Primer Design
Primer Design Limited is a UK-based molecular diagnostics company (subsidiary of Novacyt Group) that designs, validates, and manufactures over 1,200 real-time qPCR assays and reagents for pathogen detection, serving 1,000+ customers across human healthcare, animal health, and food/water testing in 100+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersChandlers Ford, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Primer Design does
Primer Design Limited is a UK-based molecular diagnostics company founded in 2004 and headquartered in Manchester, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novacyt Group. The company designs, validates, and manufactures real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays and reagents for pathogen and genetic target detection, with a catalog of more than 1,200 molecular assays across bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, food speciation, and antibiotic resistance targets. Core branded product lines include the genesig qPCR assay family (offered in Easy, Standard, Advanced, and Complete formats), Precision FAST and Precision PLUS master mixes, oasig lyophilised master mixes, genesigPLEX multiplex assays, SNPsig genotyping kits, and AnimalFINDER speciation kits; the company also sells extraction kits, magnetic racks, qPCR plates, pipettes, and instrumentation, and offers OEM and custom assay development services.
The company serves three primary verticals — Human Healthcare (diagnostic labs, genetic testing hubs, outbreak surveillance), Animal & Veterinary (livestock screening, companion animal testing, equine health), and Food, Water & Agriculture (food safety, aquaculture, environmental monitoring) — supplying more than 1,000 customers in over 100 countries. Distribution is primarily direct via a multi-region e-commerce platform (GB, EU, and US stores) supported by an international courier shipping operation and a local distributor network in non-direct territories. Manufacturing is conducted under ISO 13485:2012 and ISO 9001:2008 certified quality management systems, supporting the diagnostic-grade positioning of the reagent portfolio. Revenue is generated predominantly through one-time consumable sales (assays, master mixes, extraction kits) and OEM/custom assay development services, with headcount stated in the 11-50 employee range.
Primer Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Primer Design
- Legal name
- Primer Design Limited
- Website
- https://primerdesign.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Primer Design Limited is a UK-based molecular diagnostics company (subsidiary of Novacyt Group) that designs, validates, and manufactures over 1,200 real-time qPCR assays and reagents for pathogen detection, serving 1,000+ customers across human healthcare, animal health, and food/water testing in 100+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Primer Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Molecular Diagnostics
- NAICS
- In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/NAAT/NGS-based IVD) (HLAHAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/qPCR, NGS-based assays) (HLAAALAA), Multiplex & High-Throughput Diagnostics Platforms (microarrays, digital PCR, lab automation-enabled assays) (HLAAALAL), Rapid On-Site Environmental Testing Kits & Instruments (Lateral Flow, PCR, ATP Devices) (AFALAEAK), Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)
Keywords
Where Primer Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chandlers Ford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Primer Design 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
- qPCR Assay Products: Sale of real-time PCR detection kits and assays for pathogen detection across human healthcare, animal & veterinary, and food/water/agriculture sectors. Products sold in multiple formats (Easy, Standard, Advanced, Complete) at varying price points.
- Mastermix Reagents: Sale of PCR master mixes including PrecisionFAST, PrecisionPLUS, oasig, and oasigPLUS products in various volumes and configurations for use in customer laboratories.
- OEM Solutions and Custom Assay Development: Custom assay development services and OEM-ready, end-to-end qPCR kits for partners requiring tailored molecular diagnostic solutions.
- Instrumentation: Sale of qPCR instrumentation and related equipment for molecular diagnostic workflows.
- Extraction and Reagent Consumables: Sale of extraction kits, reagents, and consumables including the genesig Easy DNA/RNA Extraction Kit, carrier RNA, elution buffers, and other laboratory supplies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | qPCR Detection Kits - Standard pricing range |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | genesig qPCR Assays |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PrecisionFAST Master Mix |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PrecisionPLUS qPCR Master Mix |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | oasig Lyophilised Master Mix |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Reagents and Consumables |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Primer Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Primer Design designs, develops and manufactures real-time PCR (qPCR) molecular diagnostic assays under the genesig brand, supplied as ready-to-deploy kits in Easy, Standard, Advanced, and Complete formats for pathogen detection across human healthcare, animal/veterinary, and food/water/agriculture sectors. The portfolio is complemented by proprietary Precision and oasig master mix reagents, the genesig Easy DNA/RNA extraction kit, qPCR instrumentation, and an OEM/custom assay development service for partners requiring tailored molecular diagnostic solutions.
Product overview
Primer Design is a molecular diagnostics company specializing in real-time qPCR (quantitative PCR) assays and reagents. The product portfolio centers on the genesig qPCR assay brand (offered in Easy, Standard, Advanced, and Complete formats) for pathogen detection across human healthcare, animal & veterinary, and food/water/agriculture sectors. Complementary products include Precision Master Mix lines (Precision FAST, Precision PLUS, Precision PLUS OneStep RT-qPCR) for PCR amplification, oasig lyophilised master mix products for extended stability, and the genesig Easy DNA/RNA extraction kit as part of integrated sample-to-result workflows. The company also offers custom assay development (OEM) services, instrumentation, and a range of reagents and consumables including qPCR plates, pipettes, and magnetic racks. With over 1,200 molecular assays designed, the portfolio covers bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, food speciation, and antibiotic resistance targets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- genesig: Real-time PCR detection kits for pathogen detection
- genesigPLEX
- Precision
- Precision FAST
- Precision PLUS
- oasig
- oasig PLUS
- SNPsig
Products and services
- genesig qPCR Assays Real-time qPCR detection and quantification kits for pathogens and genetic targets in human healthcare, animal health, and food/water/agriculture applications, sold as complete kits priced $461.00–$907.00 depending on pathogen and format.
- Precision Master Mix Products qPCR and one-step RT-qPCR master mix reagents formulated for high-performance amplification and compatible with standard laboratory qPCR instruments, used by customer laboratories in molecular detection workflows.
- oasig Lyophilised Master Mix Freeze-dried qPCR and OneStep RT-qPCR master mix products offering room-temperature stability and convenient shipping, sold in 150-reaction pack sizes.
- genesig Easy DNA/RNA Extraction Kit Extraction and purification kit for DNA and RNA from various samples, used as the front end of the integrated genesig sample-to-result workflow.
- BrightWhite qPCR Plates Real-time PCR plates optimised for qPCR workflows, sold as standalone consumables for use with standard qPCR instruments.
- genesig Easy Magnetic Rack Magnetic rack used for separation steps within the genesig Easy extraction workflow, available as a standalone laboratory accessory.
- genesig Lab in a Box Bundled laboratory setup kit containing essential equipment required to perform qPCR testing workflows.
- genesig Pipettes Liquid-handling precision pipettes sold as standalone accessories for qPCR preparation workflows.
- Custom Assay Development (OEM Solutions) Tailored molecular assay design and OEM manufacturing service for partners requiring custom qPCR assays or white-label, end-to-end qPCR kits integrated into their own products.
- qPCR Instrumentation qPCR instruments and related equipment sold to laboratories for use in molecular diagnostic workflows based on Primer Design reagents.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90-minute qPCR results for rapid decision-making
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Primer Design
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Primer Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Primer Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.
- Novacyt GroupcorePrimer Design is a subsidiary/brand of Novacyt Group, an international diagnostics group. Novacyt provides the corporate infrastructure and parent company resources supporting Primer Design's molecular diagnostics operations. The company leverages Novacyt's group capabilities while operating under the Primer Design brand for qPCR products. Careers information is available through Novacyt's careers portal at careers.novacyt.com.
- Local DistributorsregionalPrimer Design works with local distributors in various territories to serve customers outside their direct sales coverage. Distributors are listed on the distributor page of the website and provide local sales and support in territories where Primer Design does not sell directly.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Primer Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Major manufacturer of qPCR reagents (e.g., iQ multiplex Powermix, SsoAdvanced) and CFX real-time PCR instruments; competes directly with Primer Design on catalog qPCR kits, mastermixes and lyophilised/reagent chemistry used across human and veterinary diagnostic labs.
- Qiagen: Global molecular diagnostics and life-science reagents company offering QuantiNova and QuantiTect qPCR enzyme/kit lines and OEM/white-label services; directly comparable as a broad-menu qPCR kit and OEM reagent manufacturer serving human and applied-testing markets.
- Promega: Manufacturer of GoTaq qPCR mastermixes and custom OEM molecular diagnostic solutions; comparable as a reagent/OEM-focused qPCR supplier with deep custom development capabilities analogous to Primer Design's OEM Solutions business.
- LGC Biosearch Technologies: Supplies qPCR probes, BHQ quenchers and lyophilised reagent custom development services for OEM molecular diagnostics customers; closely comparable on probe/assay design IP and OEM model with Primer Design.
- Meridian Bioscience: Develops and commercializes molecular diagnostic kits (formerly including BioGX and Life Science assays) and OEM reagents for infectious disease; directly comparable on catalog molecular kits and OEM partner model for Primer Design.
Emerging players
- Stilla Technologies: Specialized digital PCR (Naica) consumables and assays — adjacent to Primer Design's qPCR franchise but using a competing technology platform (dPCR) that could erode share in selected high-sensitivity diagnostic use cases over time.
Broad incumbents
- Roche Diagnostics: Operates LightCycler qPCR reagents and the cobas Liat closed-system molecular platform; broader molecular diagnostics portfolio, but its qPCR reagent content is directly comparable to Primer Design's genesig catalog.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific (Applied Biosystems / Thermo Fisher Microbiology): Operates Applied Biosystems TaqMan qPCR reagent lines, MicroSEQ pathogen detection kits and instrumentation; competes with Primer Design across the entire qPCR workflow with deeper integration across instruments, software and global distribution.
- Bio-Techne (including ExoDx / R&D Systems / Biosoph): Supplies molecular biology enzymes, qPCR reagents and lyophilised chemistry consumables comparable to Primer Design's Precision and oasig lines; competes in research and applied-testing qPCR reagent markets.
- Eurofins Genomics: Largest custom oligo and qPCR assay/kit manufacturer globally, also offering in-silico assay design services; relevant scale peer for catalog breadth and custom assay development comparable to Primer Design's 1,200+ assay library.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Primer Design social profiles
Digital presencePrimer Design compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Primer Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Primer Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Primer Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Primer Design 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 Primer Design
What does Primer Design do?
Primer Design designs, develops and manufactures real-time PCR (qPCR) molecular diagnostic assays under the genesig brand, supplied as ready-to-deploy kits in Easy, Standard, Advanced, and Complete formats for pathogen detection across human healthcare, animal/veterinary, and food/water/agriculture sectors. The portfolio is complemented by proprietary Precision and oasig master mix reagents, the genesig Easy DNA/RNA extraction kit, qPCR instrumentation, and an OEM/custom assay development service for partners requiring tailored molecular diagnostic solutions.
Is Primer Design a public or private company?
Primer Design is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Primer Design founded?
Primer Design was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Primer Design based?
Primer Design is headquartered in Chandlers Ford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Primer Design make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. qPCR Assay Products are the primary driver. The others are mastermix Reagents, OEM Solutions and Custom Assay Development, instrumentation and extraction and Reagent Consumables.
Who are Primer Design's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Qiagen, Promega, LGC Biosearch Technologies and Meridian Bioscience. Stilla Technologies is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Roche Diagnostics, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Applied Biosystems / Thermo Fisher Microbiology), Bio-Techne (including ExoDx / R&D Systems / Biosoph) and Eurofins Genomics.
Does Primer Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for Primer Design.
What industry is Primer Design in?
Primer Design's product category is Molecular Diagnostics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAAAD, Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/NAAT/NGS-based IVD), with a secondary code of HLAAALAA, Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/qPCR, NGS-based assays). Its NAICS code is 325413 and its SIC code is 2835.