Applied Biosystems
Applied Biosystems, a brand within Thermo Fisher Scientific's Life Sciences Solutions segment, provides genetic analysis instruments and consumables — qPCR, digital PCR (QuantStudio), Sanger sequencing, microarrays, and rapid DNA forensics — to research, biopharma, clinical, forensic, and agricultural customers globally.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersFoster City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Applied Biosystems does
Applied Biosystems is a genetic analysis brand within Thermo Fisher Scientific's Life Sciences Solutions segment, providing instruments, reagents, and software for PCR (qPCR and digital PCR), Sanger sequencing by capillary electrophoresis, microarray analysis, and rapid DNA forensic identification. Its product portfolio centers on the QuantStudio instrument platform, TaqMan real-time PCR assays, custom oligos/primers/probes, GeneArt gene synthesis services, and the RapidHIT ID system for human identification. Core technology spans molecular counting (digital PCR), real-time fluorescence-based qPCR with proprietary assay design algorithms, and trusted capillary electrophoresis sequencing. The brand was founded in 1987 under Perkin-Elmer as a pioneer of commercial PCR, passed through Applera Corporation and Life Technologies, and was acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2013 as part of the approximately $13.8 billion Life Technologies transaction.
The business model combines instrument sales (QuantStudio Absolute Q, Sanger CE systems, microarray platforms, RapidHIT ID) with high-margin recurring consumables revenue from TaqMan assays, oligos, primers, and probes, plus professional services for instrument qualification, training through Taq Academy, and Unity Lab Services support. Commercial motion is enterprise sales-led, leveraging Thermo Fisher Scientific's global direct sales force, direct eCommerce with Quick Order functionality, B2B eProcurement integration, and a dedicated Supply Center for consumables. Target verticals span research institutions, biopharma, clinical testing laboratories, forensics and law enforcement, reproductive health research, and agricultural biotechnology. Revenue is not separately disclosed and is consolidated under Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO), incorporated in Delaware, USA.
Distribution is global through Thermo Fisher's worldwide service and support infrastructure. The brand positions itself on accuracy, reproducibility, and 40+ years of scientific credibility, with proprietary trademarks (TaqMan, QuantStudio, GeneArt, RapidHIT, Applied Biosystems) reinforcing intangible asset value. Growth drivers include digital PCR adoption in clinical and biopharma workflows, expansion of microarray applications in pharmacogenomics and reproductive health, and recurring consumables pull-through from an expanding installed instrument base.
Applied Biosystems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Applied Biosystems
- Legal name
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
- Website
- https://appliedbiosystems.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Applied Biosystems, a brand within Thermo Fisher Scientific's Life Sciences Solutions segment, provides genetic analysis instruments and consumables — qPCR, digital PCR (QuantStudio), Sanger sequencing, microarrays, and rapid DNA forensics — to research, biopharma, clinical, forensic, and agricultural customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Applied Biosystems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Genetic Analysis Instruments and Reagents
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Medical Laboratories (621511), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/qPCR, NGS-based assays) (HLAAALAA), Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics) (HLAAALAD), Multiplex & High-Throughput Diagnostics Platforms (microarrays, digital PCR, lab automation-enabled assays) (HLAAALAL)
Keywords
Where Applied Biosystems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Foster City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Applied Biosystems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Genetic Analysis Instruments and Consumables: Sale of genetic analysis instruments including real-time PCR systems, digital PCR systems, Sanger sequencing systems, and microarray platforms along with associated consumables such as TaqMan assays, oligos, primers, and probes
- Instrument Services and Support: Technical service and support solutions for Applied Biosystems instruments backed by over 40 years of service expertise, including instrument qualification services and Unity Lab Services
- Training and Learning Services: Educational services including Taq Academy for qPCR and dPCR technology training, learning centers, and technical training resources
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Applied Biosystems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Applied Biosystems manufactures and sells genetic analysis instruments and consumables spanning real-time PCR (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR), Sanger sequencing by capillary electrophoresis, microarray analysis, and rapid DNA identification systems. The portfolio also includes TaqMan real-time PCR assays, custom oligos/primers/probes, and GeneArt gene synthesis, delivered with accompanying data analysis software, training, and instrument services to research, biopharma, clinical, forensic, and agricultural biotechnology customers.
Product overview
Applied Biosystems, a brand of Thermo Fisher Scientific, provides an extensive portfolio of genetic analysis solutions including real-time PCR (qPCR) with TaqMan assays, digital PCR systems (QuantStudio Absolute Q), Sanger sequencing by capillary electrophoresis, microarray analysis, and Rapid DNA forensic solutions. The platform offers a complete end-to-end workflow from foundational qPCR and microarray technologies to cutting-edge digital PCR innovations, serving research, biopharma, clinical testing, forensics, reproductive health, and agribusiness applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TaqMan: TaqMan Real-Time PCR Assays - gold standard real-time PCR chemistry for gene expression, SNP genotyping, and copy number variation analysis
- QuantStudio
- GeneArt
- RapidHIT
Products and services
- QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System Digital PCR instrument platform that uses molecular counting to deliver highly precise and sensitive results, supporting absolute quantification of differential gene expression and rare-allele detection for research and clinical customers.
- TaqMan Real-Time PCR Assays Real-time PCR assays and reagent chemistry providing accurate, highly reproducible results for gene expression, SNP genotyping, copy number variation, and other genetic testing and research applications.
- Oligos, Primers, Probes and Genes Custom-synthesized oligonucleotides, primers, probes, and gene products supplied to molecular biology researchers and assay developers for PCR, sequencing, and related workflows.
- GeneArt Gene Synthesis Custom DNA gene synthesis service producing designed sequences for research, cloning, protein expression, and biopharmaceutical development applications.
- Sanger Sequencing Systems Genetic analysis systems for Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis by capillary electrophoresis, used as a trusted standard across research and clinical workflows.
- Microarray Analysis Solutions Microarray platforms, tools, and arrays (including Axiom PharmacoPro and PangenomePro products) for cytogenetics, reproductive health research, and genotyping applications.
- Rapid DNA Solutions (RapidHIT ID System) Rapid DNA analysis system providing streamlined end-to-end forensic DNA workflows for human identification, criminal investigation, missing persons, and database-ready sample processing.
- Taq Academy Training and Learning Services Educational and certification services for qPCR and dPCR technologies, delivered through Taq Academy learning centers and training resources.
- Instrument Services and Support Technical service, qualification, maintenance, and support offerings for Applied Biosystems instruments, provided globally through Thermo Fisher Scientific's service organization.
Quantifiable outcome
- Highly precise and sensitive results for molecular counting applications
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Applied Biosystems
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Applied Biosystems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Applied Biosystems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Applied Biosystems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad is a direct competitor across qPCR, digital PCR (QX200 ddPCR), and clinical diagnostics, with overlapping product lines in life science research instruments and consumables. The ddPCR platform is Applied Biosystems' most direct head-to-head competitor to QuantStudio Absolute Q.
- QIAGEN: QIAGEN competes directly in molecular biology sample preparation, PCR reagents, and molecular diagnostics workflows. Their QIAcuity digital PCR system is a direct QuantStudio competitor, and their broader PCR/assay portfolio overlaps with Applied Biosystems' TaqMan franchise.
- Illumina: Illumina is the dominant next-generation sequencing platform provider and competes with Applied Biosystems across sequencing workflows. While Illumina focuses on NGS vs. Applied Biosystems' Sanger strength, both companies serve genetic analysis markets in research, clinical, and applied segments.
- Promega Corporation: Promega provides molecular biology reagents, PCR enzymes, and genetic analysis tools that compete with Applied Biosystems' TaqMan and GeneArt franchises. Both companies focus on life science research consumables and custom oligonucleotide/gene synthesis services.
Broad incumbents
- Roche Diagnostics: Roche operates the LightCycler qPCR platform and a broad molecular diagnostics portfolio that competes with Applied Biosystems in clinical qPCR. As a large diversified incumbent, Roche offers overlapping capabilities across the genetic analysis workflow from sample to result.
- Agilent Technologies: Agilent manufactures analytical laboratory instruments, genomics reagents (including SureSelect), and microarray platforms that overlap with Applied Biosystems' microarray and analytical instrument offerings. Both serve research and clinical molecular biology customers.
- Becton Dickinson (BD): BD operates in molecular diagnostics through BD MAX and BD FACSDiscover, with overlapping clinical qPCR and flow cytometry applications. The molecular diagnostics franchise competes with Applied Biosystems' clinical testing lab offerings.
- Danaher (Beckman Coulter, Cepheid): Danaher's Beckman Coulter and Cepheid subsidiaries offer molecular diagnostics and laboratory automation that overlap with Applied Biosystems' clinical testing segment. As a diversified life sciences conglomerate, Danaher competes across multiple Applied Biosystems end markets.
- PerkinElmer: PerkinElmer is the original parent of Applied Biosystems (founded 1987 as part of Perkin-Elmer) and now operates in life sciences, diagnostics, and analytical instruments. Direct overlap in genetic analysis, newborn screening, and applied genomics markets.
- Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer): Following the 2023 separation of PerkinElmer's food/environmental businesses, Revvity carries forward the life sciences and diagnostics portfolio including reagents, software, and applied genomics offerings that overlap with Applied Biosystems' research and clinical segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Applied Biosystems social profiles
Digital presenceApplied Biosystems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Applied Biosystems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Applied Biosystems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Applied Biosystems 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 Applied Biosystems
What does Applied Biosystems do?
Applied Biosystems manufactures and sells genetic analysis instruments and consumables spanning real-time PCR (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR), Sanger sequencing by capillary electrophoresis, microarray analysis, and rapid DNA identification systems. The portfolio also includes TaqMan real-time PCR assays, custom oligos/primers/probes, and GeneArt gene synthesis, delivered with accompanying data analysis software, training, and instrument services to research, biopharma, clinical, forensic, and agricultural biotechnology customers.
Is Applied Biosystems a public or private company?
Applied Biosystems is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Applied Biosystems founded?
Applied Biosystems was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Applied Biosystems based?
Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Applied Biosystems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Genetic Analysis Instruments and Consumables are the primary driver. The others are instrument Services and Support and training and Learning Services.
Who are Applied Biosystems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bio-Rad Laboratories, QIAGEN, Illumina and Promega Corporation. Broad incumbents are Roche Diagnostics, Agilent Technologies, Becton Dickinson (BD), Danaher (Beckman Coulter, Cepheid), PerkinElmer and Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer).
Does Applied Biosystems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Applied Biosystems.
What industry is Applied Biosystems in?
Applied Biosystems's product category is Genetic Analysis Instruments and Reagents. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAF, Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays), with a secondary code of HLAAALAA, Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/qPCR, NGS-based assays). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.