What STARR Life Sciences does

STARR Life Sciences Corp. is a privately held manufacturer of non-invasive physiological monitoring equipment for small laboratory animals, headquartered in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, with 11-50 employees. The company sells three integrated product families: the MouseOx Plus pulse oximetry system (Patent No. 8,005,624) for measuring heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, breath rate, temperature, and pulse/breath distension in mice, rats, and other small animals; the E-Mitter battery-free implantable telemetry system for continuous monitoring of temperature, activity, and heart rate via externally powered transponders (acquired from Philips Respironics in 2013 after 35+ years of prior market presence under Mini-Mitter); and an activity monitoring portfolio of in-cage running wheels, Tecniplast activity cage systems, home cage infrared motion detectors, and the 12-channel standalone Activity Counter. The portfolio is supported by VitalView and MouseOx Plus software with up to 96 data channels, integration with ADI Lab Chart, Powerlab, and Clock Lab Analysis, and MRI-compatible sensors validated up to 19T.

The company serves academic and university research laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies conducting preclinical drug development, contract research organizations (CROs) running outsourced safety and efficacy studies, and veterinary research institutions. Customers reach the company through direct sales (website quote requests, phone support at 866-978-2779) and a global distributor network spanning 25+ countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Oceania, and the Middle East. Revenue is generated almost entirely through hardware sales of base units, sensors, multiplexers, enclosures, telemetry implants and energizer/receivers, and software modules (Standard, Premium, Conscious for MouseOx; VitalView for telemetry and activity), with no publicly disclosed pricing and no disclosed institutional equity backing since 2011.

STARR Life Sciences is founder-controlled, self-funded after a cumulative ~$3.98M raised between 2004 and 2011 (including rounds backed by Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse and Idea Foundry), and continues to invest in product development (Activity Counter launched 2022, VitalView Events Software and VV-DO4 output boxes launched 2024). Its competitive position rests on patent protection, a multi-decade publication record (hundreds of peer-reviewed citations), and the integrated multi-modality ecosystem rather than on AI, software-as-a-service, or data platform capabilities.

Name

STARR Life Sciences

Legal name

Starr Life Sciences Corporation

Website

https://starrlifesciences.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

STARR Life Sciences manufactures patented non-invasive vital signs monitors (MouseOx Plus) and battery-free implantable telemetry (E-Mitter) for mice, rats, and other small laboratory animals, serving pharmaceutical, academic, CRO, and veterinary researchers worldwide through direct sales and a 25+ country distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Animal Monitoring Equipment

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Anesthesia, Ventilation & Patient Monitoring (Machines, Vaporizers, Monitors) (HLAMAFAB)

Keywords

• Small animal monitoring
• Pulse oximetry systems
• Implantable telemetry devices
• Preclinical research equipment
• Activity monitoring systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Pulse Oximetry Systems: Sale of MouseOx Plus pulse oximeter control units, sensors (mouse thigh, paw, collar, throat; rat foot, collar, throat; MRI compatible; temperature), multiplexers (8 and 16 channel), analog output modules, and small animal enclosures for conscious monitoring.
2. Hardware Sales - Telemetry Systems: Sale of E-Mitter implantable telemetry transponders (G2, G2 HR, PTD 4000, PDT 4000 HR variants), ER4500/ER4000 energizer/receivers, and related accessories.
3. Hardware Sales - Activity Monitoring: Sale of in-cage running wheels, Tecniplast activity cage systems, home cage infrared motion detectors, activity counters, and associated hardware.
4. Software Products: Sale of MouseOx Plus software modules (Standard, Premium, Conscious) and VitalView telemetry/activity software. Software provides data acquisition, recording, analysis, and export capabilities.
5. Accessories and Components: Sale of VitalView Events Software module, output boxes (VV-DO4-AC-NA, VV-DO4-AC-IEC, VV-DO4-RLY), sensor multiplexers, and replacement sensors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

STARR Life Sciences designs, manufactures, and sells non-invasive physiological monitoring equipment for small laboratory animals (mice, rats). Its product portfolio includes the MouseOx Plus pulse oximeter (Patent No. 8,005,624), battery-free E-Mitter implantable telemetry transponders, and activity monitoring systems (running wheels, IR motion detectors). Products are used by universities, pharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations for preclinical research applications.

Product overview

STARR Life Sciences offers a comprehensive portfolio of small animal physiological monitoring solutions organized into three main product categories: Pulse Oximetry (MouseOx Plus system with sensors, software modules, multiplexers, analog output, and enclosures), Telemetry (E-Mitter battery-free implantable transponders with ER4500 receiver and VitalView software), and Activity Monitoring (in-cage running wheels, Tecniplast systems, IR motion detectors, activity counters, and VitalView software). The MouseOx Plus (Patent No. 8,005,624) is the company's flagship product—the world's first and only patented noninvasive vital signs monitor specifically designed for small laboratory animals. In 2013, STARR acquired the VitalView/E-Mitter product line from Philips Respironics, extending their portfolio to include battery-free implantable telemetry for long-term continuous monitoring. Products integrate with ADI Lab Chart and Powerlab via STARR-Link analog output, and VitalView software exports AWD files compatible with Clock Lab Analysis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MouseOx® Plus: Clinically validated small animal pulse oximeter for mice, rats and other small animals. Measures heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, breath rate, temperature, pulse distension, breath distension, and activity. Second generation of the original mouse pulse oximeter with Patent No. 8,005,624.
• VitalView® Telemetry System
• E-Mitter®

Products and services

• MouseOx Plus Pulse Oximeter Clinically validated non-invasive pulse oximeter and physiological monitor for mice, rats, and other small laboratory animals. Measures heart rate (90-900 bpm), arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), breath rate, temperature, pulse distension, breath distension, and activity for both anesthetized and conscious subjects. Can monitor up to 16 subjects using a multiplexer and is MRI compatible with the non-magnetic sensor option.
• MouseOx Plus Sensors
• Sensor Multiplexer Sensor switching unit allowing a single MouseOx Plus to monitor and record data from up to 8 or 16 subjects with automatic, scheduled, or manual switching options.
• STARR-Link Analog Output Module Analog data output module that converts MouseOx Plus calculated parameters to 0-5V analog voltage output for integration with third-party data acquisition systems including ADI Lab Chart and Powerlab.
• Small Animal Enclosures for Pulse Oximetry Conscious animal enclosures providing a low-stress environment for monitoring conscious mice or rats with tether/wire management, swivel mount, lever arm, and low torque slip ring.
• E-Mitter Telemetry System Battery-free, wireless implantable telemetry system for continuous monitoring of temperature, gross motor activity, and heart rate of single-housed mice, rats, and other small animals. E-Mitters can remain implanted for up to 2 years without battery replacement or recalibration, and are available in G2, G2 HR, PTD 4000, and PDT 4000 HR variants for different animal size ranges.
• ER4500 Energizer/Receiver Energizer and receiver unit that powers implanted E-Mitters via generated electrical fields and receives their measurement data. Fits under standard lab cages and connects up to 32 units to a PC via USB.
• VitalView Telemetry Software PC/Windows-based telemetry data acquisition software for configuring experiments, managing hardware communications, and displaying/recording data from E-Mitter implants. Supports up to 96 data channels from up to 32 E-Mitter/ER4500 receivers, with user-defined sampling rates, epoch sizes, and export to TDMS, AWD, or CSV formats.
• In-Cage Running Wheels Low-profile stainless steel running wheel that fits inside animal cages for 24-hour voluntary activity monitoring. Filter-top compatible, cage-washing machine compatible, and fully integrated with VitalView Activity Software. No tools required for installation.
• Tecniplast Activity Cage System Activity monitoring system with Tecniplast running wheels in mouse (9.5 inch) and rat (13 inch) sizes, integrated with VitalView Activity Software for continuous activity monitoring.
• Home Cage IR Motion Detector Infrared cage-top motion sensor that uses infrared light to detect gross motor activity of animals within the cage without disturbing subjects, with a 180-degree monitoring range.
• Activity Counter Stand-alone 12-channel data acquisition system for collecting activity data without a VitalView software license or host computer. Records to USB flash drive as CSV files.
• VitalView Activity Software Data acquisition software for monitoring and recording real-time data from In-Cage Running Wheels, Tecniplast Activity Systems, and Home Cage Motion Detectors. Records up to 96 data channels with ASCII export, and AWD export compatible with Clock Lab Analysis for circadian rhythm research.
• VitalView Events Software Module and VV-DO4 Output Boxes Software module adding tools for data file annotation with time/date stamped events, external device control via output boxes, and operator notifications. Includes VV-DO4-AC-NA (120Vac), VV-DO4-AC-IEC (80-250Vac), and VV-DO4-RLY (dry-contact relay) output box options.

Quantifiable outcome

• Monitors heart rates from 90-900 bpm with clinically validated accuracy
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Philips Respironics, InccoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2013In 2013, STARR Life Sciences acquired the VitalView/E-Mitter product line from Philips Respironics. These are the same products that had been sold by Mini-Mitter and Philips Respironics for more than 35 years, representing established technology with proven market validation and customer trust.
• TecniplastcoreTechnology or IntegrationTecniplast activity cage systems are sold in conjunction with STARR's VitalView Activity Software and running wheel products. The Tecniplast Activity Cage System provides continuous activity monitoring capabilities integrated with STARR's software ecosystem.
• Hilltop LabsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a partner on the STARR website, suggesting a distribution or referral relationship for laboratory animal supplies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TSE Systems: Provides behavioral, metabolic, and physiological monitoring systems for small laboratory animals, competing with STARR in the same preclinical research purchasing cycle.
• Emka Technologies: Specializes in non-invasive physiological and cardiovascular monitoring (e.g., blood pressure, ECG) for small animals, competing directly with STARR's MouseOx Plus and telemetry solutions in preclinical research.
• Data Sciences International (DSI): A leading provider of implantable telemetry and physiological monitoring solutions for small and large animal research, making it the most direct competitor to STARR's E-Mitter telemetry and MouseOx Plus product lines.
• Columbus Instruments: Designs and manufactures metabolic, respiratory, and activity monitoring systems for small animals, overlapping directly with STARR's activity monitoring and indirect calorimetry-related offerings.
• Ugo Basile: Manufactures behavioral and physiological testing equipment for small laboratory animals, with overlapping product categories (activity, motor, and sensory monitoring) versus STARR's activity monitoring line.
• Kent Scientific: A direct competitor offering physiological monitoring, anesthesia, and vital-sign equipment specifically designed for mice, rats, and other laboratory animals used in research.

Broad incumbents

• Harvard Bioscience: A diversified life-science tools platform with Harvard Apparatus and other preclinical/behavioral brands serving many of the same academic, pharma, and CRO customers that STARR targets with small-animal monitoring equipment.
• ADInstruments: A leading provider of life-science data acquisition and analysis systems (PowerLab) that already integrates with STARR's MouseOx Plus via the STARR-Link module, and which competes for adjacent physiological monitoring budget in the same research labs.
• BIOPAC Systems: Supplies physiological data acquisition and analysis solutions used in animal and human research; overlaps with STARR's VitalView software and competes for the same research monitoring budgets.

Emerging players

• Noldus Information Technology: Provides behavioral observation, tracking, and analytics platforms for animal research; an emerging competitor leveraging computer-vision-based monitoring that could overlap with STARR's activity and telemetry workflows over time.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors2 records

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 STARR Life Sciences