What Linkage Biosciences does

Linkage Biosciences is a San Francisco-based molecular diagnostics company, founded in 2004, that develops and commercializes PCR-based genetic testing products targeting transplant compatibility and transfusion medicine workflows. Its core technology platform, branded LinkSēq, applies SYBR Green Real-Time PCR chemistry to deliver low-resolution genotyping for 11 HLA loci (Class I and II), full KIR gene typing (15 genes plus 2 pseudogenes), and blood group genotyping (RH, ABO, HPA), with specific-allele marker kits for targeted tests such as B27 and B*57:01. The platform is differentiated by a streamlined workflow producing results in as little as 90 minutes with approximately 10 minutes of hands-on time, an all-in-one kit design, and an integrated Wipe Test for pre-amplification contamination monitoring that aligns with ASHI and EFI laboratory standards. Distribution is handled exclusively through Thermo Fisher Scientific under the One Lambda transplant solutions portfolio, leveraging Thermo Fisher's global enterprise field sales organization and quote-based, multi-year contract pricing. End customers are high-throughput clinical laboratories, transplant centers, and targeted genetic testing laboratories requiring rapid, reproducible HLA, KIR, and blood group typing. The company has raised approximately $12.6M across seven disclosed funding rounds between 2007 and 2013 from a syndicate of small venture investors (Fisher Capital, GHC Partners, Big Sky Partners), and now operates with a headcount of 11-50 employees as a product line within Thermo Fisher's transplant diagnostics franchise.

Name

Linkage Biosciences

Legal name

Linkage Biosciences

Website

https://linkagebio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Linkage Biosciences develops the LinkSēq line of SYBR Green real-time PCR genotyping kits for rapid HLA, KIR, and blood group typing, serving clinical laboratories and transplant centers via exclusive distribution through Thermo Fisher Scientific's One Lambda portfolio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Molecular Diagnostics Reagents

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Molecular & Genetic Testing (PCR/NGS/qPCR) (HLAGADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/qPCR, NGS-based assays) (HLAAALAA), Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/NAAT/NGS-based IVD) (HLAHAAAD)

Keywords

• Molecular diagnostics kits
• HLA genotyping reagents
• Real-time PCR assays
• Transplant testing kits
• KIR typing products

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

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. PCR Typing Kit Sales: Sale of molecular diagnostic reagents and kits for HLA typing, KIR typing, and blood genotyping applications. Products include LinkSēq HLA Typing Kits, LinkSēq HLA-Specific Genetic Markers, LinkSēq KIR Typing Kits, and ancillary products like LinkSēq Wipe Test. Revenue generated through product sales to clinical laboratories and transplant centers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Linkage Biosciences develops and commercializes molecular diagnostic kits and reagents for genetic testing, with a primary focus on HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) typing and KIR (Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor) genotyping used in transplantation and immunogenetics. The company's core product line, LinkSeq, applies proprietary SYBR Green Real-Time PCR technology to deliver sequence-specific oligonucleotide-based genotyping for clinical laboratories and transplant centers.

Product overview

Linkage Biosciences, now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, offers the LinkSēq product line — a suite of real-time PCR-based genotyping kits for transplant diagnostics. The portfolio includes HLA Typing Kits for comprehensive 11-locus genotyping (Class I and II), HLA-Specific Genetic Markers for targeted allele typing (B27, B*57:01), KIR Typing Kits for NK cell receptor gene analysis, and Blood Typing Kits for RH/ABO/HPA blood group systems. All products use SYBR Green chemistry and are designed for rapid 90-minute turnaround with minimal hands-on time. The LinkSēq platform is complemented by ancillary products including the Wipe Test for contamination monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LinkSēq HLA Typing Kits: High throughput molecular detection kits for HLA genotyping of Class I and II loci including HLA A, B, C, DRB1, DRB345, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1, and DPB1, as well as common null alleles.
• LinkSēq KIR Typing Kits
• LinkSēq Blood Genotyping Kits
• LinkSēq Wipe Test

Products and services

• LinkSeq HLA Typing Kits

Quantifiable outcome

• Results delivered in as little as 90 minutes for Class I and II HLA loci typing
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Thermo Fisher ScientificcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLinkSeq product line is distributed and sold through Thermo Fisher Scientific under the One Lambda transplant solutions portfolio. The products are branded as Thermo Fisher offerings while maintaining the LinkSeq technology platform. This represents a core distribution partnership where Thermo Fisher handles global commercial distribution of Linkage Biosciences' molecular typing products.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ProImmun: ProImmun provides HLA typing kits and related transplant diagnostics reagents in European markets, serving similar clinical lab customers with PCR-based typing products.

Direct peers

• CareDx: CareDx is a transplant-focused molecular diagnostics company offering HLA typing and post-transplant surveillance tests, serving the same transplant center customers as Linkage Biosciences.
• Immucor: Immucor specializes in transfusion and transplant diagnostics, including molecular blood typing kits (RH, ABO, HPA), directly overlapping with LinkSēq's blood genotyping product line.
• Inno-Train Diagnostik: Inno-Train develops HLA typing kits and reagents for transplant diagnostics, including SSP and SBT methods, competing head-to-head with Linkage Biosciences' LinkSēq product line in HLA genotyping workflows.
• GenDx (Eurobio Scientific): GenDx is a leading developer of HLA and KIR typing reagents based on SSP and NGS chemistries, directly competing with LinkSēq's HLA and KIR typing kits for transplant diagnostics market share among clinical laboratories.

Broad incumbents

• One Lambda (Thermo Fisher Scientific): One Lambda is the established HLA/transplant diagnostics brand under Thermo Fisher that distributes LinkSēq products and competes with broader SSO/SSP and NGS-based transplant typing portfolios.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad provides molecular diagnostics products including HLA typing reagents and real-time PCR instruments, overlapping with LinkSēq's PCR-based genotyping workflow and clinical laboratory customers.
• Qiagen: Qiagen is a broad molecular diagnostics and sample-preparation incumbent offering HLA and genetic testing reagents that compete in the same clinical laboratory workflows as LinkSēq PCR kits.
• Becton Dickinson (BD): BD offers a broad molecular diagnostics and clinical laboratory portfolio including HLA and infectious disease testing reagents that intersect with LinkSēq's transplant diagnostics customer base.
• Hologic: Hologic is a diversified molecular diagnostics company whose transplant and blood screening products compete with Linkage Biosciences' HLA and blood genotyping kits in hospital and reference lab settings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LinkageBio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/linkage-biosciences

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Linkage Biosciences