What Tempo Bioscience does

Tempo Bioscience is a San Francisco-based, privately held biotechnology company founded in 2013 that develops and sells human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell products, proprietary biosensor assays, and exosome-based biotech ingredients. Its core technology is an in-house proprietary iPSC platform that directs differentiation into 25+ specialized human cell lineages (neurons, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, astrocytes, kidney cells, retinal pigment epithelium, etc.) and 3D organoid/spheroid models (iHep3D liver, iKidneyPod kidney) without primary tissue harvesting. Complementary biosensor assays (TempoATP, TempoCAL, TempoMito, TempoO2, TempoVOL) measure cellular metabolism, calcium signaling, mitochondrial function, oxygen consumption, and membrane potential for drug discovery applications. A second business line, branded TempoOmes, leverages the same iPSC platform to produce lab-generated human exosomes (TempoOmes-iMSC, TempoOmes-iMK) as ingredients for the regenerative skincare market.

The company generates revenue primarily through direct, transactional e-commerce sales of catalog research products priced individually on its website, supplemented by bespoke assay development services and cGMP manufacturing partnerships. Customers span four horizontal segments: academic and nonprofit research institutions, venture-backed biotech firms, multinational biopharmaceutical organizations, and personal care companies; Tempo cites relationships with more than 1,000 such organizations globally. Pricing follows a one-time/perpetual license model with pay-as-you-go billing, and products are shipped Ex Works from the San Francisco headquarters. The company is self-described as cash-positive, privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, and operates with 11–50 employees under founder and president Angela L. Huang. Distribution is conducted through two owned e-commerce storefronts (tempobioscience.com for research tools; omes.tempobioscience.com for personal care ingredients) plus direct sales engagement for enterprise and cGMP clients, supported by content marketing, scientific publications, and conference participation as primary demand-generation channels.

Name

Tempo Bioscience

Legal name

Tempo Bioscience, Inc.

Website

https://tempobioscience.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tempo Bioscience is a privately held San Francisco biotech that sells proprietary human iPSC-derived cells, biosensor assays, and exosome ingredients directly via its website to academic, biopharma, and personal care customers across 1,000+ accounts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Stem Cell Research Products

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

In Vitro Model Systems & Organoid Platforms (iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems) (HLAAAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies (HLAAAGAA), Cell-Based & Potency Assays (Bioassays) (HLAGADAH), Bio-based Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals & Specialty Bioactives (EUAAAIAK)

Keywords

• IPSC-derived cell products
• Biosensor assay kits
• 3D organoid models
• Exosome biotech ingredients
• Drug discovery tools

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. iPSC-Derived Cell Products: Sale of human iPSC-derived cell types including neurons, hepatocytes, astrocytes, cardiomyocytes, and other specialized cells for research applications. Products are sold directly through the website with prices listed on the product pages.
2. Biosensor Assays and Reagents: Proprietary biosensor assay kits including TempoATP, TempoCAL, TempoMito, TempoO2, and TempoVOL for detecting cellular metabolism and function parameters in drug discovery research.
3. Cell Culture Solutions: Cell medium products, assay reagents, and conditioned media for supporting cell culture and research applications.
4. TempoOmes Exosome Ingredients: Sale of exosome-based biotech ingredients (TempoOmes-iMSC, TempoOmes-iMK) as advanced biotechnology ingredients for personal care formulations in the skincare industry.
5. Bespoke Assay Services: Custom assay development and partnership services for tailored live-cell imaging and biosensor assay development based on customer-specific requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tempo Bioscience manufactures and sells proprietary human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell products, biosensor assay kits, and exosome-based biotech ingredients. Its portfolio includes 30+ specialized human cell types (neurons, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, etc.) and 5 biosensor assays for drug discovery. The company also offers TempoOmes exosome ingredients for personal care and bespoke assay development services.

Product overview

Tempo Bioscience is a product-focused biotechnology company offering two interconnected platform portfolios. The first platform consists of proprietary biosensor assays (TempoATP™, TempoCAL™, TempoMito™, TempoO2™, TempoVOL™) and a comprehensive catalog of 30+ human iPSC-derived cell products (including iCardio™, iCort™, iHep3D™, iKidneyPod™, iBMEC™, iRPE™, and others) for disease modeling and drug discovery applications. The second platform, branded as TempoOmes™ under the OMES division, provides exosome-based biotech ingredients (TempoOmes™-iMSC, TempoOmes™-iMK) for the personal care and regenerative skincare industry. Supporting offerings include TempoStemBank™ for disease models, Cell Culture Solutions (media, reagents, conditioned media), and research services including Bespoke Assays and Assay Partnerships. The company operates from San Francisco, CA and serves academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and personal care organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TempoATP™ Biosensor assay for detecting and measuring ATP metabolism in cells, used for cellular metabolism studies and drug discovery applications.
• TempoCAL™ Calcium biosensor assay for measuring calcium signaling and dynamics in cellular studies.
• TempoMito™ Mitochondrial biosensor assay for evaluating mitochondrial function, health, and dysfunction in cellular models.
• TempoO2™ Oxygen metabolism biosensor assay for measuring cellular oxygen consumption and metabolic activity.
• TempoVOL™ Cationic voltage biosensor assay for detecting and measuring changes in cellular membrane potential.
• iAstro™ (Astrocytes) Human iPSC-derived astrocytes for neuroscience research and disease modeling applications.
• iBMEC™ (Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells) Human iPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells for blood-brain barrier modeling and neurovascular research.
• iCardio™ (Cardiomyocytes) Human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for cardiac disease modeling, drug toxicity screening, and cardiovascular research.
• iCort™ (Cortical Neurons) Human iPSC-derived cortical neurons for studying cortical brain function and neurological diseases.
• iDopaNer™ (Dopaminergic Neurons) Human iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons for Parkinson's disease research and related neurological applications.
• iHep3D™ (Hepatocytes) Human iPSC-derived hepatocytes for liver disease modeling, drug metabolism, and hepatotoxicity studies.
• iHepStellate™ (Hepatic Stellate) Human iPSC-derived hepatic stellate cells for liver fibrosis research and studies of hepatic tissue interactions.
• iHepStellate™-iKupffer™-iLSEC™-iHep3D™ 3D Organoid Comprehensive 3D liver organoid model combining multiple iPSC-derived liver cell types for advanced disease modeling and drug testing.
• iKer™ (Keratinocytes) Human iPSC-derived keratinocytes for skin biology research, wound healing studies, and dermatological applications.
• iKidneyPod™ (Kidney Proximal Tubules and Podocyte 3D Spheroids) Human iPSC-derived kidney model combining proximal tubules and podocytes as 3D spheroids for nephrotoxicity evaluation and kidney disease modeling.
• iKupffer™ (Kupffer Cells) Human iPSC-derived Kupffer cells (liver macrophages) for immunology and hepatotoxicity research.
• iLSEC™ (Liver Sinusoidal Endothelials) Human iPSC-derived liver sinusoidal endothelial cells for modeling liver vasculature and hepatic function.
• iMel™ (Melanocytes) Human iPSC-derived melanocytes for pigmentation research and skin biology studies.
• iMG™ (Microglia) Human iPSC-derived microglia for neuroinflammation research and CNS disease modeling.
• iMono™ (CD14+ Monocytes) Human iPSC-derived CD14+ monocytes for immunology research and immune cell studies.
• iMotorNer™ (Motor Neurons) Human iPSC-derived motor neurons for ALS research and neuromuscular disease modeling.
• iMSC™ (Mesenchymal) Human iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative medicine research and stromal cell studies.
• iNStem™ (Neural Progenitor) Human iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells for neurodevelopment studies and neural differentiation research.
• iOligo™ (Oligodendrocyte Progenitor) Human iPSC-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells for myelination studies and demyelinating disease research.
• iOsteo™ (Osteoblasts) Human iPSC-derived osteoblasts for bone biology research, osteoporosis studies, and skeletal disease modeling.
• iPeri™ (Pericytes) Human iPSC-derived pericytes for vascular biology and blood-brain barrier research.
• iPhago™ (Phagocytes) Human iPSC-derived phagocytes for immunology and immune cell function studies.
• iRPE™ (Retinal Pigment Epithelials) Human iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells for eye disease modeling, AMD research, and visual system studies.
• iSchwann™ (Schwann Cells) Human iPSC-derived Schwann cells for peripheral neuropathy research and nerve regeneration studies.
• iSenso™ (Sensory Neurons) Human iPSC-derived sensory neurons for pain research and sensory system disease modeling.
• TempoOmes™-iMSC (Human-induced Mesenchymal-derived Exosomes) Lab-generated human exosomes derived from iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells, designed as biotech ingredients for regenerative skincare formulations targeting anti-aging and skin rejuvenation applications.
• TempoOmes™-iMK (Human-induced Megakaryocytes-derived Exosomes) Bioactive exosomes derived from iPSC-generated megakaryocytes for personal care ingredient applications, featuring platelet-linked biology with growth factors and signaling molecules for skin repair and regeneration.
• TempoStemBank™ Disease models and iPSC derivative cell type banking service providing researchers access to standardized human cell models for drug discovery and preclinical studies.
• Cell Culture Solutions Supporting product line including cell medium products, assay reagents, and conditioned media for optimal culture and maintenance of iPSC-derived cells.
• Bespoke Assays Custom assay development services tailored to specific research needs and drug discovery requirements, including tailored live-cell imaging and biosensor assay development.
• Assay Partnerships Collaborative assay development partnerships offering access to Tempo's advanced technological platforms for joint research projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of clinical drug development fails, with 40-50% of failures attributed to lack of clinical efficacy - Tempo's human-relevant models help address this gap
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Academic Research InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTempo partners with academic institutions providing human iPSC-derived cell models and biosensor assays for disease research and drug discovery studies. The company supports academic researchers with products, technical resources, and scientific publications.
• Venture-backed Biotech CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with emerging biotech companies requiring patient-relevant stem cell models for drug discovery programs, preclinical studies, and early-stage clinical development support.
• Multinational Biopharmaceutical OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborations with large pharmaceutical companies for advanced cellular models and assay services across diverse therapeutic and diagnostic areas in preclinical research and drug development pipelines.
• Personal Care CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with personal care brands for co-development of bespoke human cell-based exosome ingredients for innovative anti-aging and skin rejuvenation product formulations.
• Assay Partnership ClientsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBespoke assay development partnerships offering tailored live-cell imaging and biosensor assay development services based on advanced technological platforms and customer-specific requirements.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Reprocell: Provides iPSC-derived cells, reagents, and custom assay services for drug discovery. Overlaps with Tempo on iPSC-derived differentiated cells and bespoke assay service offerings for pharmaceutical clients.
• ATCC: Global biological resource center providing authenticated cell lines, iPSC-derived models, and cell culture reagents. Competes directly with Tempo in standardized human cell models for academic and industrial research.
• Axol Bioscience: Specialist in iPSC-derived human cell models, particularly for neuroscience and cardiovascular research. Closely comparable to Tempo's neural and cardiac cell offerings and serves a similar pharma/biotech preclinical customer base.
• Stemcell Technologies: Major provider of cell culture media, reagents, and primary/iPSC-derived cells for life science research. Comparable product mix in cell culture reagents and a global distribution footprint similar to Tempo's research product line.
• FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics International: Leading commercial supplier of iPSC-derived cells and differentiation kits for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Most direct competitor to Tempo's iPSC-derived cell catalog with overlapping cell types and pharma/biotech customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Lonza: Global CDMO with cell and gene therapy manufacturing services and iPSC-related offerings. Comparable in cell manufacturing capability and pharma partnerships, though at significantly larger scale and scope.
• Evotec: Drug discovery services provider with significant iPSC-based platform capabilities and custom assay offerings. Comparable in bespoke assay services and iPSC-based drug discovery partnerships, though at substantially larger scale.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Diversified life science tools leader offering Gibco media, primary and iPSC-derived cell lines, and biosensor/instrument platforms. Competes broadly across Tempo's product portfolio as a much larger, multi-category incumbent.
• Bio-Techne: Established provider of reagents, assay kits, and cell culture products including iPSC-related tools. Overlaps with Tempo's biosensor assays and supporting cell culture reagents at much greater scale and breadth.

Emerging players

• Mogrify: Emerging cell conversion company using proprietary iPSC-related technology to produce differentiated cell types. Comparable niche focus on iPSC-derived cell technologies but with a different methodological approach and earlier stage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tempo-bioscience-inc
• Xx.com/tempobioscience

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Tempo Bioscience