Cellexus

What Cellexus does

Cellexus International Ltd. is a privately held UK biotechnology equipment manufacturer headquartered in Dundee, Scotland. Founded in 2005 in Cambridge around patented airlift bioreactor technology invented by Kevin A. Auton Ph.D., the company was acquired by its current management team in 2017 and operates with 1–10 employees. Its core product is the CellMaker range of single-use airlift bioreactor systems, which use gas bubbles instead of mechanical impellers to mix and aerate cell cultures. This produces low-shear, homogeneous mixing suitable for microbial, bacteriophage, mammalian, and plant cell applications. The portfolio spans three controller tiers (Regular, Plus, Low Flow) plus a Dual Regular configuration, 8L and 50L enclosures, single-use bags in 4L/8L/50L capacities, and bundled Verder peristaltic pumps for pH control. Working volumes range from 1.5L to 50L, scalable to 100L via the Dual Controller.

The company sells directly from its Dundee headquarters and through an authorized distributor network covering 13 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America. Revenue streams comprise hardware sales (controllers, enclosures, bags), recurring consumable sales (gamma-irradiated single-use bags manufactured in an ISO Class VII clean room under ISO 13485:2016 and FDA 21CFR 820 compliance), and short-term equipment rentals that allow customers to trial systems before purchase. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Manufacturing is in-house at Dundee, with bag fabrication certified to ISO 9001:2015 quality management and the controller software meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.

Cellexus serves academic researchers, biotech startups, and pharmaceutical companies working on bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial resistance, monoclonal antibody production, recombinant proteins, viral vectors, and plant cell culture. Named customers include Proteon Pharmaceuticals (4 systems used in BAFASAL phage production), Green Bioactives (plant cell culture), Fixed Phage (1×10^13 pfu/ml titres), TechnoPhage, and universities including Dundee, Abertay, KU Leuven, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Cambridge's Laboratory of Molecular Biology. The company collaborates with IBioIC, CPI, and Abertay University on co-development projects, and holds awards including International Life Sciences Awards' Best Cell Culture & Fermentation Technology 2021 and Business Excellence Awards' Most Pioneering Biotech Company (UK) 2021.

Name

Cellexus

Legal name

Cellexus International Ltd.

Website

https://cellexus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cellexus designs and manufactures the CellMaker range of single-use airlift bioreactor systems (1.5L–50L), selling controllers, enclosures, and consumable bags to academic, biotech, and pharmaceutical customers globally for cell culture and fermentation applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dundee

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bioreactor Hardware Sales: Sale of CellMaker bioreactor systems including Controllers (Regular, Plus, Low Flow, Dual Regular), Enclosures (8L and 50L), and bioreactor bags. Systems built in-house by engineers.
2. Equipment Rental: Flexible rental options for CellMaker systems allowing customers to try before buying. Short-term rental with attractive pricing options.
3. Consumables (Bioreactor Bags): Ongoing sales of single-use bioreactor bags in 4L, 8L, and 50L capacities with Regular and Plus configurations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cellexus designs, manufactures, and sells the CellMaker range of single-use airlift bioreactor systems, comprising controllers (Regular, Plus, Low Flow, Dual Regular), 8L and 50L enclosures, and single-use sterile bioreactor bags (4L, 8L, 50L) for microbial, bacteriophage, mammalian, and plant cell culture. Patented airlift mixing technology eliminates mechanical impellers, providing low-shear, contamination-free fermentation for biopharmaceutical and academic customers worldwide.

Product overview

Cellexus offers the CellMaker range of single-use airlift bioreactor systems designed for cell culture and fermentation applications. The portfolio consists of three controller tiers (Regular, Plus, and Low Flow) that work with 8L or 50L enclosures and single-use bioreactor bags in 4L, 8L, and 50L capacities. The Regular Controller provides basic temperature and airflow control; the Plus Controller adds pH and dissolved oxygen monitoring with automatic control and additional gas inputs (N2, CO2); the Low Flow Controller offers ultra-gentle mixing for shear-sensitive mammalian cells. The Dual Regular Controller enables running two enclosures simultaneously. Accessories include Verder peristaltic pumps for pH control. The patented airlift technology uses gas bubbles instead of mechanical stirring to mix and aerate cultures, providing low shear stress suitable for microbial, mammalian, and plant cell cultures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CellMaker: The CellMaker range of single-use airlift bioreactor systems, available in Regular, Plus, Low Flow, and Dual configurations with 8L and 50L enclosures.

Products and services

• CellMaker Regular Controller Basic CellMaker controller offering manual and automatic control of microbial bioprocesses with temperature and airflow control via touchscreen, integrated compressor, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliant software; sold to laboratories running microbial fermentation.
• CellMaker Plus Controller Advanced controller adding pH and dissolved oxygen monitoring with automatic control, plus N2 and CO2 gas inputs for automated culture optimisation; targets laboratories needing richer process control and acid/base pH management.
• CellMaker Low Flow Controller Specialised controller delivering ultra-low airflow (0.06–0.25 VVM) for gentle mixing of shear-sensitive cells such as CHO and hybridoma; includes pH and dissolved oxygen monitoring with automated temperature regulation from 16°C to 40°C ±0.1°C.
• CellMaker Dual Regular Controller Dual-unit controller that runs two enclosures (2x 8L, 2x 50L, or 1x 8L + 1x 50L) concurrently from a single unit, enabling identical or parallel processes with up to 100L working volume and reduced lab footprint.
• CellMaker Enclosures (8L and 50L) Benchtop enclosures available in 8L (1.5L–8L working volumes) and 50L (10L–50L working volumes) configurations, with integrated Peltier heating/cooling and transparent viewing panels for visual monitoring of bioreactor bags.
• CellMaker Bioreactor Bags Patented single-use sterile bioreactor bags fabricated in ISO Class VII clean rooms under ISO 13485:2016 and FDA 21CFR 820, gamma irradiated and double-bagged; available in 4L, 8L, and 50L capacities with Regular and Plus configurations for use with CellMaker systems.
• Verder Mini-Load Pump (acid/base pH control accessory) Peristaltic pump supplied with CellMaker Plus and Low Flow systems for automated or manual acid/base pH control, offering compact design and user-friendly tube changes for pH-adjusting solution injection into bioreactor bags.
• CellMaker Equipment Rental Program Short-term monthly rental of CellMaker systems enabling customers to trial the bioreactor in their own lab with their own processes and attractive pricing before deciding to purchase, functioning as a try-before-you-buy motion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10-100x higher phage titres compared to other bioreactors
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Verder LiquidscoreTechnology or Integration · 24 March 2022Partnership with Castleford-based Verder Liquids to provide Mini-Load pumps for acid/base control included as standard with CellMaker Plus and Low Flow bioreactor systems. Pump selected for size, quality, RPM ranges and pump head/motor integrations. Enables simple tube changes in seconds and user-friendly operation.
• CPI (Centre for Process Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for studying efficiency of liquid mixing and volumetric mass transfer coefficient in CellMaker bioreactor systems. CPI is a UK technology innovation centre.
• IBioIC (Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with IBioIC supporting feasibility projects and joint development. IBioIC is a Scottish innovation centre supporting industrial biotechnology.
• CB TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Scottish company CB Technology to speed up development of medicines, vaccines, and key ingredients.
• University of Abertay DundeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research project supported by IBioIC Feasibility Project grant for amplification and transfection of CHO suspension cells in CellMaker Low Flow bioreactor. Academic collaboration for proof-of-concept studies.
• Abertay UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project in collaboration with IBioIC for bioprocessing research and development.
• Green Bioactives LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustomer partnership where Green Bioactives uses CellMaker for plant cell culture research, providing case study content and testimonial for Cellexus marketing.
• Proteon PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey customer partnership where Proteon uses CellMaker systems for phage production. Proteon has 4 CellMaker systems as vital part of BAFASAL production. Company achieves Net Zero with phage products.
• TechnoPhageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustomer using CellMaker for phage production for therapeutic applications. Featured in Capsid & Tail case study.
• 7BioScience GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in Germany.
• Accuscience Ireland LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in Ireland.
• BioSPx Belgium/Luxembourg and NetherlandscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands.
• Cell Systems BiologycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in Australia (Melbourne).
• FroggaBiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in Canada.
• Labex Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in South Korea.
• Mars BioanalyticalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in India.
• MTBcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in Spain.
• Nerliens MeszanskycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in Norway.
• Nordic BiolabscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in Sweden.
• System C BioprocesscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in France.
• 2B Scientific LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for CellMaker products in United Kingdom.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Applikon Biotechnology (Getinge): Acquired by Getinge in 2020, Applikon manufactures both classical stainless-steel and single-use bioreactors for microbial and mammalian cell culture at benchtop to production scale. Direct competitor with overlapping technology platforms in bioreactor-based cell culture research and biomanufacturing.
• CerCell: Danish manufacturer specializing in single-use bioreactor systems and upstream solutions for cell culture and fermentation. Direct peer of comparable size, targeting similar process development and pilot-scale customers with single-use platform offerings — direct head-to-head competition in EU and academic channels.
• PBS Biotech (Donaldson): Acquired by Donaldson in 2023, PBS Biotech manufactures single-use bioreactors (vertically-stirred PBS line) for cell culture, viral vector, and cell therapy production. Direct competitor in the single-use bioreactor space serving similar benchtop-to-pilot scale customers, with comparable emphasis on gentle mixing for sensitive cell types.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Through its Life Sciences Solutions and Bioproduction groups, Thermo Fisher offers a comprehensive suite of single-use bioreactors (HyPerforma), cell culture media, and bioprocess services. Broad incumbent with deep life-sciences tooling that competes in nearly every lab equipment category Cellexus serves.
• Merck KGaA / MilliporeSigma: Through its Life Science business (MilliporeSigma), Merck offers Mobius single-use bioreactors and a large bioprocess portfolio. Broad incumbent serving overlapping biopharma customers across single-use mixing, sterile filtration, and process development consumables.
• Cytiva: Major bioprocess equipment manufacturer offering Xcellerex single-use bioreactors plus a full portfolio of media, filters, and process-scale biomanufacturing solutions. Broad incumbent targeting the same customer base as Cellexus across pharmaceuticals and biotech, with much stronger GMP-customer reach.
• Sartorius Stedim Biotech: World leader in single-use bioreactors and bioprocess equipment, offering Ambr, Biostat, and Flexsafe platforms across microbial and mammalian cell culture. Broad incumbent whose SUB portfolio overlaps with Cellexus in single-use mixing for cell culture, but operating at vastly larger scale across full upstream and downstream bioprocess.
• Eppendorf: German lab equipment manufacturer offering the BioFlo range of stirred-tank bioreactors for cell culture and fermentation at research and pilot scales. Broad incumbent with established channels and reputation across pharma and academia; comparable product breadth though focused on stirred-tank rather than airlift mixing.

Emerging players

• Infors HT: Swiss manufacturer of benchtop bioreactors (Minifors, Multifors) for microbial and cell culture applications. Emerging player competing in the same research-scale bioreactor segment as Cellexus, with a stirred-tank focus rather than airlift technology — overlapping customer base in European academia and biotech.
• m2p-labs: German developer of micro-bioreactor technology (BioLector) for high-throughput fermentation and cell culture screening. Emerging player whose micro-bioreactor platform intersects with Cellexus in microbial and cell culture applications but focuses on miniaturization and process screening rather than scale-up production.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CellexusLtd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cellexus-limited

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Cellexus