What BTX Online does

BTX Online is a Holliston, Massachusetts-based division of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBIO), founded in 1983, that designs and manufactures electroporation and electrofusion instruments and electrodes used by life science researchers and biomanufacturers. Its product portfolio centers on pulse-generation hardware, including the Gemini Twin Wave system, the AgilePulse platform, and the ECM 2001+ AC/DC combination unit, which generate proprietary electrical waveforms to transiently permeabilize cell membranes for transfection, fusion, or delivery of nucleic acids and other molecules. The company serves academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and translational research laboratories, with a growing footprint in regulated bioproduction environments.

The business monetizes instrument sales — typically capital equipment purchased by labs and process development groups — and supplements that with IQ/OQ field qualification services, a proprietary 1,000+ validated applications protocol database, and consumables such as electroporation cuvettes and specialized electrodes. BTX does not sell directly to most end users; instead, it routes commercial activity through three large life science distributors — Fisher Scientific, VWR, and Biochrom — and reaches customers in more than 40 countries. The 11–50 employee headcount is consistent with a focused instrument division rather than a standalone enterprise, and Harvard Bioscience provides shared R&D, regulatory, and corporate infrastructure.

Operationally, the division competes in a niche where incumbency, validated protocols, and distribution relationships matter more than scale or pricing power. The cGMP-oriented product line and IQ/OQ services reflect a deliberate, recent effort to move up-market from research-grade bench use into regulated biomanufacturing workflows, while the long-standing distributor network and broad product family support a long-tail of academic and small-biotech customers. No financial disclosures specific to BTX Online are published; revenue, growth, and unit volumes are reported only at the consolidated Harvard Bioscience level.

Name

BTX Online

Legal name

BTX, A DIVISION OF HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.

Website

https://btxonline.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BTX Online, a 1983-founded division of Harvard Bioscience (NASDAQ: HBIO) in Holliston, MA, designs and sells electroporation and electrofusion instruments, electrodes, and cGMP qualification services to academic, biotech, pharma, and biomanufacturing laboratories globally via Fisher Scientific, VWR, and Biochrom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Instruments / Life Science Research Equipment

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

mRNA & Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Services (mRNA/saRNA/Plasmid DNA) (HLAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Electroporation equipment
• Cell transfection systems
• Electrofusion instruments
• Life science instruments
• Gene delivery technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Holliston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electroporation/Electrofusion Systems: Sale of laboratory instruments including generators (ECM 830, ECM 630, ECM 2001+, Gemini X2, AgilePulse) and safety accessories. One-time capital equipment purchase model with 2-year warranties.
2. Accessories and Consumables: Ongoing revenue from cuvettes, electrodes, chambers, buffers, cables, and adapters. Consumable products like BTXpress media and Cuvette Plus cuvettes require recurring repurchase.
3. IQ/OQ Field Services: Validation services for regulatory compliance in bioprocessing and GMP environments. Professional services for installation qualification and operational qualification testing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BTX Online designs, manufactures, and sells electroporation and electrofusion instrument systems (generators such as ECM 2001+, Gemini Twin Wave, ECM 830, ECM 630, ECM 399, and AgilePulse) along with a broad line of dedicated electrodes, cuvettes, buffers, microinjection systems, and high-throughput / bioproduction platforms. The products are sold to life science research laboratories, academic institutions, and biotech/pharma companies for cell transfection, gene editing, hybridoma production, cell fusion, and embryo manipulation applications.

Product overview

BTX Online is a life sciences equipment company offering a comprehensive portfolio of electroporation, electrofusion, and transfection solutions. The core product line centers on electroporation generators including the ECM 2001+ (electrofusion and square wave), ECM 830 (square wave), ECM 630 (exponential decay), ECM 399 (exponential decay), and Gemini Twin Wave systems (combined square and exponential decay). Supporting these systems is a wide range of specialized electrodes (Tweezertrodes, Genetrodes, Petri Pulser, Petri Dish Electrode, Glass Microslides, Flat Electrode), consumables (BTX Cuvettes Plus, Buffers), and accessories (Safety Stands, Cables & Adapters). The company also provides High Throughput Electroporation Systems, Microinjection Systems, IQ/OQ Field Services for validation, and dedicated Electroporation Systems for Bioproduction (CGMP-compliant). BTX products enable applications including mammalian cell transfection, hybridoma production, CRISPR gene editing, cell fusion, embryo manipulation, and in vivo/in utero gene delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BTX: Electroporation, transfection and electrofusion solutions including ECM systems, electrodes, cuvettes, and accessories for life science research.

Products and services

• ECM 2001+ Electrofusion & Electroporation System Multi-purpose electrofusion and square wave electroporation generator combining AC and DC waveforms for cell fusion in hybridoma production, hybrid cell formation, nuclear transfer, and mammalian cell transfection. Features preset and user-defined protocols with up to 19 AC protocol steps, 1000+ protocol storage, and a 7-inch color touchscreen. CE, ETL, FCC, WEEE, EU RoHS, and CB Scheme certified.
• Gemini Twin Wave Electroporators Flexible electroporation systems combining square wave and exponential decay wave capabilities in a single unit for CRISPR, in vivo, in vitro, in ovo, and drug delivery applications. Available in X2, SC, HT, and Pulse Switcher configurations. Features 5-3000V voltage range, 7-inch touchscreen, arc protection with 4-way safety checks, and pre-pulse resistance measurement. CE, ETL, and EU RoHS certified.
• ECM 830 Square Wave Electroporation System Square wave electroporation system for mammalian cell transfection with adjustable voltage, pulse length, and multiple pulsing capabilities (1-99 pulses) supporting pulse lengths from 10 µs to 999 ms and voltage range 5-3000V. Designed for high cell viability and reagent-free transfection.
• ECM 630 Exponential Decay Wave Electroporation System Exponential decay wave electroporation system designed for efficient transfection of cells with variable capacitance and resistance settings. Provides controlled, non-toxic transfection without expensive reagents.
• ECM 399 Exponential Decay Wave Electroporation System Entry-level exponential decay wave electroporation system for basic transfection applications.
• AgilePulse Waveform Electroporation System Electroporation system with AgilePulse technology for large volume transfections and bioproduction applications.
• High Throughput Electroporation Systems Electroporation systems designed for high-throughput screening and multi-sample processing with 96-well plate compatibility.
• Electroporation Systems for Bioproduction cGMP-compliant electroporation systems designed for large-scale bioproduction and industrial transfection applications.
• Microinjection Systems Precision microinjection systems for direct intracellular delivery of molecules into cells.
• IQ/OQ Field Services Installation Qualification and Operational Qualification validation services to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for electroporation equipment in cGMP and bioprocessing environments.
• BTX Cuvettes Plus Sterile electroporation cuvettes available in multiple gap sizes (1mm, 2mm, 4mm) and volumes for use with all BTX electroporation systems.
• Buffers Specialized electroporation buffers including Cytofusion Medium C and Cytoporation Low Conductivity Medium for optimized cell fusion and transfection.
• Tweezertrodes Electrodes Reusable tweezer-style electrodes for in vivo, in utero, and ex vivo gene or drug delivery applications. Available in platinum (1-7mm diameter) and stainless steel (7-10mm diameter) variants.
• Petri Pulser Electroporation Applicator Reusable electrode applicator for electroporating adherent cells in 6-well plates or 35mm petri dishes without trypsinization. Features 13 gold-plated electrodes spaced 2mm apart.
• Petri Dish Electrode Electrode for electroporating adherent cells in 100mm petri dishes. Features 2mm gap with parallel stainless steel electrodes generating a homogeneous field.
• Glass Microslides Microscope-compatible electrodes for cell fusion and electroporation. Available in gap sizes of 0.5mm, 1.0mm, 3.2mm, and 10mm for various applications including hybridoma production and embryo manipulation.
• Genetrodes Reusable Electrodes Paired needle-style electrodes for in vivo, ex vivo, and in ovo gene delivery. Available in straight (5mm, 10mm) and L-shaped (1mm, 3mm, 5mm) configurations with gold tips. Reported 30-fold higher expression than Lipofectin in mouse cornea studies.
• Flat Electrode Versatile electrode for both electroporation and electro cell fusion. Can generate divergent field (grooved orientation) for fusion or homogeneous field (flat orientation) for electroporation.
• Safety Stands for Cuvettes & Chambers Safety equipment ensuring safe delivery of high voltage electrical pulses to cuvettes and chambers. Includes safety domes, adjustable gap stands, and flatpack safety stands.
• AgilePulse Large Volume Chamber Large volume electroporation chamber with 6mm gap for processing up to 5ml sample volumes in bioproduction applications.
• Cables & Adapters Connection cables and adapters for linking BTX electroporation systems to various electrodes and chambers, including banana plug cables, micrograbber adapters, and safety connectors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Transformation efficiency of 2 to 6 x 10^3 transformants per µg of exogenous DNA achievable with Chlamydomonas
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Harvard Bioscience, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBTX is a division of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. Harvard Bioscience is the parent company providing corporate infrastructure, global distribution network, and shared brand portfolio including Biochrom, HEKA, Multi Channel Systems, CMA, DSI, Hugo Sachs Elektronik, Panlab, and Warner instruments.
• BiochromcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBiochrom serves as the primary authorized distributor for BTX products in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Located at Cambourne Business Park, Cambridge, UK. Contact: +44 1223 423723 or [email protected].
• Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher Scientific)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor global distributor network for BTX products across US, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and other markets.
• VWR InternationalmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal laboratory supplies distributor serving as channel partner for BTX products across Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lonza: Lonza's cell and gene therapy manufacturing services and equipment offerings overlap with BTX's bioproduction electroporation systems in cGMP therapeutic manufacturing and large-volume transfection workflows.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Through the Neon Transfection System and broader life sciences portfolio, Thermo Fisher competes in electroporation while also serving as BTX's largest distributor via Fisher Scientific—a dual competitor-and-channel dynamic.
• MilliporeSigma (Merck KGaA): MilliporeSigma supplies broad life science consumables and equipment including electroporation reagents and systems, competing with BTX across buffers, cuvettes, and gene delivery workflows in research and bioproduction.
• Eppendorf: Eppendorf offers broader life science lab equipment including electroporation-capable systems and consumables, overlapping with BTX in cell biology and transfection workflows at academic and biotech customers.

Direct peers

• Celetrix: Celetrix manufactures electroporation devices and reagents for research and clinical applications, including viral vector production and CRISPR delivery, competing directly with BTX's in vitro and in vivo gene delivery portfolio.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad's Gene Pulser and electroporation product lines directly compete with BTX's ECM systems in research and bioproduction transfection markets, serving the same academic and biotech customers with overlapping waveform offerings.
• Nepa Gene: Nepa Gene is a Japanese specialist in electroporation and sonoporation instruments and electrodes, competing with BTX in in vivo gene delivery and tissue-specific transfection applications globally.
• MaxCyte: MaxCyte develops electroporation-based transfection systems (e.g., ExPERT) for cell therapy and bioprocessing, overlapping with BTX's Gemini and AgilePulse lines in cGMP transfection of difficult-to-transfect cell types.
• Bulldog Bio: Bulldog Bio distributes and supports niche electroporation tools, competing with BTX in the molecular biology and cell biology research market with similar direct-to-lab go-to-market channels.

Emerging players

• Mirus Bio: Mirus Bio specializes in nucleic acid transfection reagents and electroporation buffers, intersecting with BTX's consumables portfolio and serving overlapping gene therapy and cell engineering researchers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMpvBw1UYxcYpKXWkA10x4g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/harvardbioscience

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 BTX Online