Synple Chem
Synple Chem AG builds capsule-based automated chemical synthesizers and consumable reagent cartridges that let pharma and CRO drug discovery teams run reaction, work-up, and purification in a single enclosed instrument without manual synthesis expertise.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersKemptthal, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Synple Chem does
Synple Chem AG is a Switzerland-based (Kemptthal/Zurich) private company founded in 2016 as a spin-off from ETH Zürich, specializing in capsule-based automated chemical synthesis for drug discovery. Its core technology packages reagents, solvents, and purification materials into single-use, scannable, chip-enabled reagent cartridges covering eight reaction classes with more than 40 reagents, loaded into compact automated synthesizers (Synple 1, Synple 2, and the parallel Synple Unity) that perform reaction, work-up, and purification inside an enclosed reactor. The system is positioned as analogous to a capsule coffee machine: a user loads starting material and a cartridge, and a purified compound is produced in 5-10 minutes with claims of 70% lower cost per molecule and 90% less waste versus manual synthesis. In 2023, the company extended the platform with Synple 4.0 Discovery Platform, which uses machine learning to enumerate tractable virtual libraries of more than 7 x 10^12 compounds and bridges virtual screening hits with physical synthesis via integrations with Biosolveit, Hyperlab, CHEESE, Pharmacelera, Schrödinger, Fujitsu, OpenEye, and Alipheron.
The company sells automated synthesizers under a quote-based enterprise model across Europe, the UK, and the US, with a distributor channel being developed in Asia, and earns recurring revenue from single-use reagent cartridges (delivered within one week). Customers include pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi and AstraZeneca and contract research organizations such as BioBlocks, with use cases spanning PROTAC synthesis, N-heterocycle formation, reductive amination, and SnAP chemistry. Synple Chem was acquired by eMolecules Inc., a San Diego-based chemical search engine provider, in September 2024, combining its virtual compound library and automation with eMolecules' screening platform. The company operates with 1-10 employees, has minimal disclosed external funding (a 2016 Venture Kick tranche of $9,894), and does not publicly disclose revenue.
Synple Chem firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Synple Chem
- Legal name
- Synple Chem AG
- Website
- https://synplechem.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Synple Chem AG builds capsule-based automated chemical synthesizers and consumable reagent cartridges that let pharma and CRO drug discovery teams run reaction, work-up, and purification in a single enclosed instrument without manual synthesis expertise.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Synple Chem industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laboratory Automation Equipment
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AI/ML Platforms for Drug Discovery & Experiment Optimization (HLAGAJAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Library & Diversity Generation Platforms (display libraries, DNA-encoded libraries for biologics, variant libraries) (HLAAAIAL), Cheminformatics & Molecular Modeling / CADD (HLAGAJAE)
Keywords
Where Synple Chem is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kemptthal
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Synple Chem business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Automated synthesis instruments: Sale of Synple 1, Synple 2, and Synple Unity automated synthesis instruments to pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and research institutions. Lead time of four weeks for machine delivery.
- Reagent cartridges and consumables: Recurring revenue from single-use disposable reagent capsules (cartridges) covering eight reaction classes with more than 40 reagents. Cartridges are delivered within one week and are essential for each synthesis run.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Automated synthesizer (Synple 1, Synple 2, Synple Unity) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Synple Chem product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Synple Chem develops and sells capsule-based automated chemical synthesizers (Synple 1, Synple 2, Synple Unity) together with single-use, disposable reagent cartridges covering eight reaction classes. The hardware, software, and pre-optimized chemistry are bundled into one device that performs reaction, work-up, and purification autonomously, analogous to a capsule coffee maker, allowing drug discovery chemists to generate research compounds in 5–10 minutes without manual synthesis expertise.
Product overview
Synple Chem offers a suite of automated chemical synthesis products centered around capsule-based technology. The core product line includes Synple 1 (first generation, deployed 2018), Synple 2 (capsule-based synthesizer launched October 2019), and Synple Unity (parallel synthesizer). Synple 4.0 Discovery Platform bridges virtual compound libraries with automated synthesis, enabling hit validation from vast virtual libraries. The 3-in-1 solution combines hardware (automated synthesizers), software (reaction control and optimization), and optimized chemical processes (via reagent cartridges). Consumables include single-use reagent cartridges covering eight reaction classes with 40+ reagents, and Synple Reaction Kits for specific applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Synple 1: First generation automated synthesis device installed with customers since May 2018.
- Synple 2
- Synple 4.0
- Synple Unity
Products and services
- Synple 2 Compact capsule-based automated chemical synthesizer that performs reaction, work-up, and purification autonomously in 5–10 minutes per run for pharmaceutical and biotech drug discovery customers. Features a 25 x 35 cm footprint, fully enclosed reactor for safety, automated cleaning, and modifiable time and temperature parameters.
- Synple 1 First-generation automated chemical synthesis device from Synple Chem, deployed with customers since May 2018. Runs single reactions using the capsule-based reagent cartridge approach.
- Synple Unity
Quantifiable outcome
- 5x more efficient — 5-10 minutes per reaction vs. several hours manually
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Synple Chem
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Synple Chem technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature4 records
Synple Chem partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- eMolecules Inc.coreIn September 2024, Synple Chem was acquired by eMolecules Inc., a San Diego-based chemical search engine provider. The acquisition combines Synple's virtual compound library and automation solutions with eMolecules' platform, significantly expanding the available chemical space and research capabilities. As of the acquisition date, Synple Chem became part of the eMolecules group.
- Millipore-Sigma / Sigma-AldrichcoreMillipore-Sigma (Sigma-Aldrich) partnered with Synple Chem on a joint webinar (November 2023) presenting an overview of the SYNTHIA and Synple platforms and results of their collaboration on accelerating synthesis from synthesis path design to obtaining the molecule. This represents a significant go-to-market collaboration with a major life sciences supplier.
- Chemistry WorldminorChemistry World (a publication of the Royal Society of Chemistry) hosted a joint webinar with Synple Chem in October 2021 on automated capsule chemistry. This represents a media partnership for reach into the chemistry community.
- ETH Zürich (Prof. Jeffrey Bode group)coreSynple Chem originated as a spin-off from ETH Zürich. The company was founded on technology and research developed by Prof. Jeffrey Bode's group at ETH. Prof. Bode has been involved in multiple Synple Chem webinars and publications, including SnAP reagent chemistry.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Synple Chem competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AM Technology: UK-based specialist in flow chemistry and automated synthesis platforms for drug discovery and process chemistry. Direct competitor in lab automation hardware for medicinal chemistry applications.
- Unchained Labs: US-based life sciences tools company offering automated reaction screening and synthesis platforms (e.g., Freeslate-style automation) to pharma and biotech drug discovery. Direct competitor in workflow automation consumables.
- H.E.L Group: UK-based manufacturer of automated lab reactors and parallel synthesis tools for chemistry, pharma, and biotech R&D. Competes in the same automated synthesis hardware category as Synple's Synple 1/2/Unity line.
- Chemspeed Technologies: Swiss-based provider of automated synthesis and workflow platforms for pharma, biotech, and materials science. Competes head-to-head in automated chemical synthesis instrumentation with broader reaction-class coverage than Synple.
- Syrris: UK-based manufacturer of automated flow chemistry and batch synthesis reactors (e.g., Asia, Atlas) for pharma R&D. Comparable automated synthesis instrument vendor serving the same medicinal chemistry customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Biotage: Sweden-listed provider of lab instruments and consumables for medicinal chemistry, sample preparation, and purification (flash chromatography, peptide synthesis). Sells both hardware and consumables to the same pharma medicinal chemistry buyer.
- eMolecules: Parent company of Synple Chem since September 2024; a San Diego-based chemical search engine and compound sourcing marketplace serving pharma R&D. Directly comparable buyer base and complementary offering (virtual library + now physical synthesis).
Emerging players
- MolPort: Chemical sourcing marketplace and compound supplier serving pharma R&D. Adjacent to Synple's positioning as a compound access + synthesis platform; comparable buyer relationships.
- Enamine: Ukraine-based provider of building blocks, screening compounds, and custom synthesis services for drug discovery, with a focus on large virtual chemical libraries. Complementary to Synple's library-and-synthesis thesis and competing with Synple 4.0.
Regional players
- Asynt: UK-based supplier of laboratory tools and synthesis automation products (e.g., DrySyn, ReactoMate) for chemistry labs. Smaller, more UK-focused peer in the synthesis lab tools category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Synple Chem social profiles
Digital presenceSynple Chem financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Synple Chem leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Synple Chem funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Synple Chem M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Synple Chem
What does Synple Chem do?
Synple Chem develops and sells capsule-based automated chemical synthesizers (Synple 1, Synple 2, Synple Unity) together with single-use, disposable reagent cartridges covering eight reaction classes. The hardware, software, and pre-optimized chemistry are bundled into one device that performs reaction, work-up, and purification autonomously, analogous to a capsule coffee maker, allowing drug discovery chemists to generate research compounds in 5–10 minutes without manual synthesis expertise.
Is Synple Chem a public or private company?
Synple Chem is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Synple Chem founded?
Synple Chem was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Synple Chem based?
Synple Chem is headquartered in Kemptthal, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Synple Chem make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Automated synthesis instruments are the primary driver. The others are reagent cartridges and consumables.
Who are Synple Chem's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AM Technology, Unchained Labs, H.E.L Group, Chemspeed Technologies and Syrris. Broad incumbents are Biotage and eMolecules. Emerging players are MolPort and Enamine. Asynt is listed as a regional player.
Does Synple Chem have an API?
No public API is recorded for Synple Chem.
What industry is Synple Chem in?
Synple Chem's product category is Laboratory Automation Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAJAO, AI/ML Platforms for Drug Discovery & Experiment Optimization, with a secondary code of HLAAAIAL, Library & Diversity Generation Platforms (display libraries, DNA-encoded libraries for biologics, variant libraries). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3841.