to 800 RNA targets and approximately 500 proteins with minimal hands-on time.
- GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler
- CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager
- AtoMx Spatial Informatics Platform
- CellScape Platforms
- PaintScape System
Products and services
- nCounter Analysis System Amplification-free RNA and protein profiling platform with high reproducibility. Measures up to 800 RNA targets and approximately 500 proteins with minimal hands-on time, supporting bulk multiomics analysis for rapid biomarker discovery and development.
- nCounter Pro Analysis System High-capacity digital analyzer for processing nCounter CodeSets with automated cartridge-based workflow for higher-throughput gene expression and protein studies.
- nCounter SPRINT Profiler Compact, automated nCounter system designed for mid-throughput gene expression and protein analysis with simplified workflow and reduced hands-on time.
- GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) High-plex spatial profiling platform for RNA and protein across tissue regions. Provides whole transcriptome RNA (18,000+ genes) and up to approximately 1,200 proteins with an automated, histology-compatible workflow for discovery multiomics from cells to tissue structures at scale.
- CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager (SMI) Single-cell and subcellular spatial imaging platform measuring whole transcriptome RNA (19,000+ genes) and 64+ proteins from the same cell at single-cell and subcellular resolution with high sensitivity for complete pathway-level spatial insights.
- AtoMx Spatial Informatics Platform (SIP) Cloud-based data analysis and visualization platform for CosMx SMI data enabling researchers to explore datasets with no coding required, including data QC, cell typing, differential expression, and 3D segmentation analysis.
- CellScape XR Precise Spatial Proteomics Next-generation spatial proteomics platform uniting breakthroughs in instrumentation, software, and assays to deliver high-quality data with higher throughput and improved flexibility for rapid and quantitative spatial phenotyping.
- PaintScape Spatial 3D Genome+ System High precision, multiplexed direct visualization platform for 3D genome analysis, providing spatial genomics capability acquired from NanoString by Bruker in May 2024.
- CosMx Whole Transcriptome Panel Universal human whole transcriptome assay enabling profiling of over 19,000 genes in single cells with spatial context, compatible with FFPE and fresh frozen tissue samples.
- CosMx 6,000 plex RNA Assay First commercial single-cell spatial assay panel capable of measuring over 6,000 RNA targets at single-cell resolution, launched February 2024 as a major advance in spatial transcriptomics plexity.
- GeoMx Cancer Transcriptome Atlas Pre-designed spatial profiling panel for comprehensive tumor microenvironment characterization, including 18,000+ plex whole transcriptome atlas for spatial analysis of cancer samples.
- nCounter PanCancer IO 360 Gene Expression Panel Comprehensive immuno-oncology gene expression panel for characterizing tumor microenvironment and immune response pathways in cancer research.
- VistaPlex Multiplexing Assay Kits Pre-designed multiplex immunofluorescence assay kits (Tissue Architecture, Spatial Immune Profiling, and Cell Boundaries kits) for the CellScape XR platform enabling multiplexed imaging of FFPE tissues.
- nCounter Multiomics Technology Access Program (TAP) Technology access program enabling researchers to leverage nCounter platform capabilities for multiomics research applications.
- CosMx SMI Technology Access Program Grant-supported technology access program for the CosMx SMI platform designed to expand accessibility for spatial biology research.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7,000+ peer-reviewed publications validate platform performance across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and other research areas
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use NanoString Technologies
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
NanoString Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature7 records
NanoString Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Leica BiosystemscoreLeica BOND RX automated slide preparation system is integrated with GeoMx DSP workflows for fully automated sample processing. This integration enables standardized, high-throughput spatial profiling workflows in research settings.
- Human Cell Atlas ProjectflagshipCNAG researchers used CosMx SMI to create spatial molecular maps of healthy human organs as part of the international Human Cell Atlas initiative, generating single-cell reference maps directly in organs.
- CROs and Core Labs NetworkcoreContract research organizations and core labs provide spatial biology services using NanoString/Bruker platforms, extending market reach and enabling service-based access to technology.
- Global DistributorsminorInternational distributor network extends product availability to regions without direct sales presence.
- Leica BiosystemscorePartnership for automated slide preparation workflows with GeoMx DSP integration with Leica BOND RX instruments.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
NanoString Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- 10x Genomics: Direct competitor across spatial transcriptomics and single-cell imaging via its Xenium and Visium platforms, serving the same academic and biopharma translational research buyers with overlapping gene-expression and multiomics workflows.
- Vizgen: Direct competitor in single-cell spatial transcriptomics using MERFISH chemistry, offering high-plex imaging platforms targeted at the same tissue-based research applications as CosMx SMI.
- Akoya Biosciences: Direct competitor in spatial proteomics and multiplex tissue imaging through the PhenoCycler (CODEX) and PhenoImager HT platforms, overlapping with NanoString's GeoMx DSP and CellScape offerings in tumor microenvironment research.
- Standard BioTools (formerly Fluidigm): Direct peer in highly multiplexed single-cell and tissue imaging via Hyperion imaging mass cytometry, serving translational research customers with overlapping spatial biology and multiomics applications.
Broad incumbents
- Bio-Techne: Broader life sciences tools incumbent with RNAscope in situ hybridization assays and a large protein/reagent catalog that compete and complement NanoString's spatial and bulk gene-expression workflows.
- Illumina: Sequencing-platform incumbent that both powers GeoMx NGS readouts and competes in adjacent spatial and multiomics workflows, making it both a partner and adjacent competitor to NanoString's installed base.
- Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer Life Sciences): Broad life sciences and diagnostics incumbent offering reagents, imaging, and multiomics solutions that overlap with NanoString's translational research and biomarker discovery workflows.
- Danaher: Life sciences conglomerate whose operating companies (Leica Biosystems, Beckman Coulter, Cytiva) compete in tissue pathology, clinical diagnostics, and bioprocessing — markets adjacent to NanoString's translational and clinical-trial research users.
Emerging players
- Leica Biosystems (Danaher): Integration partner for GeoMx DSP through the BOND RX automated slide stainer; as Danaher's pathology franchise expands, Leica's workflows increasingly compete with or substitute for NanoString's spatial tissue preparation pipelines.
Others
- Bruker Corporation: Acquirer of NanoString and now parent of the Bruker Spatial Biology Division; comparable as a life sciences instrumentation incumbent whose broader portfolio (mass spectrometry, NMR, microscopy) sets the strategic and capital allocation context for the NanoString franchise.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NanoString Technologies social profiles
Digital presenceNanoString Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NanoString Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
NanoString Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds17 records
Investors13 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NanoString Technologies 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 NanoString Technologies
What does NanoString Technologies do?
NanoString Technologies sells spatial biology instrumentation, proprietary consumables, and analysis software used by academic, government, and biopharmaceutical research organizations. Its platforms (nCounter, GeoMx DSP, CosMx SMI, CellScape, PaintScape) enable amplification-free gene expression profiling, whole-transcriptome spatial profiling, and single-cell spatial imaging of RNA and protein in tissue, supported by cloud-based informatics tools and a large catalog of pre-designed assay panels.
Is NanoString Technologies a public or private company?
NanoString Technologies is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was NanoString Technologies founded?
NanoString Technologies was founded in 2003. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is NanoString Technologies based?
NanoString Technologies is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does NanoString Technologies make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Instrument Systems are the primary driver. The others are consumables and Reagents, software and Data Analysis and services and Support.
Who are NanoString Technologies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are 10x Genomics, Vizgen, Akoya Biosciences and Standard BioTools (formerly Fluidigm). Broad incumbents are Bio-Techne, Illumina, Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer Life Sciences) and Danaher. Leica Biosystems (Danaher) is listed as an emerging player. Bruker Corporation is listed as an others.
Does NanoString Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for NanoString Technologies.
What industry is NanoString Technologies in?
NanoString Technologies's product category is Life Sciences Research Instruments — Spatial Biology Platforms. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAF, Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays), with a secondary code of HLAAAIAF, Single-Cell & Spatial Omics Discovery Platforms (target ID/validation, functional profiling). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 3826.