What Cellames does

Cellames Inc. is a privately held Korean bio-electronics company founded in February 2022 and headquartered in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. The company designs and manufactures Micro Electrode Array (MEA) and electrical cell-substrate impedance measurement systems used for non-destructive, real-time monitoring of cellular electrophysiology in pharmaceutical drug discovery and preclinical safety testing. Its core products are the CIMS-32 impedance platform, the CFPS-32 MEA platform for cardiomyocyte and neuron field-potential recording, and the CIMFS-32/CIMFS-96 integrated systems that combine impedance and MEA measurements in a single instrument. A differentiator is proprietary transparent indium-tin-oxide (ITO) electrode technology that enables simultaneous optical microscopy and electrophysiological recording, plus silicon 3D-Net technology for stable long-term organoid measurement on planar MEA chips.

The company's revenue model is hardware-led, comprising capital equipment sales (CIMS-32, CFPS-32, CIMFS-32, CIMFS-96) and a razor-blade stream of consumable cell chips including CIMS-Plates, CFPS-Plates, and organoid solutions. Cellames also distributes third-party products from 3Brain (Switzerland, HD-MEA) and Lucid Scientific (USA, Resipher OCR), integrating the latter with its own platform. Customers are concentrated in three segments: pharmaceutical companies for cardiac and neuro safety evaluation, contract research organizations for preclinical toxicology services, and academic/research institutions for stem-cell and organoid research, with regulatory alignment to MFDS, CiPA, and ICH S7B/E14 frameworks.

Cellames goes to market through direct enterprise sales in Korea and through regional distributors in Japan (Inter Medical), Italy (Neomed), Taiwan (FoliBio Technology), and South Korea (CHAYON Laboratories), while generating demand via industry events (BIO KOREA, BIOJAPAN, ISSCR, JSOT, SOT ToxExpo) and technical content (white papers, webinars). The company has secured approximately 4.75 billion KRW in equity capital across three rounds (2022, 2024, 2025) plus roughly 1.5 billion KRW in government R&D grants, holds around 18 domestic patents and 4 PCT applications, and is included in Korea's MFDS Comprehensive Arrhythmia Assessment Guidelines.

Name

Cellames

Legal name

CELLAMES Inc.

Website

https://cellames.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cellames is a Korean bio-electronics company that designs Micro Electrode Array and cell impedance measurement systems for real-time, non-destructive drug safety testing in pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and research institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bio-electronic Preclinical Safety Measurement Systems

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

In Vitro Toxicology (Cell-based/Organ-on-chip) (HLAGAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Organoids & Organ-on-Chip (regenerative models) (HLAAAGAD), In Vitro Model Systems & Organoid Platforms (iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems) (HLAAAIAJ), Biosensors & Lab-on-Chip (BioMEMS) (HDAHALAK), Cell-Based & Potency Assays (Bioassays) (HLAGADAH)

Keywords

• Bio-electronic measurement systems
• Micro electrode arrays
• Cell impedance monitoring
• Preclinical safety evaluation
• Organoid analysis platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. MEA and Impedance Measurement Systems: Sale of proprietary bio-electronic measurement systems including CIMS-32, CFPS-32, CIMFS-32, and CIMFS-96. These are capital equipment systems sold to pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and research institutions. The company also sells complementary analysis software with these systems.
2. Cell Chips and Consumables: Recurring revenue from consumable cell chips including CIMS-Plates, CFPS-Plates, and organoid solution products. These include both ITO transparent electrode chips and opaque alloy electrode variants across multiple well configurations.
3. Distribution of Third-Party Products: Cellames serves as a distributor for 3Brain (Switzerland) and Lucid Scientific products, generating revenue through the resale of these complementary technologies alongside its own product portfolio.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cellames develops and sells bio-electronic measurement systems that combine Micro-Electrode Array (MEA) and Cell Impedance Measurement (CIMS) technologies for non-destructive, real-time monitoring of cellular electrophysiology in iPSC-derived cells, organoids, and spheroids. Its product portfolio includes capital equipment systems (CIMS-32, CFPS-32, CFPS-32-NR, CIMFS-32, CIMFS-96) and consumable transparent ITO cell chips and organoid solutions. The company serves pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and academic research institutions for preclinical cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and drug-induced proarrhythmia safety evaluation.

Product overview

Cellames is a bio-electronics company developing NAMs (New Approach Methodologies) for alternative testing to animal experiments. The product portfolio centers on three interconnected platform lines: (1) CIMS-32 for impedance-based cell monitoring, (2) CFPS-32 for MEA-based field potential measurement of cardiomyocytes and neurons, and (3) CIMFS-32/96 which combine both impedance and MEA capabilities in unified systems. Supporting these platforms are proprietary transparent ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) cell chips including CIMS-Plates, CFPS-Plates, and 16MEA Organoid Chips, plus an integrated solution with Lucid Scientific's Resipher-32 for simultaneous OCR measurement. The company also distributes 3Brain's HD-MEA products. These products enable real-time, non-destructive analysis of electrophysiological signals from organoids and cells for drug discovery and cardiac/neuro toxicity evaluation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CIMS-32 Cell Impedance Monitoring System 32-channel cell impedance monitoring system for real-time, non-destructive monitoring of cellular behaviors including cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, toxicity, and drug responses through impedance measurements at multiple frequencies (1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz). Sold to pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and research institutions.
• CFPS-32 MEA System 32-channel Micro Electrode Array (MEA) system for real-time, non-destructive monitoring of cardiomyocyte electrical activities. Measures Local Field Potentials (LFPs) including Beat Period, Spike Amplitude, and Field Potential Duration (FPD) for cardiac safety and proarrhythmia evaluation.
• CFPS-32-NR MEA System 32-channel Micro Electrode Array system for non-destructive, real-time monitoring of electrical characteristics in neuron cells and brain tissue. Compact design for use in general laboratory and cell incubator environments, with nV to uV voltage sensing and minimized power noise.
• CIMFS-32 Combined Impedance and MEA System 32-channel integrated system combining CIMS-32 and CFPS-32 features for simultaneous impedance and electrophysiological monitoring of cells. Includes new features for contractility measurement and electrical stimulation of cardiomyocytes.
• CIMFS-96 96-Channel MEA System 96-channel Cell Impedance and MEA System for high-capacity, high-speed drug screening and toxicity evaluation. Capable of simultaneously analyzing 12 organoids with 96 independent electrodes, combining impedance-based cell proliferation/differentiation monitoring with MEA-based electrical signal measurement.
• CITO-02W16E-10A 16MEA Cell Chip 16-well MEA Cell Chip with 16 microelectrodes per well for organoid and spheroid analysis. Features transparent ITO electrodes and optimized well size for 3D cell analysis.
• CITO-02W16E-06A 2-Well 16MEA Cell Chip
• CITO-16W01E-IFE CIMS-Plate
• CPCB-16W01E-IFE CIMS-Plate
• CITO-08W01E-SGL CFPS-Plate
• CITO-16W01E-SGL CFPS-Plate
• Organoid Solution
• Silicone Nets and Holder
• CMDL-16WQC-IMP Model Cell for CIMS QC
• CMDL-01WQC-MEA Model Cell for CFPS QC
• CMDL-01WQC-NR Model Cell for Neuron QC
• CIMS/CIMFS-Resipher Integrated Platform
• 3Brain HD-MEA Products (Distributed)
• Lucid Scientific Products (Distributed)

Quantifiable outcome

• IC50 value for cisplatin on A549 cells determined at 7.73 µM using CIMS-32 impedance measurements, closely matching the MTT assay IC50 of 10.17 µM
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature10 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NEXT&BIO (넥스트앤바이오)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Cellames and NEXT&BIO signed an MOU for brain organoid production and quality control system collaboration. NEXT&BIO produces brain organoids using standardized culture technology, while Cellames provides HD-MEA-based electrophysiological measurement systems for functional verification and quality control of organoid batches. The partnership aims to establish standardized QC processes and stable mass production systems for brain organoids, supporting NAMs-based drug development.
• CHAYON Laboratories (South Korea)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2025Distributor agreement signed September 2025 for South Korean market distribution of Cellames products.
• Inter Medical (Japan)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2025Distributor agreement signed June 2025 for Japanese market distribution, with Cellames participating in ISSCR 2025 in Okinawa to support market development.
• OrganoidSciences (오가노이드사이언스)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2025Cellames and OrganoidSciences signed a strategic MOU for organoid technology commercialization. The collaboration combines OrganoidSciences' expertise in developing regenerative therapeutic organoids with Cellames' non-destructive real-time monitoring systems. The goal is to integrate Cellames' impedance and MEA sensors into OrganoidSciences' mass production process to ensure uniformity and standardization of organoid products.
• Neomed (Italy)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2025Distributor agreement signed March 2025 for Italian market distribution of Cellames products including CIMS-32, CFPS-32, and related cell chips.
• Lucid Scientific (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2024Cellames serves as the domestic agency partner for Lucid Scientific's Resipher oxygen consumption rate (OCR) monitoring system. The two companies integrated Resipher-32 with CIMS-32 to create the CIMS/CIMFS-Resipher Integrated Platform, enabling simultaneous impedance and OCR measurements from the same well for comprehensive cellular analysis.
• 3Brain (Switzerland)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2024Cellames serves as the domestic agency partner for 3Brain's HD-MEA and 3D HD-MEA technologies in South Korea. 3Brain's high-density MEA systems complement Cellames' existing portfolio, with Cellames presenting 3Brain technology through BRIC webinars and integrating the technology into its customer offerings.
• Korea Institute of Safety Evaluation (KISO)coreOthersKISO (안전성평가연구소) is a government-affiliated research institute that collaborated with Cellames through the DIPS 1000+ project. KISO selected Cellames as a promising startup in the animal alternative testing field and participated in the joint government program providing R&D funding of approximately 1.5 billion KRW.
• Yonsei UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner listed on Cellames' partners page, indicating ongoing collaborative research activities.
• Gachon UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with connections through CEO Cho Sang-Jun's prior role as Associate Professor. Active collaborative research relationship.
• Konkuk UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner through Outside Director Prof. C-Yoon Kim, who serves as Director of the Organoid Testing Validation Center at Konkuk University.
• Sungkyunkwan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner listed on Cellames' partners page, indicating collaborative research activities.
• BioSolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner on Cellames' website, indicating collaborative relationship in the bio-electronics or organoid space.
• SPLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner on Cellames' website.
• Konkuk UniversityminorOthersListed as a partner with Prof. C-Yoon Kim serving as Outside Director, overseeing the Organoid Testing Validation Center.
• Ok-MPSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner on Cellames' website.
• BioSperominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner on Cellames' website.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Multi Channel Systems: German manufacturer of MEA systems and microelectrode chips used in cardiac and neuroscience research. Direct competitor to Cellames in field potential recording for cardiomyocytes and neurons.
• Axion Biosystems: US-based MEA platform provider (now part of MaxWell Biosystems) with the widely adopted Maestro line for cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity assays. A direct competitor to Cellames' CFPS-32/CIMFS platforms in iPSC-CM and neuron safety testing.
• MaxWell Biosystems: Swiss-based leader in high-density MEA platforms and CMOS-MEA chips used for neuronal and cardiac electrophysiology. The most direct competitor to Cellames' CFPS and CIMFS systems in pharma and academic drug safety applications.
• 3Brain: Swiss HD-MEA and 3D HD-MEA platform provider, and a Cellames distribution partner in Korea. Partly competing product in high-density MEA and partly partner via reciprocal distribution arrangement.
• Nanion Technologies: German provider of automated patch clamp, MEA (CardioExcyte), and cell analysis instruments serving pharma safety pharmacology. Directly competes with Cellames in impedance and field potential measurement for cardiotoxicity screening.
• Lucid Scientific: US-based developer of the Resipher real-time cell metabolism (OCR) monitoring platform, which Cellames integrates with CIMS/CIMFS. Adjacent competitor in live-cell kinetic monitoring and distribution partner in Korea.

Emerging players

• CN Bio: UK-based organ-on-chip and MPS platform company serving pharma toxicology use cases. Comparable to Cellames as an emerging player in alternative testing modalities, although with a different primary technology stack.
• InSphero: Swiss provider of 3D organoid and microtissue platforms for preclinical safety and efficacy testing. Comparable as a downstream consumer of MEA/impedance instrumentation and an emerging player in organoid-based drug safety.

Broad incumbents

• Molecular Devices (Danaher): Danaher subsidiary offering MEA readers (e.g., Axion-derived platforms) and broader electrophysiology instrumentation. A broad incumbent with overlapping MEA capability plus adjacent plate-reader and screening platforms.
• Agilent (xCELLigence / ACEA): Agilent (which acquired ACEA Biosciences) sells the xCELLigence real-time cell analysis (impedance) platform, a direct functional competitor to Cellames' CIMS-32 in label-free cell health monitoring.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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 Cellames