Cytosurge
Cytosurge AG is a Zurich-based Swiss biotech that commercializes patented FluidFM (Fluidic Force Microscopy) technology and the CellEDIT CRISPR cell line engineering service, serving academic and pharmaceutical researchers performing single-cell injection, extraction, and editing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cytosurge does
Cytosurge AG is a privately held Swiss biotechnology company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Zurich, that commercializes the patented FluidFM (Fluidic Force Microscopy) technology invented at ETH Zurich. FluidFM integrates atomic force microscopy with microfluidics through hollow, force-sensitive cantilever probes with apertures down to 300 nm, enabling sub-picoliter liquid handling, injection, extraction, and adhesion measurement at the single-cell level while preserving cell viability.
The company's commercial portfolio centers on two FluidFM system formats — the standalone semi-automated FluidFM OMNIUM platform and the FluidFM ADD-ON module that extends Bruker and Nanosurf AFM systems — together with a proprietary probe consumables line (Nanosyringe, Nanopipette, Micropipette) and ARYA operating software. On top of this hardware layer, Cytosurge operates the CellEDIT custom CRISPR cell line engineering service, which uses direct intra-nuclear CRISPR-Cas9 delivery via FluidFM to deliver monoclonal, vector-free edited mammalian cell lines in ten weeks, and the Live-seq temporal transcriptomics workflow, which pairs cytoplasmic biopsy extraction with Lexogen's RNA library prep to profile single-cell gene expression without killing the cell.
Cytosurge sells to academic research institutions and pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies through an enterprise field-sales motion supplemented by channel partners (Bruker, Nanosurf, Olympus) and regional distributors (Altium International for US & Canada, Cenibra GmbH for Europe), and lists its CellEDIT service on the scientist.com marketplace. Hardware, consumables, and professional services revenue streams are quote-based, with the probe consumables and service/recurring contracts forming a growing annuity-like layer on top of lumpy instrument placements across 140+ global installations.
Cytosurge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cytosurge
- Legal name
- Cytosurge AG
- Website
- https://cytosurge.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cytosurge AG is a Zurich-based Swiss biotech that commercializes patented FluidFM (Fluidic Force Microscopy) technology and the CellEDIT CRISPR cell line engineering service, serving academic and pharmaceutical researchers performing single-cell injection, extraction, and editing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cytosurge industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Single-Cell Manipulation Instruments
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation (Pipettes, Robots, Workstations) (HLAGAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)
Keywords
Where Cytosurge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cytosurge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- FluidFM Systems (OMNIUM & ADD-ON): Sale of hardware instruments - the FluidFM OMNIUM standalone platform and FluidFM ADD-ON modules for third-party AFM systems. Includes associated software (ARYA software) for force control and workflow management.
- CellEDIT Service (CRISPR Cell Line Engineering): Custom CRISPR cell line engineering service delivered via direct intra-nuclear injection using FluidFM technology. Provides knockout, knock-in, and multiplex editing services with guaranteed deliverables in 10 weeks. Includes gRNA design, clone generation, and quality control reporting.
- FluidFM Probes & Consumables: Sale of FluidFM probe consumables including Nanosyringes, Nanopipettes, Micropipettes, and biopsy kits. Probes come in various specifications and are tailored to specific AFM systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | CellEDIT Custom CRISPR Cell Line Engineering - quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cytosurge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cytosurge develops and manufactures the patented FluidFM (Fluidic Force Microscopy) technology, which combines atomic force microscopy with microfluidics through hollow force-sensitive probes. The company sells the FluidFM OMNIUM standalone single-cell manipulation platform, the FluidFM ADD-ON module for third-party AFM systems, and a line of specialized FluidFM probes (Nanosyringe, Nanopipette, Micropipette). It also delivers the CellEDIT service for custom CRISPR cell line engineering via direct intra-nuclear delivery.
Product overview
Cytosurge offers a platform-based product portfolio centered on the FluidFM (Fluidic Force Microscopy) technology, which combines atomic force microscopy with microfluidics for single-cell manipulation. The core product is the FluidFM OMNIUM standalone platform, complemented by the FluidFM ADD-ON for integration with existing AFM systems. The product line includes specialized probes (Nanosyringe, Micropipette, Nanopipette) designed for different applications. Cytosurge provides the CellEDIT Service for custom CRISPR cell line engineering, and the FluidFM Biopsy Solution for temporal single-cell profiling using Live-seq technology. These products enable researchers to perform gentle single-cell injection, extraction, and manipulation while maintaining cell viability for applications in CRISPR gene editing, temporal transcriptomics, and mechanobiology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CellEDIT: CRISPR Cell Line Engineering Service offering direct intra-nuclear delivery for precision gene editing
- Live-seq
- FluidFM
- FluidFM OMNIUM
- FluidFM ADD-ON
Products and services
- FluidFM OMNIUM Platform Semi-automated standalone single-cell manipulation system combining atomic force microscopy with microfluidics for non-destructive injection, extraction, adhesion measurement, and pick-and-place of individual cells. Integrates Olympus IX83 microscope with environmental control (temperature/CO2) and up to 8 fluorescence filter sets.
- FluidFM ADD-ON Add-on module that extends existing Bruker and Nanosurf AFM systems with FluidFM microfluidic capabilities for single-cell force spectroscopy, nanoprinting, and bacterial adhesion measurement. Compatible with Bruker BioScope Resolve, JPK NanoWizard, CellHesion, ForceRobot, Nanosurf CoreAFM, FlexAFM, and DriveAFM platforms.
- FluidFM Nanosyringe
Quantifiable outcome
- Deliver edited monoclonal cell lines in 10 weeks
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Cytosurge
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cytosurge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability3 records
Feature5 records
Cytosurge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional, major and legacy.
- LexogencorePartnership for RNA analysis workflow integration with Live-seq technology. Lexogen provides the LUTHOR HD kit for high-definition single-cell 3' mRNA-seq library prep based on THOR technology for direct RNA amplification. Combined offering enables streamlined commercial workflow for Live-seq cytoplasmic biopsy collection and analysis.
- Altium International Inc.regionalRegional distribution partnership started in 2024 covering US and Canada markets for FluidFM products and services.
- Cenibra GmbHregionalEuropean distribution partnership started in 2023 for FluidFM product distribution in covered territories.
- Harvard's Wyss InstitutemajorCollaboration to investigate CRISPR-based approaches for more effective introduction of multiple edits into single cells while minimizing CRISPR-related toxicity. Focus on multiplex gene editing research.
- Olympus Europe / Olympus AmericamajorPartnership to deliver complete single-cell and CRISPR genetic manipulation solutions. Olympus provides microscopy expertise complementing FluidFM technology for integrated single-cell solutions.
- BrukercorePremium partnership for distribution of FluidFM ADD-ON module compatible with Bruker BioScope Resolve, JPK NanoWizard, CellHesion, and ForceRobot AFM families. Bruker commercializes the FluidFM technology as an accessory for their bioAFM systems.
- JPK InstrumentslegacyPartnership (now part of Bruker) for FluidFM integration with JPK AFM systems including NanoWizard, CellHesion, and ForceRobot families.
- NanosurfcoreLong-standing partnership for FluidFM ADD-ON distribution with Nanosurf CoreAFM, FlexAFM, and DriveAFM systems. Nanosurf provides FluidFM as an add-on capability for their AFM platforms.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cytosurge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Carl Zeiss Microscopy: Major microscopy and imaging incumbent serving life science research customers. The FluidFM OMNIUM platform is built on an Olympus IX83 microscope, indicating overlap in customer workflows requiring combined microscopy and manipulation.
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Sequencing technology provider whose long-read platforms could be combined with FluidFM-derived samples. Both companies serve genomics and transcriptomics research customers at the intersection of novel sample prep and analysis.
- Bruker: Major AFM and life science tools incumbent that distributes Cytosurge's FluidFM ADD-ON module for its BioScope Resolve, JPK NanoWizard, CellHesion, and ForceRobot AFM systems. Bruker operates broadly across scientific instruments whereas Cytosurge specializes in single-cell manipulation.
- Leica Microsystems (Danaher): Microscopy and imaging provider serving life science research. Overlaps with Cytosurge in integrated microscope-based single-cell workflows and competes for budget allocation within core imaging facilities.
- Standard BioTools (formerly Fluidigm): Established single-cell biology tools provider with mass cytometry and microfluidic chip platforms. Targets similar academic and pharma customers for cell characterization and manipulation workflows.
- 10x Genomics: Dominant single-cell genomics platform provider whose Chromium system competes conceptually with Cytosurge's Live-seq for transcriptomic profiling applications, though with fundamentally different technology.
Direct peers
- Nanosurf: Swiss-based AFM manufacturer and long-standing Cytosurge channel partner. Both companies serve the bio-AFM research market with complementary products; Nanosurf provides the AFM platforms while Cytosurge provides FluidFM add-on capabilities for single-cell applications.
- Sphere Fluidics: Single-cell analysis and manipulation company offering picodroplet technology for cell isolation and analysis. Both companies address the single-cell biology research market with complementary platforms for manipulating and analyzing individual cells.
Emerging players
- Mission Bio: Single-cell DNA and multi-omics analysis company serving pharma/biotech customers for cell line development and oncology applications. Overlaps with CellEDIT's pharma customer base in cell line characterization workflows.
- Parse Biosciences: Single-cell sequencing company offering scalable single-cell RNA-seq without microfluidics. Competes with Live-seq for temporal transcriptomics customers but with a fundamentally different sample preparation approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cytosurge social profiles
Digital presenceCytosurge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cytosurge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Cytosurge subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Cytosurge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cytosurge 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 Cytosurge
What does Cytosurge do?
Cytosurge develops and manufactures the patented FluidFM (Fluidic Force Microscopy) technology, which combines atomic force microscopy with microfluidics through hollow force-sensitive probes. The company sells the FluidFM OMNIUM standalone single-cell manipulation platform, the FluidFM ADD-ON module for third-party AFM systems, and a line of specialized FluidFM probes (Nanosyringe, Nanopipette, Micropipette). It also delivers the CellEDIT service for custom CRISPR cell line engineering via direct intra-nuclear delivery.
Is Cytosurge a public or private company?
Cytosurge is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cytosurge founded?
Cytosurge was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cytosurge based?
Cytosurge is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Cytosurge make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. FluidFM Systems (OMNIUM & ADD-ON) is the primary driver. The others are cellEDIT Service (CRISPR Cell Line Engineering) and fluidFM Probes & Consumables.
Who are Cytosurge's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Carl Zeiss Microscopy, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Bruker, Leica Microsystems (Danaher), Standard BioTools (formerly Fluidigm) and 10x Genomics. Direct peers are Nanosurf and Sphere Fluidics. Emerging players are Mission Bio and Parse Biosciences.
Does Cytosurge have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cytosurge.
What industry is Cytosurge in?
Cytosurge's product category is Single-Cell Manipulation Instruments. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAD, Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation (Pipettes, Robots, Workstations), with a secondary code of HLAGAIAE, Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments. Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3845.