ASKION

What ASKION does

ASKION GmbH is a privately held German medical technology and precision engineering company headquartered in Gera, Germany, that develops, manufactures, and services devices across optoelectronics, bioanalytics, and cryobiotechnology. Founded in 2005 through a management buy-out of a former AGFA-Gevaert laboratory-equipment subsidiary (whose Gera operations date to 1994), the company employs approximately 120 people from eight nations and concentrates all production at its Gera headquarters. It operates through four business units: Biobanking (ASKION C-line® system), OEM Services, Fluorescence Microscopy (FluoS/M platform), and Laser Range Finder (DMM Series).

The company's core technology combines optoelectronic and precision-mechanical engineering. The ASKION C-line® is a modular, automated, scalable biobanking system for controlled freezing and LN2-based long-term storage of biological samples at temperatures below -150°C, launched in 2009; the company positions itself among the world's leading providers in this segment with numerous international installations. The FluoS/M platform is an automated fluorescence microscopy system supporting up to four fluorescence channels and interchangeable objectives, sold as a white-label product. The DMM Series comprises high-precision laser distance-measurement modules customizable in measuring frequency, pulse energy, and data interface. The OEM Services division develops and manufactures bioanalytical and medical devices for established medical technology companies from concept through series production.

ASKION monetizes primarily through hardware sales of its proprietary product lines, OEM development and manufacturing services, and worldwide professional services (installation, commissioning, validation, training, and technical support). Its go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise field-sales oriented, complemented by an OEM/white-label embedded model; the company maintains wholly-owned sales subsidiaries in the USA and China alongside its German manufacturing base. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and appears quote-based, reflecting custom and enterprise-oriented sales. Customer segments are vertical: biobanks and biorepositories, OEM medical technology companies, research laboratories, and laser range finder manufacturers.

Name

ASKION

Legal name

ASKION GmbH

Website

https://askion.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ASKION is a German medical technology firm developing and manufacturing cryogenic biobanking systems, fluorescence microscopy platforms, laser distance-measurement modules, and OEM devices for biobanks, research labs, and medical technology companies worldwide, with manufacturing in Gera and sales subsidiaries in the USA and China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory & Bioanalytical Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Sample Preparation, Storage & Cryogenics (Freezers, Cryovials, Cryostats) (HLAGAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE), General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens) (HLAGAIAC)

Keywords

• Cryogenic biobanking systems
• OEM medical device manufacturing
• Automated fluorescence microscopy
• Laser distance measurement modules
• Optoelectronic device development

Headquarters

HQ city

Gera

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Own Product Sales - Biobanking: Sale of ASKION C-line® biobanking systems for controlled freezing and automated storage of biological samples. The company is among the world's leading providers in this segment with numerous international installations.
2. Own Product Sales - Fluorescence Microscopy: Sale of FluoS/M-Platform automated fluorescence microscopes as white-label products, allowing customers to sell under their own brand.
3. Own Product Sales - Laser Range Finders: Sale of DMM Series laser distance measurement modules, customizable for various applications.
4. OEM Services: Development and manufacturing services for well-known medical technology companies, from concept to series production. Long-term experience in developing bioanalytical and medical devices and assemblies.
5. Professional Services: Including installation, commissioning, validation, user training, and technical support services worldwide.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ASKION develops, manufactures, and services devices primarily in optoelectronics and cryobiotechnology. The company operates four business units: the ASKION C-line® modular biobanking system for automated cryogenic storage of biological samples below -150°C, OEM development and manufacturing services for medical technology companies, the FluoS/M automated fluorescence microscopy platform offered as white-label, and the DMM Series of customizable laser distance measurement modules. All production is carried out at the Gera, Germany headquarters, with sales subsidiaries in the USA and China supporting global customers.

Product overview

ASKION offers a portfolio of four distinct product lines: the ASKION C-line® System for cryogenic biobanking and automated sample storage at temperatures below -150°C; the FluoS/M Platform for automated fluorescence microscopy with configurable fluorescence channels and objectives; DMM Series laser distance measurement modules for range-finding applications; and OEM Services providing end-to-end development and manufacturing of medical and bioanalytical devices. The company operates from concept through series production, serving both as an OEM partner for established medical technology firms and as a provider of proprietary products to the market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ASKION C-line®: Next-generation biobanking system with modular design, automation capabilities and scalability for biobanking, biorepositories and LN2-based sample collections.
• DMM Series
• FluoS/M Platform

Products and services

• ASKION C-line® System A next-generation modular biobanking system with automation capabilities and scalability for biobanks, biorepositories, and LN2-based sample collections. Provides high-quality long-term storage of medical and biological samples at temperatures below -150°C. For biobanks, biorepositories, and cryogenic sample collections worldwide.
• FluoS/M Platform Platform for automated fluorescence microscopy supporting a wide range of sample formats, with up to four fluorescence channels and changeable microscope objectives. Offered as a white-label product so customers can sell automated fluorescence microscopes under their own brand. For research laboratories and OEM partners.
• DMM Series Laser Distance Measurement Modules High-precision laser modules for distance measurement with excellent technical properties and a unique cost-benefit ratio. Customizable with respect to measuring frequency, pulse energy, and data interface. For integration by laser range finder manufacturers and industrial measurement system integrators.
• OEM Services Comprehensive end-to-end development and manufacturing services for bioanalytical and medical technology devices and assemblies, from initial idea through pre-series to series production. For established medical technology companies seeking specialized development expertise and manufacturing capacity.

Named customers2 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• RUBIN – NeuroMiR Project ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration (FKZ: 03RU1U052B) in the field of neurobiological research.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Phillips-Medisize: Contract design and manufacturing organization for medical and diagnostic devices, comparable to ASKION's OEM development-to-series-production services though not focused on biobanking.

Broad incumbents

• Azenta Life Sciences: Formerly Brooks Life Sciences, a leading provider of automated cold/cryogenic sample storage and biobanking systems — directly overlapping with ASKION's C-line® biobanking business at far larger scale.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global life-science tools leader offering ultra-low/cryogenic freezers, sample storage, and fluorescence microscopy — overlapping multiple ASKION product lines as part of a far broader portfolio.
• MVE Biological Solutions (Chart Industries): Leading supplier of LN2-based cryogenic freezers and storage systems, directly comparable to ASKION's LN2 sub -150°C sample storage segment.

Direct peers

• Hamilton Storage: Builds automated sample storage and management systems for biobanks and biorepositories, competing head-to-head with ASKION's automated cryogenic storage offering.
• Liconic AG: Liechtenstein-based maker of automated cryogenic and cold sample storage systems for biobanking, a close European competitor to ASKION's C-line®.
• Tecan Group: Operates a partnering/OEM business developing and manufacturing lab instruments for medtech and diagnostics brands, mirroring ASKION's OEM services and white-label instrument model.

Emerging players

• Micronic: Provides sample storage tubes, racks, and automation for biobanks; overlaps with ASKION's automated biospecimen storage and handling niche.

Regional players

• Angelantoni Life Science (ARCTIKO): European manufacturer of ultra-low temperature and cryogenic storage equipment for biobanking, comparable to ASKION's cold-storage product line but with different geographic focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=askion
• Facebookfacebook.com/445356842245225
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/askion-gmbh-oem-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 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 ASKION