Axolabs
Axolabs is an integrated CRO/CDMO for nucleic acid therapeutics, serving biotech and pharma sponsors with discovery, preclinical, and cGMP manufacturing services for siRNA, ASOs, aptamers, sgRNA, and mRNA from sites in Kulmbach, Berlin, and Petaluma.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersKulmbach, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Axolabs does
Axolabs is a privately held, integrated CRO and CDMO specializing in nucleic acid therapeutics, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based life science conglomerate LGC Limited. The company supports biotech and pharmaceutical sponsors developing oligonucleotide-based drugs — including siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), aptamers, sgRNA, and mRNA — across the full development arc from in silico lead identification through GMP manufacturing for clinical phases I–III and initial commercial supply.
The platform is anchored in three facilities: a CRO discovery and preclinical site in Kulmbach, Germany (proprietary sequence selection algorithms, multiplex high-throughput screening, PNA-HPLC and LC-MS/MS bioanalytics, mRNA analytics with 150+ validated methods, and LNP formulation); and dual cGMP manufacturing sites in Berlin, Germany (up to 1,500+ mmol per batch using Cytiva OligoProcess and AKB THESYS Synth1500) and Petaluma, California (up to 300 mmol per batch). The Berlin and Petaluma sites hold active GMP and GLP certifications and operate to EMA, FDA, and ICH analytical standards. Core technology differentiators include proprietary bioinformatics-driven sequence design that predicts off-target interactions and species cross-reactivity before benchwork, automated 96-well synthesis for early-stage SAR, and specialized bioanalytical methods for oligonucleotide pharmacokinetics and biodistribution.
Revenue is generated through professional services fees from CRO engagements and CDMO contracts, supplemented by potential future licensing revenue from the recently signed evaluation partnership with Codexis for enzymatic RNA synthesis. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct, supported by conference presence at major oligonucleotide and RNA therapeutics events and a published scientific resource library. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, consistent with custom B2B CRO/CDMO contracting. The company employs 11–50 staff per its public listing (likely understated given the operational footprint) and is led by EVP Dr. Susanne Leonhartsberger with senior leaders recruited from Euroapi, Johnson Matthey Health, Seqens, Roche, and Alnylam.
Axolabs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Axolabs
- Legal name
- LGC Limited
- Website
- https://axolabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Axolabs is an integrated CRO/CDMO for nucleic acid therapeutics, serving biotech and pharma sponsors with discovery, preclinical, and cGMP manufacturing services for siRNA, ASOs, aptamers, sgRNA, and mRNA from sites in Kulmbach, Berlin, and Petaluma.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Axolabs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Oligonucleotide CDMO / CRO Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- mRNA/LNP & Nucleic Acid Therapeutics CDMO (HLAGABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Preclinical CROs (Discovery/Pharmacology/DMPK) (HLAGAAAB), mRNA & Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Services (mRNA/saRNA/Plasmid DNA) (HLAGAGAC), Plasmid DNA & mRNA Manufacturing Services (HLAAAKAE)
Keywords
Where Axolabs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kulmbach
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Axolabs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- CRO Services: Integrated contract research organization services including discovery (lead identification and chemistry optimization), preclinical studies (safety, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution), and bioanalytics for nucleic acid therapeutics.
- CDMO Services: Contract development and manufacturing organization services spanning non-GMP to GMP manufacturing, process development, and synthesis scale-up for clinical trial phases I-III and initial commercial requirements.
- Technology Evaluation and Licensing: Evaluation of Codexis ECO Synthesis Manufacturing Platform for enzymatic RNA synthesis with potential for future licensing arrangements.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Axolabs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Axolabs operates an integrated CRO/CDMO platform for nucleic acid therapeutics, spanning lead identification and bioinformatics-driven discovery through preclinical development and cGMP manufacturing of oligonucleotides (siRNA, ASOs, aptamers, sgRNA, mRNA). The Kulmbach site delivers CRO services including in silico design, synthesis, screening, bioanalytics, mRNA analytics, and LNP formulation, while the Petaluma and Berlin sites deliver CDMO services including early-stage to large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis, cGMP production for clinical phases I-III, GMP analytics/QC, and integrated technology transfer.
Product overview
Axolabs operates an integrated CRO | CDMO platform for nucleic acid therapeutics spanning discovery through commercial GMP manufacturing. The platform is organized into two divisions: CRO Services (offered at the Kulmbach site) covering in silico and bioinformatics lead design, rational design and synthesis, preclinical screening, cell-based evaluations, advanced bioanalytics including PNA-HPLC and LC-MS/MS, mRNA analytics with over 150 validated methods, and LNP Formulation Services; and CDMO Services (offered at Petaluma and Berlin sites) providing early-stage to large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis, cGMP production supporting clinical phases I-III and initial commercial supply (up to 300 mmol in Petaluma and 1,500+ mmol in Berlin per batch), GMP analytics and quality control, and integrated technology transfer. The platform supports multiple therapeutic modalities including ASOs, siRNA, sgRNA, aptamers, and bioconjugates, utilizing Cytiva OligoPilot/OligoProcess and Asahi Kasei Bioprocess THESYS manufacturing platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CRO Services (Discovery and Preclinical) Integrated contract research services for nucleic acid therapeutics including in silico/bioinformatics lead design with proprietary off-target prediction algorithms, rational design and solid-phase synthesis with chemical modifications and conjugations, preclinical screening via automated synthesis and multiplexed assays (Quantigene, qPCR, RNA-Seq), cell-based evaluations, advanced PNA-HPLC and LC-MS/MS bioanalytics, mRNA analytics with 150+ validated methods, and LNP formulation services. Delivered from the Kulmbach, Germany facility for biotech, pharma, and academic customers.
- CDMO Services (Process Development and GMP Manufacturing)
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduces attrition by ensuring lead candidates are chemically optimized and biologically validated before progression
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Axolabs
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Axolabs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Axolabs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- CodexisstrategicCodexis and Axolabs partnered to evaluate Codexis' ECO Synthesis Manufacturing Platform for enzymatic RNA synthesis. The collaboration aims to develop more efficient and scalable methods for therapeutic oligonucleotide manufacturing, with potential for future licensing and broader adoption in the industry.
- Asahi KaseicorePartnership with Asahi Kasei for oligonucleotide therapeutics development utilizing AKB THESYS synthesis platforms (Synth100 and Synth1500) in Axolabs' Berlin cGMP facility.
- CytivacoreEquipment partnership for large-scale oligonucleotide manufacturing using Cytiva's OligoPilot and OligoProcess systems at both Petaluma and Berlin facilities.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Axolabs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- WuXi STA: WuXi STA is a global CDMO offering oligonucleotide and nucleic acid therapeutic manufacturing services, competing with Axolabs particularly in clinical and commercial-scale GMP supply.
- Lonza: Lonza has been actively expanding into oligonucleotide and mRNA manufacturing services, representing a well-capitalized incumbent with global GMP capacity that competes with Axolabs for nucleic acid therapeutic sponsors.
- Asahi Kasei Bioprocess: Asahi Kasei supplies the THESYS synthesis platforms used by Axolabs' Berlin facility and also engages in contract oligonucleotide manufacturing, making it both an equipment partner and a broader-incumbent competitor.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher offers broad CDMO services including nucleic acid therapeutics through its Patheon business, competing with Axolabs from a much larger commercial footprint with broader modality coverage.
Direct peers
- Nitto Denko Avecia: Avecia is one of the most established oligonucleotide CDMOs, offering process development, scale-up, and cGMP manufacturing for therapeutic oligonucleotides — directly comparable to Axolabs' CDMO service line.
- CordenPharma: CordenPharma provides oligonucleotide API manufacturing and integrated CDMO services for nucleic acid therapeutics, competing head-to-head with Axolabs for clinical and commercial supply contracts.
- Eurofins Genomics: Eurofins Genomics provides oligonucleotide synthesis, sequencing, and bioanalytical services for research and therapeutic applications, overlapping with Axolabs' discovery CRO and bioanalytics capabilities.
- BioSpring: BioSpring is a Frankfurt-based oligonucleotide CDMO offering development, manufacturing, and analytics for therapeutic nucleic acids — a directly comparable German-headquartered peer in the oligonucleotide CDMO market.
Emerging players
- Samsung Biologics: Samsung Biologics has been investing in oligonucleotide and mRNA CDMO capabilities, positioning itself as an emerging large-scale competitor to specialized players like Axolabs in nucleic acid therapeutics manufacturing.
Others
- LGC Biosearch Technologies: LGC Biosearch Technologies is a sister business within LGC Group providing custom oligonucleotide manufacturing and genomics reagents, sharing parent-group resources and customer relationships with Axolabs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Axolabs social profiles
Digital presenceAxolabs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Axolabs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Axolabs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Axolabs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Axolabs 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 Axolabs
What does Axolabs do?
Axolabs operates an integrated CRO/CDMO platform for nucleic acid therapeutics, spanning lead identification and bioinformatics-driven discovery through preclinical development and cGMP manufacturing of oligonucleotides (siRNA, ASOs, aptamers, sgRNA, mRNA). The Kulmbach site delivers CRO services including in silico design, synthesis, screening, bioanalytics, mRNA analytics, and LNP formulation, while the Petaluma and Berlin sites deliver CDMO services including early-stage to large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis, cGMP production for clinical phases I-III, GMP analytics/QC, and integrated technology transfer.
Is Axolabs a public or private company?
Axolabs is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Axolabs founded?
Axolabs was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Axolabs based?
Axolabs is headquartered in Kulmbach, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Axolabs make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. CRO Services are the primary driver. The others are CDMO Services and technology Evaluation and Licensing.
Who are Axolabs's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are WuXi STA, Lonza, Asahi Kasei Bioprocess and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Direct peers are Nitto Denko Avecia, CordenPharma, Eurofins Genomics and BioSpring. Samsung Biologics is listed as an emerging player. LGC Biosearch Technologies is listed as an others.
Does Axolabs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Axolabs.
What industry is Axolabs in?
Axolabs's product category is Oligonucleotide CDMO / CRO Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGABAF, mRNA/LNP & Nucleic Acid Therapeutics CDMO, with a secondary code of HLAGAAAB, Preclinical CROs (Discovery/Pharmacology/DMPK). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.