What Cellink does

CELLINK Bioprinting AB is a Swedish 3D bioprinting company headquartered in Gothenburg and operating as the bioprinting division of BICO Group (it was the founding brand of what became BICO before the parent rebrand). The company develops and manufactures a multi-modality bioprinter portfolio spanning extrusion (BIO X, BIO X6), Digital Light Processing (BIONOVA X, LUMEN X), and Two-Photon Polymerization (Quantum X bio, acquired via Nanoscribe in 2021), plus the BIO ONE entry-level biodispenser, alongside an extensive bioink and biomaterials catalog covering GelMA, collagen, alginate, laminin-enhanced, and tissue-specific (skin, bone, cartilage, fibrin) formulations. Underlying technology is supported by the DNA Studio 4 software platform for geometry design and protocol management and a nanofibrillated cellulose joint patent with UPM-Kymmene.

The customer base is split between academic and government research institutions (universities such as UC San Diego and Uppsala University being named partners) and pharmaceutical/biotech enterprises requiring physiologically relevant 3D tissue models for drug discovery, with secondary exposure to cosmetics testing and cell-cultured food. CELLINK's products have been cited in more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications, evidencing adoption depth in the life-science research community.

Revenue mechanics combine one-time capital equipment sales (quote-based, multi-year enterprise contracts for bioprinters), recurring consumable revenue ($135–$5,775 bioink SKUs purchased through the regional e-commerce storefront and the MyCELLINK portal), one-time software licenses, and support/services including grants funding assistance. Distribution is hybrid: direct enterprise field sales with demos, self-serve e-commerce, and authorized regional distributors (Paralab for Iberia, AXT for Oceania). Certifications include ISO 9001 and CE Mark, and the entry into medical-grade bioinks with CELLINK Vivoink signals movement toward regulated clinical applications.

Name

Cellink

Legal name

CELLINK Bioprinting AB

Website

https://cellink.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

3D Bioprinting Equipment

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Bioprinting & Biofabrication (HLAAAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bioprinting & Biofabrication Systems (Tissue/Cell Printing Hardware) (IMAAAAAG), Tissue-Engineered Constructs & Scaffolds (natural/synthetic biomaterials) (HLAAAGAB)

Keywords

• 3D bioprinters
• Bioink formulations
• Tissue engineering
• Regenerative medicine
• Drug discovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Gothenburg

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 3D Bioprinter Hardware Sales: Sale of bioprinting instruments including BIO X, BIO X6, BIONOVA X, LUMEN X, BIO ONE, and Quantum X bio systems. Equipment sold directly to research institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
2. Bioinks and Consumables: Recurring revenue from consumable bioinks (GelMA, collagen, alginate-based), base materials, and printing consumables (cartridges, nozzles, needles). Products sold through web shop with repeat purchase model.
3. Software Licenses: DNA Studio 4 and DNA Studio 4 Vault software solutions for bioprinting design and workflow management.
4. Support and Services: Technical and application support services for customers, including grants support for research funding applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CELLINK (CELLINK Bioprinting AB) designs, manufactures, and sells 3D bioprinters, bioink formulations, and related consumables used by researchers to fabricate human tissue models, organ-like constructs, and cell-based assays. Its offering spans extrusion-based, digital light processing (DLP), and two-photon polymerization (2PP) bioprinters, a portfolio of tunable bioinks, base biomaterials, and the DNA Studio 4 design software.

Product overview

CELLINK is a bioconvergence company and leading provider of 3D bioprinting solutions, operating as part of the BICO Group. The product portfolio centers on a platform-plus-modules architecture consisting of bioprinters (BIO X, BIO X6, BIONOVA X, LUMEN X, BIO ONE, Quantum X bio), bioinks (CELLINK Bioink, GelMA Bioink, GelXA series, LAMININK series, tissue-specific bioinks for SKIN, BONE, CARTILAGE, FIBRIN), base materials (collagen solutions like TeloCol and PhotoCol, alginate formulations, GelMA stocks, hyaluronic acid derivatives like PhotoHA, and supporting reagents), software (DNA Studio 4), and accessories (FRESH LifeSupport, consumables). The bioprinters range from entry-level biodispensers (BIO ONE) to advanced multi-material systems (BIO X6) to high-resolution light-based platforms (BIONOVA X, LUMEN X, Quantum X bio). The bioink portfolio includes general-purpose inks, tissue-specific formulations enhanced with laminin or fibrin, and methacrylated materials for photocrosslinking. In 2021, CELLINK expanded into Two-Photon Polymerization technology through the acquisition of Nanoscribe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MyCELLINK: Customer portal for account management, order history, and support
• DNA Studio 4
• DNA Studio 4 Vault

Products and services

• BIO X Modular extrusion-based 3D bioprinter offering six interchangeable print heads, temperature-controlled print bed, and clean chamber technology for cell-friendly tissue printing.
• BIO X6 High-throughput extrusion bioprinter with six printheads enabling complex multi-material constructs for pharmaceutical and academic tissue engineering applications.
• BIONOVA X Digital light processing (DLP) bioprinter for high-resolution, rapid photopolymerization of complex hydrogel structures with sub-micron features.
• LUMEN X (Third Generation) Third-generation DLP-based light bioprinter for high-speed, high-resolution fabrication of cell-laden hydrogel constructs and organ models.
• BIO ONE Automated, pressure-driven biodispenser for reproducible drop-on-demand deposition of cell suspensions, hydrogels, and biomaterials into well plates.
• Quantum X bio Two-photon polymerization (2PP) bioprinter enabling sub-micron 3D microfabrication of scaffolds and microfluidics for advanced tissue and organ-on-chip research.
• CELLINK Bioink Foundational nanofibrillated cellulose-based bioink formulated for consistent 3D cell encapsulation and extrusion printing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1000 peer-reviewed publications cite CELLINK products, demonstrating scientific validation and widespread adoption in the research community
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and regional.

• NanoscribemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2021Nanoscribe became part of the CELLINK Group in 2021. Nanoscribe's microfabrication systems with Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP) technology enhanced CELLINK's product offerings in bioprinting and medical applications. This acquisition expanded CELLINK's technology portfolio to include high-resolution 2PP bioprinting (Quantum X bio).
• OssiformcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to launch Ossi Ink, a printable bioink based on Ossiform's P3D Bone material. Combines Ossiform's bone-specific biomaterial expertise with CELLINK's bioprinting platform.
• University of California, San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to open a 3D Bioprinting Centre of Excellence at UC San Diego. Provides research institutions with access to advanced bioprinting technology and training.
• CarcinotechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop and commercialize protocols for cancer models using bioprinting technology. Aims to improve speed and accuracy in drug development processes through better cancer modeling.
• ParalabregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership to expand bioprinting reach in Portugal and Spain. Paralab serves as the authorized distributor for CELLINK products in the Iberian market.
• AXTregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to expand access to innovative bioprinting technologies in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). AXT serves as the authorized distributor in the region.
• Uppsala University (Prof. Elena Kozlova)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration to send bioprinted stem cells to space on the Maser14 rocket (June 2019) and SubOrbital Express 3 (2022) to study the effects of microgravity on cellular properties and diabetes treatments.
• UPM-KymmenecoreTechnology or IntegrationJoint patent on nanofibrillated cellulose formulation used in CELLINK bioink products including LAMININK series.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Organovo: Pioneer in 3D bioprinting of human tissues for therapeutic and research applications, directly competing with CELLINK in bioprinters and tissue-engineered constructs. Focuses on liver and disease-model tissue products.
• Aspect Biosystems: Canada-based biotechnology company developing microfluidic 3D bioprinting technology and tissue therapeutics. Directly comparable to CELLINK in bioprinter hardware and bioink offerings targeting pharma and academic researchers.
• Regemat 3D: Spanish company developing personal 3D bioprinters for regenerative medicine research. Directly comparable to CELLINK's benchtop BIO X and LUMEN X offerings for academic and clinical research labs.
• Poietis: French biotechnology company specializing in laser-assisted 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Competes with CELLINK in high-resolution bioprinting applications.

Broad incumbents

• 3D Systems (Allevi): Major 3D printing incumbent that acquired Allevi, a direct bioprinting peer. Competes with CELLINK across bioprinters and biomaterials while also serving broader industrial 3D printing customers.
• Stratasys: Global leader in polymer 3D printing with adjacent bioprinting and life-science applications. Competes with CELLINK for advanced research and life-science customers despite a much broader industrial focus.
• BICO Group (parent): Public parent company of CELLINK operating a portfolio of life-science automation and bioprinting brands. Relevant as the corporate parent and as a comparable scaling platform for lab automation.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global life-science tools leader offering cell culture, imaging, and lab instrumentation that competes with CELLINK for pharma and academic research budgets, especially where workflows can be bundled.
• Sartorius: Bioprocessing and lab tools provider with cell and gene therapy offerings. Comparable as a broader life-science tools incumbent serving similar pharma/biotech customers investing in 3D cell models.

Emerging players

• Cytena (BICO Group subsidiary): Single-cell dispensing technology company within BICO Group. Comparable as a sister brand addressing adjacent cell biology workflows, with potential for cross-selling alongside CELLINK bioprinters.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cellink3d
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQvH88AWbjMXhKw4hmIVKgg
• Facebookfacebook.com/cellink3d
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cellink
• Instagraminstagram.com/cellinkofficial

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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

M&A8 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Cellink