Aurora Biomed

What Aurora Biomed does

Aurora Biomed Inc. is a privately held laboratory automation company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, that designs and manufactures instruments, consumables, and contract services for life science and analytical laboratories. The company's core technology platform is the VERSA Series of automated liquid handling workstations (VERSA 10, VERSA 110, and VERSA 1100), controlled by the proprietary VERSAware Plus software, which together address nucleic acid extraction, PCR plate setup, NGS library preparation, microarray spotting, and solid-phase extraction workflows. Aurora also commercializes the Ion Channel Reader (ICR8000 Series), a high-throughput ion flux screening platform based on Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy that is differentiated in cardiac safety and drug discovery applications, alongside Atomic Absorption and Atomic Fluorescence (LUMINA) spectrometers, a microwave digestion system, real-time PCR instruments (UltraFast QPCR FQ-8A, bCUBE), the ADNap 20 automated nucleic acid extractor, OEM components, and a consumables line that includes pipette tips, SPE columns, viral RNA extraction kits, and SARS-CoV-2/IAV/IBV PCR kits. The company also sells COVID-19 rapid antigen tests and a fentanyl/xylazine residue test, and offers contract assay services for ion channel screening, cardiomyocyte contractility, and cardiac safety.

Aurora generates revenue primarily through one-time hardware sales of instruments and platforms, with ancillary revenue from consumables, reagents, OEM components, and contract assay services. Pricing is quote-based with direct consultation rather than published list pricing. The company sells globally through a direct enterprise sales motion with North American and Asian support, serving pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies (Roche, Pfizer, Gilead Sciences, Xenon Pharmaceuticals), academic and medical research institutions (University of Waterloo, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Simon Fraser University, Stony Brook University, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, NIH), forensic and law enforcement laboratories (DNA Labs International, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff), public health and certification bodies (WHO, Bureau Veritas), commercial testing labs (ACM Global Laboratories, Exact Sciences), and inspection agencies (Nantong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau). The company maintains thought leadership in ion channel research through the annual Precision Medicine & Ion Channel Retreat (PMICR), which has run for over 16 years with sponsors including Charles River, Icagen, Nanion, Sophion, WuXi AppTec, and Genome British Columbia.

Name

Aurora Biomed

Legal name

Aurora Biomed Inc.

Website

https://aurorabiomed.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aurora Biomed is a Vancouver-based laboratory automation company that designs VERSA liquid handling workstations, ICR8000 ion channel readers, atomic spectrometers, PCR systems, consumables, and diagnostic tests, serving pharmaceutical, biotech, forensic, clinical, academic, and government laboratories worldwide through direct enterprise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Automation Equipment

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation (Pipettes, Robots, Workstations) (HLAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB), Lab Automation, Instrument Control & Workflow Orchestration Software (HLAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Laboratory automation
• Liquid handling workstations
• Ion channel screening
• Atomic absorption spectrometry
• Nucleic acid extraction

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Automation Equipment Sales: Sale of automated liquid handling workstations (VERSA Series), atomic absorption/fluorescence spectrometers, ion channel readers, and associated instruments. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales with potential for recurring consumables and service revenue.
2. Consumables and Reagents: Sale of pipette tips, solid phase extraction columns and plates, viral RNA extraction kits, SARS-CoV-2/IAV/IBV one-step PCR kits, and other consumables that complement the instrument platforms.
3. Assay Services: Contract services for ion channel and transporter screening, contractility assays for cardiomyocytes, and cardiac safety and function assays for preclinical drug discovery research.
4. Rapid Test Kits: Sale of COVID-19 rapid test kits (Canada and USA variants) and fentanyl/xylazine residue tests for diagnostics and forensic applications.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aurora Biomed designs, develops and manufactures laboratory automation solutions — including automated liquid handling workstations, ion channel readers, atomic absorption and fluorescence spectrometers, real-time PCR systems, nucleic acid extraction systems, microarray spotters, microwave digestion systems, and mass spectrometry sample-preparation workstations — together with proprietary control software and a proprietary line of consumables, reagent kits and diagnostic assays (including COVID-19 and fentanyl/xylazine residue tests). The company also supplies OEM/private-label components and performs contract assay services for genomics, proteomics, drug discovery, forensic and elemental analysis applications.

Product overview

Aurora Biomed offers a comprehensive laboratory automation portfolio centered on the VERSA Series automated liquid handling workstations (VERSA 10, VERSA 110, VERSA 1100), controlled by proprietary VERSAware Plus software. The product line encompasses automated nucleic acid extraction systems (ADNap 20), microarray spotters, sample preparation for mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis instruments including LUMINA Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometers, Atomic Absorption Spectrometers, and Microwave Digestion Systems. The company also provides specialized ion channel screening technology (Ion Channel Reader ICR8000 Series) for drug discovery applications, PCR instruments (UltraFast QPCR FQ-8A, bCUBE), and a range of consumables including pipette tips, SPE columns/plates, extraction kits, and PCR reagents. Assay services including ion channel screening, contractility assays, and cardiac safety testing complement the product portfolio. Rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19 and drug residues round out the offerings for healthcare, forensic, pharmaceutical, and environmental testing markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VERSA Series: Automated liquid handling workstations including VERSA 10, VERSA 110, and VERSA 1100 models for genomic, proteomic, and forensic applications.
• LUMINA
• Ion Channel Reader (ICR)
• ADNap
• VERSAware Plus

Products and services

• VERSA Series Automated Liquid Handling Workstations (VERSA 10 / VERSA 110 / VERSA 1100) Family of configurable automated liquid handling workstations (10-, 110- and 1100-deck configurations) paired with VERSAware Plus control software for genomics, proteomics, drug discovery, sample preparation and general liquid handling workflows in research and clinical laboratories.
• ADNap 20 Nucleic Acid Extraction System Automated workstation for nucleic acid extraction from biological samples, used by clinical, forensic and research laboratories to streamline DNA/RNA isolation.
• ICR8000 Ion Channel Reader Automated ion channel screening reader used in drug discovery and cardiac safety pharmacology to evaluate compounds against voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels.
• LUMINA Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer (AFS) Atomic fluorescence spectrometer used by environmental, food-safety, mining/metallurgy and industrial QC laboratories for trace-level elemental analysis.
• Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) Atomic absorption spectrometer used for elemental analysis in environmental testing, food safety, mining/metallurgy, and industrial quality-control laboratories.
• Microwave Digestion System Microwave digestion system used to prepare samples for elemental analysis by atomic absorption or atomic fluorescence spectrometry.
• UltraFast QPCR (FQ-8A) Real-Time PCR System Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) system used for gene-expression analysis, pathogen detection and molecular biology research in research and clinical laboratories.
• bCUBE Real-Time PCR Machine Real-time PCR instrument for molecular biology research and diagnostic applications requiring compact, bench-top qPCR capability.
• Microarray Spotter Instrument for printing microarrays used in genomics and molecular biology research laboratories to prepare DNA, protein or other biological microarrays.
• Sample Preparation Workstation for Mass Spectrometry Automated workstation that prepares samples for downstream mass spectrometry analysis in proteomics, clinical and analytical chemistry laboratories.
• OEM Components and Private-Label Instruments OEM and private-label supply of laboratory automation components and instruments supplied to third parties for resale or integration into partner products.
• Assay / Contract Research Services Contract assay and research services performed using Aurora Biomed’s VERSA workstations, ion channel readers, nucleic acid extraction and PCR platforms on behalf of pharmaceutical, biotech, clinical and research clients.
• Pipette Tips and Disposable Liquid Handling Consumables Disposable pipette tips and related liquid handling consumables designed for use with VERSA workstations and other Aurora automated platforms.
• SPE Columns and Plates Solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns and plates used for sample cleanup and preparation in analytical, clinical, forensic and environmental laboratories.
• AB Magpure Viral RNA Extraction Kit Magnetic bead-based kit for extraction of viral RNA (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) from clinical and research samples, used on Aurora’s automated extraction workstations and compatible third-party systems.
• SARS-CoV-2/IAV/IBV One-Step PCR Kit One-step real-time RT-PCR kit designed for simultaneous or parallel detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and influenza B in clinical and research molecular diagnostics laboratories.
• COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Kits Rapid antigen test kits for point-of-care and laboratory detection of SARS-CoV-2, intended for use in clinical and screening settings.
• Fentanyl/Xylazine Residue Rapid Test Rapid test for the detection of fentanyl and xylazine residues, used by forensic, public safety, harm-reduction and analytical laboratories.

Quantifiable outcome

• VERSA 10 automated workstation saves a week of work per month for genotyping workflows
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Promega CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationPromega's PowerPlex Fusion 6C Amplification Kit has been validated and automated on Aurora's VERSA Series workstations (VERSA 10, VERSA 110, VERSA 1100) for forensic DNA analysis workflows. This integration enables automated STR amplification and genetic profiling for human identification applications.
• World Health Organization (WHO)minorOthersWHO has utilized Aurora Biomed products as part of global health initiatives, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic response.
• IcagencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond sponsor of the Precision Medicine & Ion Channel Retreat (PMICR), co-hosted by Aurora Biomed. Icagen specializes in ion channel and transporter discovery services, aligning with Aurora's ion channel technology focus.
• Nanion TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze sponsor of PMICR, Nanion provides electrophysiology and patch clamp automation systems. Shared focus on ion channel research and drug discovery screening technologies.
• Sophion BiosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze sponsor of PMICR, Sophion provides automated patch clamp platforms for ion channel drug discovery screening.
• Fluxion BiosciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze sponsor of PMICR, Fluxion provides ion flux and cellular analysis solutions for drug discovery.
• MaxCyteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze sponsor of PMICR, MaxCyte provides electroporation technology for cellular engineering and drug discovery.
• Charles River LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram sponsor of PMICR, Charles River provides preclinical drug discovery services including cardiac safety assessment.
• WuXi AppTeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of PMICR 2018 held in Guangzhou, WuXi AppTec provides comprehensive pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D services.
• Genome British ColumbiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia sponsor of PMICR, supporting genomic research initiatives in British Columbia.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• QIAGEN: Global life-science tools leader with a deep sample-preparation and automated nucleic acid extraction portfolio. Cited alongside Aurora as a U.S. lab automation key player; broader but overlapping on nucleic acid workflows.
• Agilent Technologies: Major analytical instrument and life-science tools company covering spectroscopy, automation, and genomics. Overlaps with Aurora's atomic spectroscopy and sample-preparation product lines.
• PerkinElmer (Revvity): Diversified life-science and diagnostics platform with significant lab automation and analytical instrument offerings (atomic spectroscopy, automation). Competes with Aurora's elemental analysis and screening products.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Largest life-sciences tools platform covering liquid handling, PCR, spectroscopy, and screening. Identified as a key lab automation competitor to Aurora with materially greater R&D and distribution scale.
• Danaher (Beckman Coulter): Diversified life-sciences parent of Beckman Coulter, with strong positions in lab automation, liquid handling, and biopharma workflow solutions. Competes with Aurora across pharma and clinical end markets.

Direct peers

• Hamilton Company: U.S./Swiss manufacturer of automated liquid handling robots (Microlab STAR, NIMBUS) and laboratory workstations. Direct competitor in mid- to high-throughput sample preparation across pharma and biotech.
• Tecan: Swiss leader in automated liquid handling workstations and laboratory automation. Competes head-to-head with Aurora's VERSA Series in genomics, drug discovery, and clinical diagnostics workflows.
• BMG LABTECH: Specialist microplate reader manufacturer for drug discovery and assay screening. Cited alongside Aurora as a lab automation key player; comparable in serving ion-channel and cell-based assay customers.
• Hudson Robotics: U.S. lab automation specialist in plate handling, liquid handling, and integrated workstations. Competes directly with Aurora in genomic and pharmaceutical workflows; cited alongside Aurora as a key automation player.
• Eppendorf: German lab equipment manufacturer offering automated pipetting systems (epMotion) plus consumables. Competes with Aurora VERSA in genomics and academic research labs worldwide.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aurora-biomed
• Xx.com/AuroraBiomed

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Aurora Biomed