ASKION
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersGera, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
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.
ASKION firmographics
Firmographics- 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
ASKION industry classification
Industry- 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
Where ASKION is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gera
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
ASKION business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- Own Product Sales - Laser Range Finders: Sale of DMM Series laser distance measurement modules, customizable for various applications.
- 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.
- Professional Services: Including installation, commissioning, validation, user training, and technical support services worldwide.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
ASKION product offering
Product offeringCore 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.
Companies that use ASKION
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ASKION technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
ASKION partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- RUBIN – NeuroMiR Project ConsortiumminorResearch collaboration (FKZ: 03RU1U052B) in the field of neurobiological research.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ASKION competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- 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
ASKION social profiles
Digital presenceASKION financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ASKION leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
ASKION subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
ASKION funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ASKION 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 ASKION
What does ASKION do?
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.
Is ASKION a public or private company?
ASKION is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ASKION founded?
ASKION was founded in 2005. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is ASKION based?
ASKION is headquartered in Gera, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does ASKION make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Own Product Sales - Biobanking is the primary driver. The others are own Product Sales - Fluorescence Microscopy, own Product Sales - Laser Range Finders, OEM Services and professional Services.
Who are ASKION's main competitors?
Phillips-Medisize is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Azenta Life Sciences, Thermo Fisher Scientific and MVE Biological Solutions (Chart Industries). Direct peers are Hamilton Storage, Liconic AG and Tecan Group. Micronic is listed as an emerging player. Angelantoni Life Science (ARCTIKO) is listed as a regional player.
Does ASKION have an API?
No public API is recorded for ASKION.
What industry is ASKION in?
ASKION's product category is Laboratory & Bioanalytical Equipment Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAJ, Sample Preparation, Storage & Cryogenics (Freezers, Cryovials, Cryostats), with a secondary code of HLAGAIAE, Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments. Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3841.