Alpha MED Scientific

What Alpha MED Scientific does

Alpha MED Scientific, Inc. is a Japanese specialized electrophysiology instrumentation company headquartered in Osaka, with a laboratory facility in Ibaraki, Osaka. Founded in its current form in 2009, the firm traces its core MED Probe technology to a 1991–1996 Matsushita (Panasonic) Brain Computer Project, and the MED64 System has been on the market since 1997 as the world's first commercially available in-vitro microelectrode array (MEA) platform. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd., a diversified Japanese conglomerate, since 2016.

The company's core offering is the MED64 System family — a tiered line of planar microelectrode array systems for in vitro extracellular electrophysiology — spanning the entry-level MED64-Basic and MED64-Entry II, medium-throughput MED64-Allegro (multi-well), MED64-Quad II (dual-probe), and MED64-Plex 4/8 (multiplexer), up to the high-throughput MED64-Presto with 384 channels and carbon nanotube electrodes for 6/24/48-well MEA plates. The platform's technical differentiator is a proprietary platinum black nano-coating that lowers electrode impedance to 10 kohm at 1 kHz and increases surface area 100–200x, enabling stimulus artifact suppression within 0.5 msec. Supporting products include a refreshed integrated 64-channel amplifier (MED-A64HD1, April 2025), connectors, feedback and opto stimulators, perfusion pumps, consumable MED Probes, and a software ecosystem (Mobius, Symphony, Offline Toolkit, Burstscope, Peakmap).

Alpha MED monetizes through capital-equipment hardware sales, recurring consumable MED Probe revenue, and paid software tools requiring activation, with quotes handled via direct inquiry or a network of nine regional scientific instrument distributors across the Americas, Europe, MENA, India, and East/Southeast Asia; SCREEN Holdings handles direct sales and support in Japan and overseas since 2018 and 2020 respectively. The customer base is split between academic neuroscience and stem-cell researchers (University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Kyoto University, Stanford, Tohoku Institute of Technology) and pharmaceutical safety-pharmacology groups running iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte assays (Chugai Pharmaceutical, Eisai, Ono Pharmaceutical) across approximately 64 countries.

Name

Alpha MED Scientific

Legal name

Alpha MED Scientific, Inc.

Website

https://alphamedsci.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Alpha MED Scientific, Inc. is a Japanese subsidiary of SCREEN Holdings that develops and manufactures the MED64 microelectrode array platform for in-vitro electrophysiology, selling hardware, consumable probes, and software to academic neuroscience and pharmaceutical cardiac safety researchers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microelectrode Array (MEA) Electrophysiology Systems

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Biosensors & Lab-on-Chip (BioMEMS) (HDAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

In Vitro Model Systems & Organoid Platforms (iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems) (HLAAAIAJ), Organoids & Organ-on-Chip (regenerative models) (HLAAAGAD)

Keywords

• Microelectrode array systems
• Extracellular electrophysiology
• Cardiac safety pharmacology
• Neuroscience research instruments
• In vitro electrophysiology

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. MEA Hardware Systems: Sale of MED64 microelectrode array systems including amplifiers, connectors, probes, and accessories. Systems range from entry-level (MED64-Entry) to medium throughput (MED64-Allegro, MED64-Quad II, MED64-Plex 4/8) to high-throughput (MED64-Presto).
2. MED Probes and Consumables: MED Probes (planar microelectrode arrays) and associated accessories. Probes are placed in connectors and used with biological preparations.
3. Software Licenses and Offline Analysis Tools: Software products including Mobius control software, Symphony for Presto, MED64 Offline Toolkit, Burstscope, and Peakmap. Some paid tools require activation.
4. Technical Support Services: Technical support for MED64 System and associated products as part of core business activities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels11 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Alpha MED Scientific develops, manufactures, and provides technical support for the MED64 System, a microelectrode array (MEA) platform for in vitro extracellular electrophysiology. The portfolio includes multiple throughput configurations of MED64 hardware (entry-level to 384-channel high-throughput), MED Probe planar microelectrode consumables with proprietary platinum-black low-impedance coatings, supporting amplifiers/connectors/stimulators/perfusion accessories, and a control and offline-analysis software stack. Customers are neuroscience and cardiac-safety researchers at pharmaceutical companies, universities, and research institutions.

Product overview

Alpha MED Scientific offers the MED64 System, a comprehensive microelectrode array (MEA) platform for in vitro extracellular electrophysiology. The product portfolio includes multiple system configurations: MED64-Basic (entry-level, 64-channel), MED64-Quad II (dual-probe medium throughput), MED64-Allegro (multi-well format), MED64-Presto (high throughput, 384-channel for 6/24/48-well plates), and MED64-Plex 4/8 (multiplexed 4-8 sample acquisition). Supporting hardware includes integrated/main/head amplifiers, various connectors (MED Connector, Duet Connector, Multi-well Connector, Heated Connector), stimulators (Feedback Stimulator, Pacing Controller, Opto Stimulator), and perfusion pumps. The MED Probes are consumable planar microelectrodes with platinum black coating for low impedance. Software ecosystem includes Mobius (for Basic/Quad II/Allegro), Symphony (for Presto), and Offline Toolkit/Burstscope/Peakmap analysis tools. All systems leverage the company's proprietary low-impedance electrode technology (10 kohm at 1 kHz) developed originally by Panasonic.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MED64-Basic System Entry-level 64-channel MED64 system for in-vitro extracellular electrophysiology recordings from 64 electrodes on a MED Probe; suited to academic and pharmaceutical neuroscience and cardiac safety research labs.
• MED64-Entry II Entry-level amplifier configured to acquire signals from a pre-specified subset of 16 of the 64 electrodes on a MED Probe; lower-cost starting point for in-vitro MEA electrophysiology.
• MED64-Allegro System Medium-throughput multi-well MED64 MEA system for parallel in-vitro recordings; used with the MED Multi-well Connector and Probe.
• MED64-Quad II System Medium-throughput MED64 system supporting dual MED Probe 16 connectors for simultaneous recording from multiple samples; uses the MED Duet Connector and MED Thermo Pad.
• MED64-Plex 4/8 System Medium-throughput MED64 multiplexer system enabling time-sequenced acquisition from 4 or 8 samples via the MED64 Multiplexer.
• MED64-Presto System High-throughput MED64 system for 6-, 24-, and 48-well format MEA plates, paired with the 384-channel MED64-Presto Amplifier (MED-A384iN) featuring carbon nanotube electrodes, 0.9 µV noise level, integrated stage heater and environmental chamber for screening-scale assays in drug discovery and cardiac safety.
• MED64 Integrated Amplifier (MED-A64HD1) New 64-channel amplifier integrating main and head amplifier functions into a single unit for the MED64 platform; supports recording and up-to-200-µA current-driven stimulation across 64 channels.
• MED Probes Consumable planar microelectrode arrays embedded in a glass substrate with proprietary platinum-black coating that produces a 100–200× larger effective surface area and the industry's lowest impedance (10 kΩ at 1 kHz); used with all MED64 connectors for recording and stimulation.
• Mobius control software Control software used to operate MED64-Basic, MED64-Quad II, and MED64-Allegro systems for MEA data acquisition on Windows 10.
• Symphony control software Control software specifically for the MED64-Presto high-throughput system.
• MED16 control software Control software for the MED64-Entry System entry-level MEA platform.
• MED64 Offline Toolkit Successor to the Mobius Offline Toolkit providing offline analysis of MEA recordings, including burst analysis and peak analysis tools, with select paid tools requiring activation; available for Windows and Mac.
• MED64 Burstscope Burst analysis tool for spike timestamp data with a 30-day trial and required activation for Mobius Spike Sorter users.
• MED64 Peakmap Peak analysis tool with a 30-day trial and required activation for QT users.
• MED CellSpotter software Software tool for handling MEA plates and seeding neurons consistently onto MED Probe arrays.
• Technical support services Ongoing technical support for the MED64 System and associated products, including troubleshooting, application guidance, and continuity support for discontinued amplifiers (e.g., MED64 Main and Head Amplifiers supported until 2032). Domestic Japan and overseas support are delivered through parent SCREEN Holdings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Electrode impedance of 10 kohm at 1 kHz - the lowest in the industry
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Parent company that acquired Alpha MED Scientific in 2016. SCREEN Holdings handles domestic sales and user support services (since 2018) and overseas sales and user support services (since 2020). Alpha MED Scientific is a group company of SCREEN Holdings.
• AutoMate Scientific, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for USA, North/South America, and France. Located at 812 Page Street, Berkeley, California 94710, USA.
• Digitimer Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for UK and Ireland. Located at 37 Hydeway, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3BE, UK.
• Science Products GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland. Located at Hofheimer Straße 63, D-65719 Hofheim, Germany.
• KF Technology S.r.l.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Italy, Spain, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Located at Via Amedeo Bocchi, 84, 00125 Roma, Italy.
• TMI SYSTEMScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for India. Located at #6 & 7, 1st Floor, ISICOS Building, West of Chord Road, Industrial Town, Rajaji nagar, Bengaluru - 560010, India.
• Prime Bioscience Pte. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Singapore. Located at Block 196 Pandan Loop #06-21, Pantech Business Hub, Singapore 128 384.
• Bio-Gene Technology Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Hong Kong. Located at Unit 16, 20/F, Grandtech Centre, 8 On Ping Street, Shatin, Hong Kong.
• Sunpoint Scientific Instrument Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Taiwan. Located at 6F-2, No. 146, Wen Shing Road, Kwei Shan Hsiang, Taoyuan Hsien 333, Taiwan.
• Sang Chung Commercial Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for South Korea. Located at B-306, Munjeong SK V1 GL Metrocity Bldg., 128, Beobwon-ro, Songpa-gu (Munjeong-Dong), Seoul, 05854, Rep of Korea.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• MaxWell Biosystems: Swiss-based developer of high-density CMOS microelectrode array (MEA) chips and platforms for in-vitro electrophysiology. Directly comparable to Alpha MED in targeting neuroscience and cardiac safety researchers with MEA-based recording systems, but with a focus on higher electrode density.
• Multi Channel Systems (MCS / Harvard Bioscience): German manufacturer of microelectrode array (MEA) systems for electrophysiology research, now part of Harvard Bioscience. Closest direct competitor to Alpha MED with comparable MEA hardware and consumables for cardiac and neuroscience applications.
• Axion Biosystems: US-based provider of the Maestro MEA platform for high-throughput cardiac safety, neurotoxicology, and stem-cell-derived cell assays. Direct competitor to MED64-Presto in high-throughput MEA screening, particularly for CiPA-aligned cardiac safety applications.

Emerging players

• Nanion Technologies: German electrophysiology instrumentation company offering patch clamp (Port-a-Patch, SyncroPatch), MEA, and ion channel screening platforms. Overlaps with Alpha MED in MEA and in-vitro electrophysiology but extends into automated patch clamp for ion channel drug discovery.
• Clyde Biosciences: UK-based cardiac safety pharmacology CRO using MEA-based cardiomyocyte assays. Comparable end application (CiPA-aligned cardiac safety) to Alpha MED's pharma customer use cases, but operates as a service provider rather than instrument manufacturer.

Broad incumbents

• Sophion Bioscience (Evotec): Denmark-based automated patch clamp electrophysiology company (now part of Evotec). Targets pharmaceutical ion channel and cardiac safety screening—same end customers as Alpha MED but with a complementary (patch clamp vs MEA) measurement modality.
• Molecular Devices (Danaher): Large-scale life sciences instrumentation company owned by Danaher, offering electrophysiology, imaging, and screening platforms. Competes with Alpha MED for pharma cardiac safety and neuroscience budgets, but as one of many product categories in a broader portfolio.
• Harvard Bioscience: Parent of Multi Channel Systems and broader life sciences instrumentation group. Competes with Alpha MED via MCS in MEA electrophysiology while offering adjacent physiology research tools at greater scale.

Regional players

• AutoMate Scientific: US-based distributor of Alpha MED's MED64 system (also offers other research instrumentation). Overlaps with Alpha MED in serving the US/Americas electrophysiology research market through channel and complementary product offerings.

Others

• SCREEN Holdings (Life Sciences segment): Parent conglomerate of Alpha MED with a life sciences instrumentation presence. Indirectly comparable as the corporate umbrella that channels Alpha MED's products to market and that shapes strategic prioritization of the life sciences segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Alpha MED Scientific