ProteinSimple
ProteinSimple designs automated protein characterization instruments, including Simple Western, iCE/Maurice, Simple Plex/Ella, Milo, and MFI platforms, for life sciences research and biopharmaceutical development. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bio-Techne Corporation, marketed under the R&D Systems brand.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersSanta Clara, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ProteinSimple does
ProteinSimple designs and manufactures automated protein characterization instruments for life sciences research and biopharmaceutical development. The company's product portfolio spans capillary electrophoresis-based western blot systems (Simple Western, including the Jess, Leo, Abby, Peggy Sue, Sally Sue, and NanoPro 1000 instruments), imaged capillary electrophoresis for protein identity, purity, and heterogeneity analysis (iCE/Maurice and MauriceFlex), automated benchtop immunoassays (Simple Plex/Ella), particle characterization for aggregate detection (Micro-Flow Imaging), single-cell western blot (Milo), and single-cell isolation (Pala). These instruments are deployed at academic and institutional research laboratories, biopharmaceutical R&D groups, and CDMOs to replace manual western blots, ELISAs, and other protein analysis workflows with reproducible, automated, low-sample-volume alternatives (e.g., 3 µL sample and 3-hour turnaround for Simple Western).
The company operates a razor-and-blade revenue model. Instruments are sold through quote-based enterprise field sales with multi-year contract support, while proprietary consumables, assay kits, cartridges, and reagents generate recurring revenue distributed through the rndsystems.com e-commerce platform, phone/fax/email ordering, and distributor channels. Instrument pricing is not publicly disclosed; consumables carry per-unit pricing. The customer base is split horizontally between academic life sciences research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, with GMP-certified proteins, antibodies, and gene engineering reagents extending the offering into regulated therapeutic manufacturing and lot release testing.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, ProteinSimple now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH), integrated into the Protein Platforms division and marketed under the R&D Systems brand. Operational sites are maintained in San Jose, California (instruments and consumables), Wallingford, Connecticut (CyVek/Simple Plex), and Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada (MFI and iCE). Bio-Techne's broader portfolio provides expanded distribution, cross-selling with adjacent spatial biology and proteomics brands, and access to GMP manufacturing services for therapeutic customers.
ProteinSimple firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ProteinSimple
- Legal name
- ProteinSimple
- Website
- https://proteinsimple.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- ProteinSimple designs automated protein characterization instruments, including Simple Western, iCE/Maurice, Simple Plex/Ella, Milo, and MFI platforms, for life sciences research and biopharmaceutical development. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bio-Techne Corporation, marketed under the R&D Systems brand.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ProteinSimple industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Life Sciences Instrumentation
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes) (HLAGAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- IVD Reagents, Assay Kits & Consumables (Non-instrument) (HLAHAAAM), Cell-Based & Potency Assays (Bioassays) (HLAGADAH)
Keywords
Where ProteinSimple is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Clara
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
ProteinSimple business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Instrument Sales: Sale of protein characterization instruments including Simple Western (Jess, Abby, Peggy Sue, Sally Sue, NanoPro 1000), Maurice/iCE platforms, Ella Simple Plex, MFI systems, Milo Single-Cell Western, and Pala single-cell dispenser. Instruments require quote-based purchasing through sales representatives.
- Consumables and Reagents: Recurring revenue from consumables, cartridges, kits, and reagents for all instrument platforms. Available for purchase online through rndsystems.com or by phone/fax/email.
- Software and Services: Instrument software, software updates, and technical support services. Software downloads available through Bio-Techne's instrument software download center.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Instrument pricing - Quote-based enterprise sales |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Consumables and reagents - Per unit pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
ProteinSimple product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ProteinSimple designs, manufactures, and sells automated protein characterization instruments and consumables for life sciences research and biopharmaceutical applications. Its portfolio includes Simple Western (automated capillary-based western blots), Imaged Capillary Electrophoresis (iCE/Maurice) for protein identity and purity, Simple Plex (Ella) automated immunoassays, Micro-Flow Imaging (MFI) for particle analysis, Milo Single-Cell Western, and the Pala single-cell dispenser. Recurring revenue is generated through proprietary consumables, assay kits, and reagent cartridges tied to each instrument platform.
Product overview
ProteinSimple, now operating as R&D Systems under Bio-Techne Corporation, offers a unified portfolio of protein characterization instruments and consumables. The core portfolio includes Simple Western (automated capillary electrophoresis for protein analysis), Imaged Capillary Electrophoresis/iCE Maurice (protein identity and purity assessment), Single-Cell Western/Milo (single-cell proteomics), Simple Plex/Ella (automated immunoassays), Single Cell Dispenser/Pala (cell isolation), and Micro-Flow Imaging/MFI (particle characterization). These instruments are supported by dedicated consumables, assay kits, software tools (Antibody Database, Kit Builder, Panel Builder), and instrument services. The company operates manufacturing sites in San Jose, CA (instruments and consumables), Wallingford, CT (CyVek/Simple Plex), and Etobicoke, ON (MFI and iCE).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Simple Western Automated capillary electrophoresis-based protein analysis system that provides protein quantity, identity, expression, and isoform data from a 3 µL sample in as little as 3 hours. Instruments include Jess, Leo, Abby, Peggy Sue, Sally Sue, and NanoPro 1000. Targeted at life sciences research and biopharma laboratories.
- Pala Single Cell Dispenser Fast, gentle, and easy single cell isolation instrument used by life sciences researchers to prepare single-cell samples.
- Maurice Imaged Capillary Electrophoresis (iCE) Therapeutic and purified protein identity, purity, and heterogeneity analysis platform with cIEF fractionation capability, completed in a day. Available as Maurice and MauriceFlex instruments for biopharma quality control and research use.
- Milo Single-Cell Western Single-cell western blot instrument that measures cell subpopulations in heterogeneous samples with western blot fidelity. Used by life sciences researchers for single-cell proteomics.
- Ella Simple Plex Immunoassays Benchtop automated ELISA platform for consistent biomarker detection, using custom multi-analyte immunoassay cartridges (up to 8 analytes). Targeted at research and biopharma biomarker workflows.
- Micro-Flow Imaging (MFI) Particle characterization system for detecting and analyzing aggregates or particles in vials, used for quality control in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Simple Western Consumables and Kits Recurring-revenue consumables line including assay kits, antibodies, reagents, and cartridges designed to run on Simple Western instruments. Includes the Simple Western Antibody Database and Kit Builder for assay design.
Quantifiable outcome
- Simple Western requires only 3 µL sample
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use ProteinSimple
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ProteinSimple technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
ProteinSimple partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ProteinSimple competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SCIEX (Danaher): SCIEX provides capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry instruments for protein characterization and biopharma QC, directly competing with ProteinSimple's Maurice/iCE platforms in therapeutic protein analysis.
- Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer Life Sciences): Revvity's Life Sciences segment includes immunoassay platforms (e.g., AlphaLISA, HTRF) and high-content imaging consumables, overlapping with ProteinSimple's Simple Plex/Ella automated ELISA and protein characterization consumables.
- Agilent Technologies: Agilent manufactures capillary electrophoresis systems (e.g., 7100 CE), bioanalyzers, and a broad analytical instrument portfolio used in protein characterization, biopharma QC, and life science research, directly competing with Maurice/iCE.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher's Analytical Instruments segment and life sciences tools (including immunoassay platforms and capillary electrophoresis) overlap with ProteinSimple's portfolio and reach biopharma and academic customers with a much broader product suite.
- Waters Corporation: Waters manufactures analytical laboratory instruments including liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and capillary electrophoresis systems used in biopharmaceutical protein analysis, overlapping with ProteinSimple's analytical instrument portfolio.
Emerging players
- 10x Genomics: 10x Genomics is a leading single-cell analysis platform (Chromium, Visium, Xenium), competing in adjacent single-cell biology markets where ProteinSimple positions Milo (single-cell Western) and Pala (single-cell sorter/dispenser).
Regional players
- Cytiva (Danaher): Cytiva (formerly GE Healthcare Life Sciences) supplies protein purification, bioprocessing, and analytical tools for biologics manufacturing, overlapping with ProteinSimple's biopharma QC and therapeutic protein characterization offerings in regulated manufacturing environments.
Direct peers
- LI-COR Biosciences: LI-COR manufactures Western blot and infrared imaging systems (Odyssey) for protein analysis in research, directly competing with ProteinSimple's Simple Western automated capillary electrophoresis-based western blot platform.
- Promega Corporation: Promega develops protein analysis reagents, cell-based assays, and bioluminescent detection tools used in life science research, with overlapping biopharma QC and protein characterization use cases served by ProteinSimple instruments.
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad offers protein analysis workflows including traditional western blot systems (ChemiDoc), droplet digital PCR, and capillary electrophoresis platforms, directly competing with ProteinSimple's Simple Western and Maurice instruments across life science research and biopharma QC.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ProteinSimple social profiles
Digital presenceProteinSimple compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
ProteinSimple financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ProteinSimple leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
ProteinSimple subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
ProteinSimple funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ProteinSimple M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ProteinSimple
What does ProteinSimple do?
ProteinSimple designs, manufactures, and sells automated protein characterization instruments and consumables for life sciences research and biopharmaceutical applications. Its portfolio includes Simple Western (automated capillary-based western blots), Imaged Capillary Electrophoresis (iCE/Maurice) for protein identity and purity, Simple Plex (Ella) automated immunoassays, Micro-Flow Imaging (MFI) for particle analysis, Milo Single-Cell Western, and the Pala single-cell dispenser. Recurring revenue is generated through proprietary consumables, assay kits, and reagent cartridges tied to each instrument platform.
Is ProteinSimple a public or private company?
ProteinSimple is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was ProteinSimple founded?
ProteinSimple was founded in 2001. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is ProteinSimple based?
ProteinSimple is headquartered in Santa Clara, United States, in the North America region.
How does ProteinSimple make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Instrument Sales are the primary driver. The others are consumables and Reagents and software and Services.
Who are ProteinSimple's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SCIEX (Danaher), Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer Life Sciences), Agilent Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Waters Corporation. 10x Genomics is listed as an emerging player. Cytiva (Danaher) is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are LI-COR Biosciences, Promega Corporation and Bio-Rad Laboratories.
Does ProteinSimple have an API?
No public API is recorded for ProteinSimple.
What industry is ProteinSimple in?
ProteinSimple's product category is Life Sciences Instrumentation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAI, Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes), with a secondary code of HLAHAAAM, IVD Reagents, Assay Kits & Consumables (Non-instrument). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.