What Cytodiagnostics does

Cytodiagnostics Inc. is a Canadian biotechnology company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, that develops, manufactures, and sells nanoparticles and nanoparticle-based diagnostic products to the life science research market. Its core product line includes citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles in spherical, NanoUrchin (spiky), and nanorod morphologies across sizes from 5nm to 400nm, as well as silver nanoparticles (10-100nm), superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, and CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots. The company differentiates through proprietary manufacturing protocols (a modified citrate reduction process), narrow size distributions (CV under 15% for silver particles), tiered purification grades (standard, 99% reactant-free, and LAL-validated endotoxin-free under 0.5EU/mL), and an extensive surface chemistry catalog (NHS, maleimide, carboxyl, amine, biotin, click chemistry, and proprietary OligoREADY and AptamerREADY coatings).

The company monetizes primarily through direct e-commerce unit sales of catalog products priced from $60 to $525, with a separate US-facing storefront and international distributor relationships handling global shipments. Revenue also comes from custom conjugation services, custom assay development (lateral flow, vertical flow, ELISA), and bulk manufacturing. Customer segments span academic and institutional research laboratories, diagnostic and biotech companies developing point-of-care tests, and cell biology/toxicology researchers needing contaminant-free particles. The company holds ISO 9001 certification, distributes MedMira's Miriad Rapid Vertical Flow product line under a channel partnership, and operates an affiliated sister company (CytoGroup Inc.) that handles comprehensive assay development services.

In January 2024, Cytodiagnostics received a Government of Canada grant (alongside one other small business) to develop a portable test for detecting domoic acid in marine water, signaling expansion into the environmental monitoring vertical. The company operates with a 1-10 employee footprint and no disclosed revenue, suggesting a small specialty supplier business model reliant on catalog volume and custom service orders rather than large enterprise contracts.

Name

Cytodiagnostics

Legal name

Cytodiagnostics Inc.

Website

https://cytodiagnostics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cytodiagnostics Inc. is a Canadian biotechnology company that manufactures and sells gold, silver, iron oxide, and quantum dot nanoparticles along with conjugation kits, lateral flow assays, and ELISA products to life science researchers, diagnostic developers, and cell biology laboratories worldwide through direct e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nanoparticle Reagents and Diagnostic Assay Kits

NAICS

Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047)

akta.pro primary industry

Immunoassay Diagnostics (ELISA, chemiluminescence, serology) (HLAAALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE), Flow Cytometry & Cellular Analysis Diagnostics (HLAHAAAF)

Keywords

• Gold nanoparticles
• Silver nanoparticles
• Lateral flow assays
• Nanoparticle conjugation kits
• ELISA kits

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Nanoparticle Product Sales: Direct sales of gold, silver, and iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, and nanorods in various sizes and functionalization formats. Products sold as standard units with pricing from $60-$165+ per product depending on size and type.
2. Conjugation Kit Sales: Sales of activated gold/silver nanoparticle conjugation kits, passive adsorption kits, and optimization kits for protein, oligonucleotide, and aptamer conjugation.
3. Assay Development Services: Custom services including lateral flow assay development, vertical flow assay development, ELISA development, and bulk manufacturing for customer-specific applications.
4. Custom Conjugation Services: Custom conjugation of proteins, antibodies, and oligonucleotides to nanoparticles, including bulk manufacturing capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Cytodiagnostics manufactures and sells a portfolio of nanoparticle products — including gold nanoparticles, gold NanoUrchins, gold nanorods, silver nanoparticles, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots — in various purity grades and surface functionalizations. The company complements its nanoparticle catalog with conjugation kits, pre-conjugated antibody/streptavidin/protein A/G/L reagents, lateral flow assay kits and cassettes, ELISA/ELASA kits, antibody products, and distributes MedMira Miriad rapid vertical flow products. Custom services include nanoparticle conjugation, lateral flow assay development, ELISA development, and bulk manufacturing for diagnostic and biotech customers.

Product overview

Cytodiagnostics is a biotechnology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of nanoparticle-based products and diagnostic assay solutions. The core offering consists of gold nanoparticles (spherical, NanoUrchins, and nanorods) and silver nanoparticles in various functionalized forms (standard, reactant-free, endotoxin-free, stabilized), along with iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots. These nanomaterials are sold as standalone products and as conjugation kits for attaching proteins, antibodies, oligonucleotides, and aptamers. The company complements its nanoparticle portfolio with lateral flow assay products (including DIY kits, cassettes, and development services), rapid vertical flow (Miriad) products, ELISA/ELASA kits and development services, and antibody products. Services include custom conjugation, assay development, and bulk manufacturing. The company operates under the CytoGroup Inc. parent and distributes MedMira Miriad products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MedMira Miriad: Research Use Only product line targeting blood banks, tissue and eye banks, and organ donors. Available in all combinations (tailor made).
• OligoREADY
• AptamerREADY

Products and services

• Standard Gold Nanoparticles Citrate-stabilized spherical gold nanoparticles in diameters from 5nm to 400nm, optimized for high protein binding efficiency for applications including conjugate development, lateral flow, dark field microscopy, LSPR-based assays, and SERS.
• Reactant Free Gold Nanoparticles Extensively purified gold nanoparticles 99% free of residual reactants from manufacturing, retaining high protein binding efficiency, suitable for cell work and nanotoxicology studies.
• Endotoxin Free Gold Nanoparticles Extensively purified gold nanoparticles with endotoxin levels validated by LAL test not exceeding 0.5EU/mL, ideal for cellular toxicity studies, immunological studies, and aseptic assays.
• Surfactant Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles Gold nanoparticles in citrate buffer with proprietary stabilizing solution providing prolonged stability, higher salt tolerance, and temperature stability; optimized for adsorption of thiolated ligands such as oligonucleotides and polyethylene glycols.
• Gold NanoUrchins Spiky gold nanoparticles with unique optical properties causing red shift in surface plasmon peak and larger enhancement of electromagnetic field at spike tips compared to spherical particles; available in 50nm-100nm sizes with SPR peak around 680nm for 100nm particles.
• Endotoxin Free Gold NanoUrchins Extensively purified endotoxin-free gold nanourchins ideal for sensitive applications requiring minimal contaminants such as cellular toxicity studies, immunological studies, and aseptic assays.
• Gold Nanorods Functionalized gold nanorods available with methyl (methoxy), carboxyl, or amine terminated groups in three aspect ratios with longitudinal major surface plasmon absorption peaks of 650nm, 700nm, and 770nm.
• Amine Gold Nanorods Amine functionalized gold nanorods with precisely engineered surface chemistry allowing simple binding to moieties that react with primary amines; available with 3 aspect ratios and 2 different spacer lengths (3 kDa and 5 kDa).
• Standard Silver Nanoparticles Spherical silver nanoparticles with core sizes of 10nm-100nm, narrow size distribution (CV <15%), and high purity; ideal for photovoltaics, biological sensor development, and nanotoxicology studies.
• Reactant Free Silver Nanoparticles High purity (99%) silver nanoparticles ideal for toxicity studies by isolating effects of nanoparticles while minimizing contaminating reactants from manufacturing.
• Endotoxin Free Silver Nanoparticles Extensively purified endotoxin-free silver nanoparticles ideal for sensitive applications requiring minimal contaminants such as cellular toxicity studies, immunological studies, and aseptic assays.
• Magnetic/Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4, magnetite) nanoparticles in both water-soluble and non-polar solvent-soluble formats; applications include medical diagnostics, catalysis, solid phase extraction, and Li-ion battery anode materials.
• Quantum Dots Cadmium Selenide/Zinc Sulfide (CdSe/ZnS) core/shell quantum dots functionalized with organic-soluble or water-soluble coatings; available with emissions from 520nm-650nm for nanoelectronics and opto-electronics applications.
• Activated Gold Nanoparticle Conjugation Kits Functionalized and PEGylated gold nanoparticles with various surface modifications including NHS-ester, maleimide, Ni-NTA, azide, carboxyl, amine, methyl, biotin, click chemistry, OligoREADY, and AptamerREADY coatings.
• Gold Conjugation Kits - Passive Adsorption Traditional method of conjugating gold to proteins via van der Waals and ionic forces; includes optimization kits for various particle sizes (5nm-100nm) and QC dipstick kits for conjugation validation.
• Gold Nanoparticle Protein Conjugates Pre-conjugated gold nanoparticle secondary antibodies, streptavidin, and Protein A/G/L conjugates for Western blots, dot-blots, electron microscopy, light microscopy, in situ hybridizations, and lateral/vertical flow rapid tests.
• Activated Gold NanoUrchin Conjugation Kits Functionalized gold NanoUrchins with surface modifications including NHS-ester, maleimide, carboxyl, methyl, biotin, OligoREADY, and AptamerREADY coatings; suitable for conjugation of thiol-modified oligonucleotides and aptamers.
• Gold NanoUrchin Protein Conjugates Gold nanourchin protein conjugates with peak absorbance in 570nm-680nm range; used as secondary detection agents in immunoblotting, lateral/vertical flow devices, ELISA, light microscopy, and electron microscopy.
• Silver Nanoparticle Protein Conjugates Silver nanoparticle protein conjugates with peak absorbance in 400-500nm range; used for secondary detection in immunoblotting, lateral/vertical flow devices, ELISA, light microscopy, and electron microscopy.
• Activated Silver Nanoparticle Conjugation Kits Kits for both passive adsorption and covalent NHS-activated conjugation of proteins to silver nanoparticles; NHS-activated allows for covalent conjugation with increased functionality and stability.
• Lateral Flow Assay Products DIY lateral flow assay kits, universal lateral flow assay kits for antigen/antibody detection, lateral flow cassettes (1, 2, or 3 strip formats), extraction tubes, oral swabs, and lateral flow assay development services.
• Rapid Vertical Flow Assay Products Miriad RVF cartridges and toolkits for rapid vertical flow detection; includes antibody and antigen detection kits and vertical flow assay development services.
• ELISA / ELASA Products ELISA kits for biomarkers/immune response and immunoglobulin detection, DIY ELISA kits, pre-coated plates (anti-His Tag, Streptavidin, PolyAvidin), and ELISA development services.
• Antibody Products Primary and secondary antibodies available unconjugated or gold/silver nanoparticle labelled; includes Western blot and immunoblotting products such as Gold Protein Detection Kits and Silver Enhancement Kits.
• MedMira Miriad MedMira's Research Use Only rapid vertical flow product line available in all combinations (tailor made) specifically targeting blood banks, tissue and eye banks, and organ donors.
• Custom Conjugation and Assay Development Services Custom conjugation of nanoparticles (proteins, oligonucleotides, aptamers), lateral flow assay development, rapid vertical flow assay development, ELISA development, bulk manufacturing, and protein expression services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Endotoxin levels validated to not exceed 0.5EU/mL
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MedMira Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCytodiagnostics distributes MedMira's Miriad RVF (Rapid Vertical Flow) product line, which includes research use only diagnostic products targeting blood banks, tissue and eye banks, and organ donors. Miriad products are available in all combinations and are tailor-made for specific screening applications.
• CytoGroup Inc.coreOthersCytoGroup Inc. is a related company that provides assay development services including lateral flow, vertical flow, ELISA, and ELASA development. Cytodiagnostics refers customers to CytoGroup for comprehensive assay development needs.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nanocs, Inc. Nanocs sells gold, silver, magnetic, and silica nanoparticles plus lateral flow and ELISA kits. Their product catalog is structurally identical to Cytodiagnostics, targeting the same research-use nanoparticle market with very similar SKUs and pricing.
• Nanocomposix (Fortis Life Sciences): Nanocomposix, now part of Fortis Life Sciences, is the closest direct competitor specializing in custom gold and silver nanoparticle synthesis for diagnostics and research, with overlapping lateral flow and conjugation offerings.
• Ocean NanoTech: Ocean NanoTech manufactures magnetic iron oxide and gold nanoparticles for diagnostics, life-science research, and biomedical applications — directly comparable to Cytodiagnostics' magnetic and gold nanoparticle SKUs.
• BBI Solutions: BBI Solutions is a major manufacturer of gold nanoparticles specifically targeted at lateral flow and rapid diagnostic manufacturers, with comparable custom conjugate services and a clear overlap in the diagnostic-reagent supply chain.
• Ted Pella, Inc. Ted Pella supplies nanoparticles and electron microscopy consumables — gold and silver nanoparticle standards — primarily to research institutions, overlapping with Cytodiagnostics' microscopy and EM consumables catalog.

Emerging players

• nanoHybrids Corp. nanoHybrids is a smaller nanoparticle manufacturer focused on biomedical applications including dark-field microscopy contrast agents and photothermal therapy — direct overlap with Cytodiagnostics' gold nanoparticle product family.
• CD Bioparticles: CD Bioparticles offers custom nanoparticle development and provides polymer, lipid, magnetic, and gold nanoparticles for drug delivery and diagnostics — overlapping technology and comparable customer base to Cytodiagnostics.

Broad incumbents

• MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich): MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich) is the largest life-science reagent supplier offering gold and silver nanoparticles among thousands of SKUs — direct overlap on standard nanoparticle lines, though embedded in a much broader portfolio.
• Cytiva (Danaher): Cytiva, a Danaher life-sciences company, supplies bioprocessing and diagnostic workflow products including particle-based reagents and lateral flow materials. Cytodiagnostics' LFA and ELISA kit offerings partially overlap with Cytiva's diagnostic production portfolio.

Others

• CytoGroup Inc. CytoGroup is the sister/affiliate company that provides lateral flow, vertical flow, ELISA, and ELASA assay development services. Cytodiagnostics refers customers to CytoGroup for comprehensive assay development, making it a directly related entity rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Cytodiagnostics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cytodiagnostics-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Cytodiagnostics