What Plasmidsaurus does

Plasmidsaurus is a privately held biotechnology company headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, that operates a sequencing-as-a-service platform targeting life-sciences researchers in pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and academic institutions. The company pioneered whole plasmid sequencing — a method that characterizes complete plasmid sequences including inserts and backbones in a single run without requiring assembly, primer walking, or library preparation — and has since extended the same rapid-turnaround playbook to RNA-Seq, amplicon sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, AAV sequencing, microbiome (amplicon and shotgun metagenomics), genotyping analysis, and custom sequencing. The platform integrates Oxford Nanopore long-read and Illumina short-read chemistries with proprietary automated workflows and built-in bioinformatics, delivering results in as little as 50 minutes for overnight plasmid samples and as fast as 3 days for RNA-Seq, with claimed 99.99% accuracy on plasmid sequencing.

Plasmidsaurus makes money through per-sample usage-based pricing with no minimum order size, sold primarily through a self-serve online ordering portal (app.plasmidsaurus.com) supported by a global network of 10 laboratories and more than 1,000 sample dropboxes across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Singapore. Pricing is deliberately accessible — $50-$80 per RNA-Seq sample, from $90 per shotgun metagenomics sample, and from £12 for overnight plasmid sequencing in Oxford — and the company supplements direct self-serve revenue with automation-integration partnerships (Hamilton Microlab STAR X, Dynamic Devices LYNX, Omega Bio-tek) targeting high-throughput laboratory customers, plus a flagship sequencing partnership with plasmid repository Addgene.

The company serves a heterogeneous customer base of more than 70,000 scientists, including unnamed Fortune 100 pharmaceutical companies, Nobel laureates, Ginkgo Bioworks, and a long tail of academic and biotech researchers. Co-founders Mark Budde (CEO) and Eric Johnson lead a team of 101-250 employees. The company is incorporated in Delaware as Plasmidsaurus Inc., with no disclosed funding rounds and no public listing, and the ownership structure is not publicly reported.

Name

Plasmidsaurus

Legal name

Plasmidsaurus Inc.

Website

https://plasmidsaurus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Plasmidsaurus is a privately held sequencing-as-a-service company that pioneered whole plasmid sequencing and now offers RNA-Seq, amplicon, whole genome, AAV, and microbiome sequencing to over 70,000 scientists in pharma, biotech, and academia across 10 global labs and 1,000+ dropboxes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Genomics Sequencing Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioinformatics, Multi-Omics Data Analysis & Interpretation Services (HLAGANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Genomic Profiling & Sequencing-Based Precision Medicine (HLAAANAA), Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE), Microbiome Analytics, Sequencing & Bioinformatics Platforms (HLAAAFAI), Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics Laboratories (HLAFAMAE)

Keywords

• DNA sequencing services
• Plasmid sequencing
• RNA-Seq services
• Whole genome sequencing
• Microbiome sequencing

Headquarters

HQ city

Eugene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sequencing as a Service - Per Sample: On-demand sequencing services billed per sample with no minimum order requirements. Customers submit samples via dropboxes or direct shipping and receive results through online platform. Pricing varies by service type and turnaround time.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Plasmidsaurus operates a sequencing-as-a-service platform that performs DNA and RNA sequencing for life sciences customers. Core offerings include Whole Plasmid Sequencing (the company's pioneering capability), RNA-Seq, Amplicon Sequencing, Whole Genome Sequencing, AAV Sequencing, Microbiome/Shotgun Metagenomics, Custom Sequencing, and Genotyping Analysis. Samples are submitted via a global dropbox network or direct shipping, processed across 10 labs using Oxford Nanopore and Illumina technologies, and delivered as annotated results with integrated bioinformatics.

Product overview

Plasmidsaurus is a sequencing-as-a-service platform offering a comprehensive suite of DNA and RNA sequencing services. The portfolio centers around Whole Plasmid Sequencing (the company's founding capability), complemented by RNA-Seq (including ultrafast 3-day turnaround), Amplicon Sequencing (with Linear/PCR and Premium PCR options), Whole Genome Sequencing, AAV Sequencing, Microbiome Sequencing (with both 16S/18S/ITS amplicon and shotgun metagenomics options), and Custom Sequencing services. Services leverage both Oxford Nanopore long-read and Illumina short-read technologies, with bioinformatics analysis integrated into all offerings. The company operates globally with 10 labs and 1000+ dropbox locations for sample submission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RNA-Seq Ultrafast gene expression analysis service delivering RNA-Seq results in as fast as 3 days for $50–$80 per sample, with ambient shipping supported for cells and purified RNA. No library prep or minimum order size required; targeted at pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic researchers needing rapid transcriptomic data.
• Whole Plasmid Sequencing Complete plasmid DNA sequencing service that sequences entire plasmids including inserts and backbones in one run without assembly or primers. Delivers overnight turnaround with claimed 99.99% accuracy, eliminating need for primer walking and oligo synthesis; effective for repetitive sequences such as AAV LTR, ITR, and GC-rich regions.
• Amplicon Sequencing Sequencing service for PCR products or amplicons of any size with simple setup and fast results. Includes a Premium PCR option for deeper end-to-end sequencing of mixed populations without primers.
• Whole Genome Sequencing Fast and complete genome sequencing for nearly any organism using Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing technology, with overnight turnaround options including microbial genomes shipped via FedEx.
• AAV Sequencing Adeno-associated virus (AAV) genome sequencing service that goes from intact capsids to full-length AAV genome sequences in 3 days, identifying potential issues other sequencing methods miss — particularly ITR problems that block traditional methods.
• Microbiome Sequencing Species-level identification service for microbiomes, available as overnight microbiome amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics. Delivers genomic profiling across bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, and eukaryotic DNA viruses directly from raw environmental samples or PCR products.
• Custom Sequencing Bespoke sequencing services for specialized requirements outside standard service offerings, enabling tailored workflows for novel applications.
• Genotyping Analysis Amplicon sequencing service for characterizing allelic composition and frequency at specific loci, leveraging Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing to confidently phase variants and sequence extended amplicons (100 bp – 25 kb). Accurately detects all alleles present at greater than 5% frequency.
• Shotgun Metagenomics Comprehensive shotgun metagenomics service using Illumina short-read technology for taxonomic and functional profiling of microbial communities. Features an automated pipeline including quality control via fastp, host removal via minimap2, taxonomic profiling via Sylph, and functional profiling via HUMAnN 3.9. Available at Standard (2 Gb raw data, $90/sample starting) and Big service levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Plasmidsaurus returned perfect match to reference sequences significantly more often than other vendors in independent study comparing 42 complex plasmids
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Omega Bio-tekcoreTechnology or Integration · 10 February 2026Ongoing partnership where Plasmidsaurus provides sequencing data verification for Omega Bio-tek's Mag-Bind Endo-free Plasmid Midi Kit. Partnership showcased at SLAS 2026 as part of automated nucleic acid purification workflow integrations designed for high-throughput laboratories.
• Hamilton Microlab STAR XcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 February 2026Workflow collaboration for automated DNA purification integrated with Hamilton Microlab STAR X liquid handlers, enabling high-throughput automation-ready sample processing for laboratories.
• Dynamic Devices LYNXcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 February 2026Workflow collaboration for plasmid purification integrated with Dynamic Devices LYNX liquid handlers, enabling high-throughput automation-ready sample processing for laboratories.
• AddgeneflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partnership where Plasmidsaurus now handles the majority of Addgene's plasmid sequencing. Joint webinar conducted exploring benefits of whole-plasmid sequencing and how the partnership advances plasmid accuracy, transparency, and accessibility for researchers worldwide in support of reliable open-access science.
• Pedal & PostminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZero-emission sample collection and delivery partner for Oxford area dropboxes, helping Plasmidsaurus deliver samples from Oxford locations to their London lab emissions-free.
• RecycleLabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to reduce single-use plastic waste in laboratory operations, supporting Plasmidsaurus' sustainability initiatives for environmental responsibility in science.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BGI Genomics: BGI is a global genomics incumbent offering WGS, RNA-Seq, amplicon, microbiome and clinical sequencing services with massive scale and aggressive pricing. Comparable menu and customer base, but operates at vastly larger scale and broader scope than Plasmidsaurus.
• Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT): IDT, owned by Danaher, is a leading oligo and reagent supplier that has expanded into next-generation sequencing services and CRISPR products. Competes with Plasmidsaurus on amplicon and custom sequencing from a much larger reagent and distribution base.
• Eurofins Genomics: Eurofins Genomics is the sequencing services arm of global life-sciences testing giant Eurofins. Overlaps directly on Sanger, NGS, plasmid and amplicon sequencing but operates as part of a much broader testing and diagnostics portfolio.

Emerging players

• Personalis: Personalis operates a sequencing services business (plus its NeXT Personal Dx platform) targeting oncology and biopharma customers with whole-genome and immuno-repertoire sequencing — overlapping with Plasmidsaurus's enterprise pharma segment.
• 10x Genomics: 10x Genomics sells sample-prep and linked-read sequencing tools plus growing sequencing services that compete for the same single-cell and omics workflows. An adjacent enabling/competing player pushing into Plasmidsaurus's advanced applications.
• Singular Genomics: Singular Genomics develops novel benchtop sequencing instruments (G4) targeting academic and clinical markets. It represents both a competing technology roadmap and a future platform alternative that Plasmidsaurus's long-read service relies on.

Direct peers

• Novogene: Novogene is one of the largest global sequencing service providers, offering NGS, long-read, RNA-Seq, microbiome and custom sequencing to pharma, ag-bio and academic customers. Same product breadth, scale ambition and online self-service ordering.
• Azenta Life Sciences (Genewiz): Azenta owns Genewiz, the longest-standing direct competitor in research-grade Sanger and next-generation sequencing services. Same target customers (academic and biotech labs), same per-sample service model, and now a global lab footprint — making it Plasmidsaurus's closest comparable service business.
• CD Genomics: CD Genomics sells sequencing-as-a-service across whole genome, RNA-Seq, plasmid, amplicon, and microbiome services to academic and pharma customers worldwide. Directly comparable menu, customer type, and asynchronous online ordering model.

Others

• Twist Bioscience: Twist is a synthetic biology and DNA synthesis company whose products (gene fragments, oligo pools, NGS target enrichment) sit upstream of the sequencing services Plasmidsaurus delivers. It is a complementary ecosystem participant rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/plasmidsaurus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Plasmidsaurus.
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plasmidsaurus
• Instagraminstagram.com/plasmidsaurus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Plasmidsaurus