What Eminence does

Eminence (legal entity Eminence Scientific (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., rebranded in 2024 as Eminence Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese cell culture media developer and manufacturer founded in 2016 and headquartered in Suzhou. The company specializes in chemically defined, animal-component-free media for mammalian cell expression systems — primarily CHO (the dominant host for monoclonal antibody and recombinant protein production), HEK293 (used for transient transfection, AAV/lentiviral vector production), BHK (vaccine manufacturing), and insect cells (baculovirus expression systems). Its product portfolio spans basal media, feeds, supplements, transfection reagents, and classical media formulations, organized into four platforms: CHO Cell Culture Medium, 293 Instantaneous Transfection, Vaccine Culture Medium, and Classical Media. Underlying technology includes a proprietary high-throughput screening platform capable of evaluating 200+ media formulations in parallel, Pin-Milling powder processing technology, and a proprietary stable cell line development platform with an advanced imaging system for clonality verification.

The company operates a 7,000 sqm GMP-compliant manufacturing facility with 500 tons annual production capacity, batch size flexibility from 3 kg to 2,000 kg, and certifications including ISO 13485:2016, ISO 9001:2015, FDA 21 CFR compliance, EU GMP, and Chinese GMP. Beyond catalog products, Eminence generates project-based revenue through three service lines: custom media formulation development (6-12 months), custom GMP media manufacturing (up to 1,000 kg/batch, 6-8 week delivery), and end-to-end stable cell line development from DNA to research cell bank in 4-6 months with demonstrated yields of 4-6 g/L in fed-batch culture. The go-to-market is a direct B2B sales-led model targeting biopharmaceutical, gene therapy, vaccine, and academic research customers globally from the Suzhou facility, supported by cooperative partnerships with BMD Labservice (博美达生命科学), Luxcell (乐赛生物), Biozy (臻远生物), and Hoefer. The company is led by founder and CEO Dr. Frank Song, whose prior experience at Regeneron, Ambrx, Astellas, and EMD Millipore underpins its technical credibility and whose personal patent portfolio exceeds ten multinational invention patents in industrial cell culture technology.

Name

Eminence

Legal name

Eminence Scientific (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

Website

https://eminencebio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Eminence is a Chinese GMP-certified developer and manufacturer of chemically defined cell culture media for CHO, HEK293, BHK, and insect cell systems, serving biopharmaceutical, gene therapy, and vaccine developers worldwide with catalog media, transfection reagents, and custom formulation and cell line development services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cell Culture Media

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Process Development & Tech Transfer Services (upstream/downstream) (HLAAAKAF)

Keywords

• Cell culture media
• CHO media manufacturing
• Bioprocessing solutions
• Cell line development
• GMP manufacturing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Changzhou

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cell Culture Media Products: Sale of proprietary cell culture media including basal media, feeds, supplements, and transfection reagents. Products sold in various specifications (liquid and powder forms) ranging from 0.5L to 500L. Revenue from repeat product purchases.
2. Custom Media Manufacturing Services: GMP-compliant custom manufacturing of cell culture media tailored to customer specifications. Maximum lot size of 1000kg/batch with delivery in 6-8 weeks. Professional services revenue model.
3. Media Formulation Development Services: Custom media formulation development and optimization services using high-throughput screening platform. Complete development within 6-12 months. Project-based service revenue.
4. Stable Cell Line Development Services: End-to-end cell line development from DNA to RCB in 4-6 months. Includes upstream process development. Service-based revenue model.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Eminence develops, manufactures, and sells chemically defined, animal-component-free cell culture media and feeds (EmCD CHO, EmCD HEK293, EmACF, Classical Media series) used by biopharmaceutical companies to grow mammalian and insect cells for therapeutic protein, antibody, viral vector, and vaccine production. The company also delivers project-based services including media formulation development via high-throughput screening, custom GMP-compliant media manufacturing (up to 1000 kg/batch), and end-to-end stable cell line development (DNA to RCB in 4-6 months).

Product overview

Eminence is a cell culture media company offering a comprehensive portfolio of chemically defined, serum-free cell culture products organized into four main platforms. The CHO Cell Culture Medium Platform includes multiple basal media and feed supplements (EmCD CHO® 121 Series, EmCD CHO® 101 Series, EmCD CHO® 104 Basal Medium, EmCD CHO-S 203 Medium) plus EmACF CHO 203 Feed and EmACF CHO 212 Cloning Medium for various CHO cell lines. The 293 Instantaneous Transfection Platform provides EmCD HEK293 Plus Medium, EmCD HEK293 Plus Feed, EmCD Supplement 1, EmCD HiPro Transfection Reagent, and a complete EmCD HEK293 Transfection Kit. The Vaccine Culture Medium Platform offers EmCD SF CM1 Medium for insect cells and EmACF BHK 300 Medium for vaccine production. The Classical Media Platform includes liquid and powder formulations of DMEM, αMEM, IMDM, RPMI 1640, DMEM-F12, MEM, Ham's F-12K, and M199 with ultra-low endotoxins. Additionally, Eminence provides Em CHO-K1 Cells (a GMP-compliant cell line), and services including Media Formulation Development (high-throughput screening of 200+ formulas), Custom Media Manufacturing (up to 1000kg/batch), and Stable Cell Line Development (DNA to RCB in 4-6 months).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EmCD CHO 121 Medium Series Chemically defined, animal-component-free basal medium and feed for CHO cell lines (CHO-S, CHO-K1, CHOZN, CHO-DG44) used in fed-batch and perfusion biologics manufacturing. Supports high cell density (28.4×10^6 cells/mL) and protein expression up to 4.7x higher than glucose-supplemented batch cultures.
• EmCD CHO 101 Basal Medium Chemically defined, protein-free, serum-free basal medium for CHO cell lines (CHO-K1, CHOZN, CHO-S, CHO-DG44) for GMP-compliant fed-batch cultivation. Available in 1L, 10L, 100L, and 500L specifications.
• EmCD CHO 104 Basal Medium Chemically defined basal medium for CHO cell lines (CHO-K1, CHO-S, CHO-DG44) available in HT- and HT+ variants. Protein-free, serum-free, GMP compliant for fed-batch cultivation.
• EmCD CHO-S 203 Medium Chemically defined medium optimized for ExpiCHO-S and CHO-K1 cells in transient transfection. Supports cell densities up to 25×10^6 cells/mL with >90% viability on Day 7, compatible with PEI transfection reagents.
• EmCD CHO 906 Perfusion Medium High-performance chemically defined perfusion medium for CHO cells (CHO-K1, CHO-S, CHO-DG44). Supports sustained cell densities of 60-80×10^6 cells/mL in perfusion culture processes.
• EmCD HEK293 Plus Medium Basal medium for HEK293 and Expi293F cells in transient expression of antibodies and recombinant proteins. Chemically defined, protein-free, serum-free. Available in liquid (1L) and powder (10L, 100L, 500L) formats.
• EmCD HEK293 Plus Feed Chemically defined nutrient supplement for HEK293 and Expi 293F cells, optimized for transient expression of antibodies and recombinant proteins. Supports efficient AAV and LV virus expansion with protein expression yields of 140.2 mg/L.
• EmCD HEK293 Transfection Kit Complete kit for HEK293 transient transfection including EmCD HEK293 Plus Medium, EmCD HEK293 Plus Feed Medium, EmCD Supplement 1, and EmCD HiPro Transfection Reagent. Optimized for viral vector production (AAV, lentivirus) and protein expression.
• EmCD SF CM1 Medium Serum-free medium for insect cells (Sf9, High Five) used in baculovirus expression systems for recombinant protein production, vaccine development, and virology research. Supports cell densities up to 14.1×10^6 cells/mL.
• EmACF BHK 300 Medium Serum-free medium utilizing plant-derived hydrolysates for BHK cells, supporting growth up to 22×10^6 cells/mL. Used for vaccine and recombinant protein production with GMP compliance.
• EmACF CHO 203 Feed Feed supplement with plant-derived hydrolysates for ExpiCHO-S and CHO-K1 cells in transient transfection. Protein-free, serum-free, used with EmCD CHO-S 203 Medium for enhanced cell density and protein yields (206 mg/L yield demonstrated).
• EmACF CHO 212 Cloning Medium Serum-free cloning medium with plant-derived hydrolysates for CHO cell lines (CHO-K1, CHOZN, CHO-S, CHO-DG44). Optimized for single clone cell line selection, limited dilution, and single-cell clone plating with GMP compliance.
• EmCD HiPro Transfection Reagent Proprietary high-efficiency transfection reagent for adherent/suspension cell transfection (CHO cells, HEK293 cells). Low cytotoxicity, suitable for viral vector production and challenging transfection projects.
• Classical Medium-Liquid Classical liquid cell culture media for specialized cells (tumor cells, hybridoma cells, neural progenitor cells). Includes DMEM, αMEM, IMDM, RPMI 1640, DMEM-F12, MEM, Ham's F-12K variants. Ultra-low endotoxins (<0.04 EU/mL) with GMP compliance.
• Classical Medium-Powder Powder forms of classical cell culture media including DMEM, αMEM, IMDM, RPMI 1640, DMEM-F12, MEM, Ham's F-12K, M199. GMP manufactured with ultra-low endotoxins and batch sizes from 10L to 12kg.
• Em CHO-K1 Cells GMP-compliant CHO-K1 cell line adapted for suspension culture in serum-free, chemically defined EmCD CHO medium. Accompanied by comprehensive documentation from Charles River Laboratory testing including cell line identification, sterility, and mycoplasma status.
• Media Formulation Development Custom cell culture formulation development service using a high-throughput screening platform that can screen 200+ formulas. Proprietary formulation library with complete development in 6-12 months. Includes pilot lots before bulk manufacturing.
• Custom Media Manufacturing GMP-compliant and ISO-certified custom cell culture media manufacturing with maximum lot size of 1000 kg/batch. Delivery within 6-8 weeks with full process control and material management expertise.
• Stable Cell Line Development Stable cell line development service using proprietary platform with CHO-K1 host cells and expression vectors. From DNA to RCB in 4-6 months with average yield of 4-6 g/L in fed-batch culture. Includes upstream process development and clonality assurance via imaging system.

Quantifiable outcome

• EmCD CHO-S 203 Medium achieves maximum live cell density of 25×10^6 cells/mL with >90% viability on Day 7
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• BMD Labservice (博美达生命科学)minorOthersListed as a cooperative partner on Eminence's website. Provides complementary laboratory services or distribution in the Chinese market.
• Luxcell (乐赛生物)minorOthersListed as a cooperative partner on Eminence's website. Likely provides complementary cell biology products or services.
• Biozy (臻远生物)minorOthersListed as a cooperative partner on Eminence's website. Provides complementary biotech products or services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lonza: Offers chemically defined media as part of a full biologics manufacturing services stack, including cell line construction and process development. Overlaps with Eminence across media, cell line development and CDMO services.
• Sartorius: Supplies cell culture media alongside bioreactors and process development tools through its Bioprocess Solutions division. Competes with Eminence for upstream bioprocessing budgets at CDMOs and biopharma manufacturers.
• Cytiva (HyClone): Global bioprocessing leader offering HyClone classical and serum-free media for CHO and other mammalian systems. Directly comparable product portfolio and target customer base (biopharma process development), but bundled into a much wider bioprocessing hardware and services portfolio.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Gibco): Gibco is the dominant chemically defined CHO and HEK293 media supplier globally. Eminence's EmCD CHO and HEK293 Plus lines compete head-to-head with Gibco CD CHO, OptiCHO and FreeStyle media for the same biopharma customers.
• Merck (MilliporeSigma): Former EMD Millipore — one of the CEO's prior employers. Offers EX-CELL and Cellvento chemically defined CHO media, plus full bioprocessing portfolio. Directly competitive in upstream cell culture media.

Others

• Bio-Techne: Investor in Eminence (2021 round) and adjacent supplier of R&D reagents and (through its protein-simple and ExoDx brands) some cell culture-adjacent technologies. Strategic relationship could evolve into broader commercial partnership.

Direct peers

• OPM Biosciences: China-based chemically defined media developer for CHO, HEK293, BHK and Vero cells. Closest direct domestic competitor to Eminence, targeting Chinese and international biopharma with overlapping product platforms.
• FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific: Specialist cell culture media and CDMO services provider with chemically defined CHO media and viral vector production media (BalanCD). Direct comparable in focus areas: CHO media, viral vector support, and CDMO.
• BasalMedia (Shanghai BasalMedia Sciences): Chinese manufacturer of serum-free, chemically defined media and feed for CHO, HEK293 and stem cell applications. Competes with Eminence in both domestic and international markets on price-sensitive media accounts.

Regional players

• CytoBioScience (Shanghai Cyto-Biotech): China-based developer of serum-free media for CHO, HEK293, MDCK and other cell lines for vaccines and biologics. Regional peer competing in the same Chinese domestic customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eminencebio

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Eminence