Scale Biosciences
Scale Biosciences is a San Diego-based private biotechnology company that develops Quantum Barcoding-powered single cell library preparation kits — including RNA, methylation, and CRISPR screening products — for academic research institutions and pharmaceutical/biotech customers, generating revenue through direct reagent kit sales and a global distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Scale Biosciences does
Scale Biosciences is a privately held biotechnology company headquartered in San Diego, California, founded in 2020-2021 by a group of four scientific co-founders — Garry Nolan, Frank Steemers, Jay Shendure, and Cole Trapnell — and led by CEO Giovanna Prout. The company develops single cell library preparation kits and supporting analytical software for genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic profiling, with a core focus on enabling large-cohort, statistically powered single cell studies that have been cost-prohibitive under incumbent droplet-based technologies.
Scale Bio's product portfolio is anchored by its proprietary Quantum Barcoding platform, which consolidates multiple levels of combinatorial barcoding into a single streamlined workflow and reportedly supports over 675 million unique barcode combinations. The commercial offering spans three configurations of the QuantumScale Single Cell RNA kit (Medium at 168K cells, Large at 2M cells, Extra Large at 4M cells), the ScalePlex sample multiplexing system (capable of pooling over 9,000 samples per run), the Single Cell Methylation Kit v1.1 (positioned as the first commercial single cell DNA methylation solution), the CRISPR Guide Enrichment Kit for pooled CRISPR screening at single cell resolution, and the SeqSuite bioinformatics analysis pipeline (with Seurat-compatible outputs). The platform operates without a dedicated instrument, processing fixed samples into sequencer-ready libraries in approximately 1.5 days, and is validated on Illumina NovaSeq X, NextSeq, and Ultima Genomics UG 100 sequencers.
The company generates revenue through one-time sales of reagent kits (RNA, methylation, CRISPR, ScalePlex fixation), with pricing set on a quote basis (no public list price) and unit economics reported at less than one cent per cell and under $100 per sample at scale. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales (web-driven quote requests) with a regional distributor channel covering EMEA and APAC through partnerships with entities such as 3 Genes, Lifegene, CARLO ERBA Reagents, Altium, Proquinorte, Gulf Scientific Corporation, Integrated Sciences, BioStream, LNC Bio, and Genomax Technologies. Primary end customers are academic research institutions and pharmaceutical/biotech drug discovery groups, with named users including Yale University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, UCLA, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and the University of Miami. The company is also a participant in the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's Billion Cells Project and a collaborator with NVIDIA and Ultima Genomics on the 100 Million Cells Initiative. On August 7, 2025, 10x Genomics announced an agreement to acquire Scale Biosciences to integrate the Quantum Barcoding technology into its Chromium platform.
Scale Biosciences firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Scale Biosciences
- Legal name
- Scale Biosciences, Inc.
- Website
- https://scale.bio
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Scale Biosciences is a San Diego-based private biotechnology company that develops Quantum Barcoding-powered single cell library preparation kits — including RNA, methylation, and CRISPR screening products — for academic research institutions and pharmaceutical/biotech customers, generating revenue through direct reagent kit sales and a global distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Scale Biosciences industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Life Science Research Tools
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Epigenomics & Chromatin Profiling Services (HLAGANAF), Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE), CRISPR & Functional Genomics Screening Platforms (pooled/arrayed screens, perturb-seq) (HLAAAIAG), Genomic & Multi-Omic Biomarkers (NGS panels, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) (HLAAAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Scale Biosciences is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Scale Biosciences 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
Revenue model
- Single Cell RNA Sequencing Kits: Sale of QuantumScale Single Cell RNA kits in multiple sizes (Medium, Large, Extra Large) enabling 168K to 4M cells per run. One-time purchase of reagent kits with no instrument required.
- Single Cell Methylation Kits: Sale of Single Cell Methylation Kit v1.1 for detecting single cell DNA methylation states. Optional target enrichment add-on for focused sequencing.
- ScalePlex Fixation Kits: Specialized fixation kits with integrated oligo barcodes for streamlined sample multiplexing. Available in Small and Large configurations.
- CRISPR Guide Enrichment Kits: Kits for high-throughput CRISPR screening at single cell resolution, with optional Extended Throughput versions.
- Services: Service lab offerings for customers who want to outsource single cell project execution. Comprehensive services for projects large and small.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | QuantumScale Small Kit - 168K cells |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | QuantumScale Medium Kit - 2M cells |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | QuantumScale Extra Large Kit - 4M cells |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Scale Biosciences product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Scale Biosciences develops and sells reagent kits and laboratory services for single cell genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic profiling, powered by its proprietary Quantum Barcoding technology. The portfolio includes the QuantumScale Single Cell RNA kit family (processing 168K to 4M cells per run), the Single Cell Methylation Kit for DNA methylation analysis, the ScalePlex sample multiplexing reagents, and the CRISPR Guide Enrichment Kit for pooled CRISPR screening at single cell resolution.
Product overview
Scale Biosciences offers a portfolio of single cell analysis products centered around its proprietary Quantum Barcoding technology. The core offerings include the QuantumScale Single Cell RNA platform (available in Medium, Large, and Extra Large kit sizes), the Single Cell Methylation Kit for epigenetics research, and the CRISPR Guide Enrichment Kit. The platform is complemented by ScalePlex sample multiplexing technology, the SeqSuite bioinformatics analysis pipeline, and laboratory services. Products range from small-scale studies (168K cells) to massive projects (4 million cells), targeting researchers across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cell atlasing, drug development, and developmental biology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- QuantumScale: QuantumScale Single Cell RNA is powering the next generation of single cell with one flexible platform to meet any scale and research vision, processing from 168,000 to 4 million cells.
- Single Cell Methylation Kit
- ScalePlex
- CRISPR Guide Enrichment Kit
- SeqSuite
Products and services
- QuantumScale Single Cell RNA
- Single Cell Methylation Kit
- ScalePlex Multiplexing Kit
- CRISPR Guide Enrichment Kit
- SeqSuite Bioinformatics Pipeline
- Single Cell Product Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 75% reduction in hands-on time compared to other single cell workflows
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Scale Biosciences
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Scale Biosciences technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature6 records
Scale Biosciences partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and regional.
- 10x Genomicsflagship10x Genomics announced acquisition of Scale Biosciences in August 2025 to expand its single cell analysis capabilities. The acquisition aims to integrate Scale's innovations into 10x's Chromium platform to improve accessibility and scientific breakthroughs. Note: Despite acquisition announcement, Scale Bio continues to operate and ship products independently.
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI)flagshipScale Bio joined CZI's Billion Cells Project alongside technology partners 10x Genomics and Ultima Genomics. This landmark effort aims to generate an unprecedented one billion cell dataset to fuel rapid progress in cell biology through AI model development.
- Ultima GenomicscoreUltima Genomics is a collaborator on the 100M Cell Challenge initiative. Their UG 100 sequencer is listed as compatible with QuantumScale Single Cell RNA kits, enabling customers to run Scale Bio libraries on Ultima's platform.
- NvidiacoreNvidia is a collaborator on the 100M Cell Challenge initiative, supporting single cell research at unprecedented scale. The partnership contributes to advancing AI model development in cell biology.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub NYcoreCZ Biohub NY is part of CZI's biohub network. Researcher John Tsang is affiliated with CZ Biohub NY and uses Scale Bio technology for large-scale single cell studies.
- SPT LabtechcoreSPT Labtech partnered with Scale Bio to automate the Single Cell Methylation workflow using the firefly liquid handling system. This collaboration reduces processing time by 35% while maintaining high-quality results, expanding access to advanced single cell and spatial solutions.
- 3 Genes (BioSeq a.s.)regionalRegional distributor for Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Located at Verdunská 819/37, Bubeneč, Prague 6. Contact via [email protected] or +420 605 862 297.
- LifegeneregionalRegional distributor for Israel. Located in Mevo Horon, Israel. Contact via [email protected] or +972-(0)8-6444314.
- CARLO ERBA Reagents S.r.lregionalRegional distributor for Italy. Located at via Merendi 22, 20007 Cornaredo (Milano). Contact via [email protected] or +39 0293991003.
- Altium International Ltd.regionalRegional distributor for Poland. Located at Puławska 303, 02-785 Warsaw. Contact via [email protected] or +48 22 549 14 00.
- Proquinorte S.A.regionalRegional distributor for Portugal and Spain. Located at Parque Tecnologico 208, 48170 Zamudio. Contact via [email protected] or +34 900 900 942.
- Gulf Scientific CorporationregionalRegional distributor for UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. UAE office at Dubai Investment Park 2, Dubai. Additional offices in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Contact via [email protected] or +971 4 881 5270.
- Integrated SciencesregionalRegional distributor for Australia and New Zealand. Located at 54 Gibbes Street, Chatswood, NSW 2064, Australia. Contact via [email protected] or +61 2 9417 7866.
- BioStream Co., LTD.regionalRegional distributor for Japan. Located at Showa Astec Bldg No.1, 2-7-3 Higashi Shinbashi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105-0021. Contact via [email protected] or +81-3-6869-4402.
- LNC BioregionalRegional distributor for South Korea. Located at 12F, 275, Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 06729. Contact via [email protected] or +82 2-3472-0370.
- Genomax TechnologiesregionalRegional distributor for Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Singapore office at 237 Pandan Loop, #06-03 Westech Building 128424. Malaysia office at Puchong, Selangor. Thailand office at Mercury Tower, 8th Floor, Room 802, Bangkok. Contact via [email protected] or +65 6777 1886.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Scale Biosciences competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Parse Biosciences: Parse Biosciences offers single-cell sequencing kits based on combinatorial indexing barcoding chemistry that enables large-scale profiling without proprietary instruments — directly comparable to Scale Bio's Quantum Barcoding approach. Parse has actively litigated against Scale Bio over barcoding IP.
- 10x Genomics: 10x Genomics is the dominant commercial single-cell analysis company offering the Chromium platform for single-cell RNA, ATAC, and multi-omic workflows. It is the most direct competitor to Scale Bio's QuantumScale kits and is also the announced acquirer of Scale Biosciences.
- BD Biosciences (BD Rhapsody): BD Biosciences markets the Rhapsody single-cell analysis platform for transcriptomic and multi-omic applications, competing head-to-head with both 10x Genomics and Scale Bio in academic and pharma single-cell workflows.
Broad incumbents
- Element Biosciences: Element Biosciences offers the AVITI sequencing platform as a lower-cost alternative to Illumina. As an alternative sequencer platform, Element is an indirect competitor to Scale Bio in shaping customers' choice of single-cell library preparation and sequencing stack.
- Illumina: Illumina is the dominant sequencing platform provider whose NovaSeq and NextSeq instruments are the primary downstream readout for Scale Bio's kits. Illumina also offers its own single-cell and multi-omic library prep products, making it both a critical partner and a broad incumbent competitor.
- Bio-Rad Laboratories (ddSEQ): Bio-Rad offers ddSEQ single-cell RNA sequencing solutions through partnership with Illumina, competing in academic and translational research single-cell workflows alongside Scale Bio and other droplet-based platforms.
Emerging players
- Vizgen: Vizgen offers MERSCOPE spatial transcriptomics. Scale Bio and Vizgen have a documented integration partnership for combining Scale Bio's single-cell RNA with Vizgen's spatial analysis, positioning Vizgen as a complementary adjacent peer in the broader single-cell/spatial genomics market.
- AtlasXomics: AtlasXomics provides single-cell ATAC-seq and multi-omic epigenomic profiling services, directly competing with Scale Bio's Single Cell Methylation Kit in the epigenomics research market.
- Ultima Genomics: Ultima Genomics is a sequencing platform provider whose UG 100 instrument is compatible with Scale Bio's QuantumScale kits. The companies are co-collaborators in CZI's Billion Cells Project and the 100M Cell Challenge initiative.
- Fluent Biosciences: Fluent Biosciences offers PIP-seq, a single-cell RNA sequencing technology using combinatorial barcoding that competes with Scale Bio's QuantumScale in the no-instrument, low-cost segment of the market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Scale Biosciences social profiles
Digital presenceScale Biosciences financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Scale Biosciences leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Scale Biosciences funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Scale Biosciences 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 Scale Biosciences
What does Scale Biosciences do?
Scale Biosciences develops and sells reagent kits and laboratory services for single cell genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic profiling, powered by its proprietary Quantum Barcoding technology. The portfolio includes the QuantumScale Single Cell RNA kit family (processing 168K to 4M cells per run), the Single Cell Methylation Kit for DNA methylation analysis, the ScalePlex sample multiplexing reagents, and the CRISPR Guide Enrichment Kit for pooled CRISPR screening at single cell resolution.
Is Scale Biosciences a public or private company?
Scale Biosciences is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Scale Biosciences founded?
Scale Biosciences was founded in 2020. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Scale Biosciences based?
Scale Biosciences is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Scale Biosciences make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Single Cell RNA Sequencing Kits are the primary driver. The others are single Cell Methylation Kits, scalePlex Fixation Kits, CRISPR Guide Enrichment Kits and services.
Who are Scale Biosciences's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Parse Biosciences, 10x Genomics and BD Biosciences (BD Rhapsody). Broad incumbents are Element Biosciences, Illumina and Bio-Rad Laboratories (ddSEQ). Emerging players are Vizgen, AtlasXomics, Ultima Genomics and Fluent Biosciences.
Does Scale Biosciences have an API?
No public API is recorded for Scale Biosciences.
What industry is Scale Biosciences in?
Scale Biosciences's product category is Life Science Research Tools. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAF, Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays), with a secondary code of HLAGANAF, Epigenomics & Chromatin Profiling Services. Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.