What Zymo Research does

Zymo Research Corporation is a privately held molecular biology tools and services company headquartered in Irvine, California, founded in 1994 by Larry Jia. The company develops and manufactures nucleic acid purification, sample preservation, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation technologies, organized around proprietary chemistries such as DNA/RNA Shield (ambient-temperature sample stabilization for 30+ days), Direct-zol (single-column RNA/DNA extraction from TRI Reagent in ~7 minutes), EZ DNA Methylation-Lightning (bisulfite conversion in <1.5 hours), Zymo-Seq WGBS (single-tube whole-genome bisulfite sequencing via tagmentation), and the ZymoBIOMICS microbial community standards, which are the #1 cited microbiome reference materials in the industry.

The company sells reagent-based products (DNA/RNA extraction kits, collection devices, NGS library prep kits, epigenetics assays, microbiomics standards) through direct e-commerce, a global distributor network, OEM/custom manufacturing partnerships, and enterprise sales channels. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time unit-based product sales with tiered bulk discounts of 5-20%, supplemented by professional services revenue from its newer Zymo Services NGS offering (microbiome, RNA-Seq, epigenomics, bioinformatics with turnaround as fast as five days) and licensing/OEM arrangements. Customers include academic institutions (Yale, University of Amsterdam, University of Florida, University of Pavia), government agencies (USDA), biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms, CROs, and public health organizations.

Zymo employs 101-250 staff, maintains ISO certification, and holds FDA Emergency Use Authorization and CE-IVD marking for its DNA/RNA Shield Saliva/Sputum Collection Kit - DX. The firm operates a horizontal GTM motion spanning product-led growth via e-commerce and free sample programs for SMB/academic buyers, alongside enterprise field sales for NGS services. Recent strategic activity centers on a June 2026 launch of Zymo Services (pivot from reagent provider to comprehensive discovery partner) and partnerships with biomodal (multiomics integration, November 2025) and STORI (cfDNA early-pregnancy detection assay, April 2026).

Name

Zymo Research

Legal name

Zymo Research Corporation

Website

https://zymoresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Zymo Research is a privately held molecular biology tools and NGS services company specializing in nucleic acid purification, ambient-temperature sample preservation, and library preparation technologies, serving academic, biotech, pharmaceutical, clinical, and government researchers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Molecular Biology Reagents and Kits

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Genomics & Molecular Diagnostics (Trial Support) (HLAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF), Laboratory-Based Surveillance & Genomic Epidemiology (WGS/NGS) (HLAJABAC), Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics) (HLAAALAD), Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics Laboratories (HLAFAMAE), Epigenomics & Chromatin Profiling Services (HLAGANAF)

Keywords

• Nucleic acid purification
• NGS library preparation
• Microbiome analysis services
• DNA methylation analysis
• Sample preservation reagents

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Molecular Biology Kits and Reagents: Sale of DNA/RNA extraction kits, sample collection devices, NGS library preparation kits, epigenetics products, and microbiomics solutions. Products sold through direct e-commerce, distributors, and bulk orders with tiered pricing.
2. NGS Services: End-to-end next-generation sequencing services including microbiome analysis, RNA-Seq, epigenomics, and bioinformatics. Turnaround times as fast as five days with expertise in challenging sample types.
3. Custom and OEM Manufacturing: Custom manufacturing solutions and OEM services for tailored product formats and bulk quantities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zymo Research manufactures and sells nucleic acid purification reagents and kits (sample collection/preservation, DNA/RNA extraction, cleanup, NGS library prep, epigenetics, microbiome standards), and provides end-to-end next-generation sequencing services covering microbiome, transcriptomic, epigenomic, and bioinformatics analysis. Products are sold under proprietary brand chemistries such as DNA/RNA Shield, Direct-zol, ZymoBIOMICS, Zymo-Seq, and EZ DNA Methylation-Lightning.

Product overview

Zymo Research offers a comprehensive portfolio of molecular biology tools and NGS services organized into two main categories: reagent-based products and service offerings. The product line centers on sample collection and preservation solutions (DNA/RNA Shield family including SafeCollect kits for saliva, swabs, feces, and blood), DNA purification products (ZymoPURE plasmid kits, Quick-DNA extraction kits, DNA Clean & Concentrator kits, Zymoclean gel recovery kits, ZymoBIOMICS microbial DNA kits), and RNA purification solutions (Direct-zol RNA kits extracting from TRI Reagent in as little as 7 minutes, Quick-RNA kits, RNA Clean & Concentrator kits). The NGS library preparation portfolio includes transcriptomics products (Zymo-Seq RiboFree Total RNA Library Kit for universal rRNA depletion, Zymo-Seq SwitchFree 3' mRNA Library Kit), microbiome products (Quick-16S Plus and Quick-ITS Plus library prep kits targeting various rRNA gene regions, Quick-16S Full-Length for PacBio/Oxford Nanopore long-read platforms), and epigenomics products (Zymo-Seq WGBS and Trio WGBS library kits for whole genome bisulfite sequencing, Zymo-Seq ATAC Library Kit for chromatin accessibility). The epigenetics line features EZ DNA Methylation Lightning Kits for bisulfite conversion, OneStep qMethyl-PCR Kit for methylation detection, and ELISA kits for 5-mC and 5-hmC quantification. ZymoBIOMICS standards provide mock microbial communities for workflow validation. The service portfolio encompasses end-to-end NGS solutions through Zymo Services including microbiome analysis (16S/ITS amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing), epigenomics (DNA methylation, bisulfite sequencing, ChIP-Seq), transcriptomics (RNA-Seq), and bioinformatics support, all backed by sample collection device integration. Automation solutions support Hamilton, Tecan, Opentrons, and magnetic bead platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DNA/RNA Shield Nucleic acid stabilization solution for sample storage and preservation at ambient temperature for any biological sample type, including saliva, blood, feces, swabs, and tissue.
• DNA/RNA Shield SafeCollect Saliva/Sputum Collection Kit User-friendly saliva and sputum collection kit with built-in nucleic acid stabilization and pathogen inactivation for safe transport and storage; CE-IVD marked and FDA EUA registered.
• DNA/RNA Shield Fecal Collection Tube Collection tubes for stool specimen preservation that inactivate pathogens while stabilizing nucleic acids for transport or storage.
• DNA/RNA Shield Blood Collection Tube Tubes designed for collection and transportation of whole blood at ambient temperatures with instant DNA and RNA stabilization and pathogen inactivation.
• ZymoPURE Plasmid Kits High-quality plasmid DNA purification kits providing transfection-grade plasmid in minutes using spin-column protocols across scales from miniprep to gigaprep.
• Quick-DNA Kits Rapid DNA extraction kits providing high-yield, ultra-pure total DNA from biological fluids, cell cultures, or solid tissue samples using simple protocols.
• DNA Clean & Concentrator Kits Rapid recovery and concentration of highly-pure DNA from PCR, enzymatic reactions, and other sources with minimal elution volumes.
• Zymoclean Gel DNA Recovery Kits Quick recovery of ultra-pure DNA from TAE/TBE buffered agarose gels with high efficiency.
• ZymoBIOMICS DNA Kits Microbial DNA purification kits designed for unbiased extraction from diverse sample inputs for accurate microbiome and metagenomic analysis.
• Direct-zol RNA Kits Streamlined RNA purification from TRI Reagent or similar samples in as little as 7 minutes without phase separation, precipitation, or post-purification steps.
• Quick-RNA Kits NGS-ready RNA isolation kits delivering DNA-free RNA from various cell and tissue samples using non-organic extraction methods.
• RNA Clean & Concentrator Kits Rapid preparation of high-quality, RT-PCR-ready, DNA-free RNA using state-of-the-art fast-spin column technology.
• Quick-16S Plus NGS Library Prep Kits Fast and simple NGS library prep kits targeting 16S rRNA gene regions (V1-V2, V1-V3, V3-V4, V4) for high-throughput microbiome profiling.
• Quick-ITS Plus NGS Library Prep Kit Fast and simple NGS library prep targeting the ITS region for high-throughput fungal microbiome profiling.
• Zymo-Seq WGBS Library Kit Whole genome bisulfite sequencing library preparation kit enabling single-tube WGBS library preparation using tagmentation technology.
• Zymo-Seq RiboFree Total RNA Library Kit Universal rRNA depletion kit for total RNA sequencing from any organism with a simplified all-inclusive workflow.
• EZ DNA Methylation Lightning Kits Fastest bisulfite conversion kits for complete DNA methylation analysis with streamlined workflows available in multiple formats.
• ZymoBIOMICS Microbial Community Standards Mock microbial communities for assessing bias in DNA isolation and validating microbiome profiling workflows, including the #1 cited microbiome standard.
• MAGicBead cfDNA Isolation Kit Magnetic bead-based isolation kit with unique surface chemistry for cell-free DNA recovery from biofluids.
• ZR BashingBead Lysis Tubes 2 mL tubes containing ultra-high density beads for efficient disruption of tough-to-lyse biological samples including tissue and microbes.
• Zymo Services (End-to-End NGS Services) End-to-end next-generation sequencing services including microbiome analysis (16S/ITS amplicon, shotgun metagenomic), epigenomics (DNA methylation, bisulfite sequencing, ChIP-Seq), transcriptomics (RNA-Seq), and bioinformatics support, with turnaround times as fast as five days.
• Microbiome Analysis Services Comprehensive services for short- and long-read 16S rRNA, ITS, 18S, and shotgun sequencing from any sample type with expert bioinformatics support.
• Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Analysis Service Comprehensive and reliable service for genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of any species with a reference genome, including low-input samples.
• RNA-Seq Services Fully customizable RNA sequencing services from provided sample collection devices to comprehensive bioinformatic analysis.
• Targeted Bisulfite Sequencing Service Personalized targeted bisulfite sequencing service with comprehensive, expert-guided bioinformatic analysis for epigenetic marker validation.
• ChIP-Seq Service Service for genome-wide analysis of protein-DNA interactions with publication-ready data output.
• Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing Service Shotgun metagenomic sequencing service with strain-level identification capabilities delivered in as little as two weeks.
• ZymoBIOMICS Fecal Reference with TruMatrix Microbial reference material composed of stool from healthy donors for quality control, process validation, assay development, and proficiency testing.
• Laboratory Automation Solutions Laboratory automation solutions supporting Hamilton, Tecan, Opentrons, and magnetic bead platforms, enabling high-throughput processing of nucleic acid workflows.
• OEM and Custom Manufacturing Services OEM and custom manufacturing services providing tailored product formats, bulk quantities, and white-label solutions for other companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• DNA/RNA Shield preserves RNA at ambient temperature for >1 month and DNA for >2 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• STORIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026Collaboration to develop and commercialize early pregnancy detection assay based on cell-free DNA technology. Assay identifies placental-derived DNA in blood as early as five weeks gestation. Zymo provides molecular biology technologies including optimized sample preservation, cfDNA extraction chemistry, assay design, and computational analysis. STORI serves as exclusive commercialization partner offering at-home capillary blood collection with initial applications in prenatal biological sex determination.
• biomodalcoreTechnology or Integration · 19 November 2025Partnership to integrate biomodal's multiomics technology into Zymo's NGS Services platform, enabling analysis of multiple DNA modifications from a single library. Collaboration aims to advance epigenetics research and promote insights into gene regulation, disease mechanisms, and cellular function. Expected to accelerate research in oncology, neurobiology, aging, and precision medicine.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• QIAGEN: QIAGEN is the dominant incumbent in nucleic acid purification and sample technologies, directly overlapping with Zymo's DNA/RNA extraction kits and sample collection devices. Both serve molecular biology, genomics, and clinical diagnostics customers with similar spin-column and bead-based workflows.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad offers DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and droplet-based genomics products that compete with Zymo's reagent portfolio. Its life science research and clinical diagnostics segments overlap with Zymo's customer base across academia, biotech, and clinical labs.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher offers the Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems brands covering nucleic acid purification, NGS library prep, and molecular biology reagents that compete head-to-head with Zymo's core product portfolio. Its scale, distribution, and bundling capabilities make it the most consequential competitor across nearly every Zymo product line.

Direct peers

• Eurofins Genomics: Eurofins Genomics is a major provider of genomic sequencing services including amplicon, metagenomic, and Sanger sequencing. Zymo's Zymo Services competes directly with Eurofins' microbiome, RNA-Seq, and bisulfite sequencing service offerings for biotech and academic customers.
• Macherey-Nagel: Macherey-Nagel offers the NucleoSpin and NucleoMag nucleic acid purification kits that directly compete with Zymo's spin-column and magnetic bead extraction products. Both target molecular biology and genomics research customers with similar workflows.
• New England Biolabs (NEB): NEB is a privately held molecular biology tools company offering nucleic acid purification, enzymes, and NGS library prep reagents in direct competition with Zymo's kits. Both are founder-era, US-based, research-tools specialists with comparable customer bases in academia and biotech.
• Omega Bio-tek: Omega Bio-tek is a privately held specialist in DNA/RNA extraction kits (E.Z.N.A. product line), directly competing with Zymo's Quick-DNA, Direct-zol, and ZymoBIOMICS extraction kits for academic and biotech molecular biology customers.
• Promega Corporation: Promega is a privately held life science tools company with nucleic acid purification, amplification, and NGS product lines overlapping Zymo's. Both target forensic, clinical, and research customers with comparable DNA/RNA extraction chemistries.
• Azenta Life Sciences (formerly Genewiz): Azenta's Genewiz business provides end-to-end NGS services including RNA-Seq, whole genome sequencing, and epigenomics services directly comparable to Zymo Services. Both serve biotech, pharma, and academic customers requiring outsourced sequencing and bioinformatics.

Emerging players

• LGC Biosearch Technologies: LGC Biosearch Technologies offers genomics tools including nucleic acid purification, custom oligos, and qPCR reagents overlapping with Zymo's molecular biology reagents portfolio. It competes particularly in agricultural genomics and microbiome applications where Zymo also has presence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zymoresearch
• Facebookfacebook.com/zymoresearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/503544

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zymo Research