Cell Systems
Cell Systems is laser focused on the development and manufacturing of the highest standard research tools for the science of cell biology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersKirkland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cell Systems does
Cell Systems is laser focused on the development and manufacturing of the highest standard research tools for the science of cell biology.
Cell Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cell Systems
- Legal name
- Cell Systems
- Website
- https://cell-systems.com/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Cell Systems is laser focused on the development and manufacturing of the highest standard research tools for the science of cell biology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cell Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cell Biology Research Tools
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cell Processing & Ancillary Materials (media, cytokines, beads, vectors, disposables) (HLAAABAH)
Keywords
Where Cell Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kirkland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cell Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Primary Human Cells: Sale of cryopreserved primary human cells from normal, site-specific human tissue. Cells are available as frozen vials, proliferating cultures in flasks, or reserved lots for long-term research. Cell types include endothelial cells, pericytes, mesangial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and others from various tissue origins.
- Cell Culture Media and Reagents: Sale of specialized cell culture media (serum-based, serum-free, and xeno-free formulations) and reagents including growth supplements, antibiotics, and cell adhesion products. Media is sold in 500mL bottles with various formulations.
- All-in-One Kits: Bundled product packages (THE SYSTEM) combining medium, Attachment Factor, growth factors, passage reagents, and cell freezing medium. Offered with online discount when purchased with primary cells.
- Primary Bovine Cells: Sale of primary bovine aortic endothelial cells, isolated from veal calf descending aortae, available as frozen vials or proliferating flasks.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Primary Human Cells |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cell Culture Media |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Reagents |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | All-in-One Kits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Primary Bovine Cells |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cell Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cell Systems develops and manufactures antibody-free primary human and bovine cells, specialized cell culture media, and reagents for cell biology research. The company isolates primary cells from normal, site-specific human tissue using proprietary centrifugal elutriation methods without antibodies, and offers an integrated ecosystem of cells, media, reagents, and all-in-one kits for research institutions, biotech, and pharmaceutical customers worldwide.
Product overview
Cell Systems is a developer and manufacturer of research tools for cell biology, offering a portfolio of antibody-free primary human and bovine cells, specialized cell culture media, and reagents. The product portfolio centers on three core offerings: (1) Primary Human Cells under the ACBRI brand, isolated directly from normal human tissue specimens without genetic modification; (2) Cell Culture Media including the new OptiCulture™ Serum-Free Medium (nutrient-rich, phenol red-free with physiological glucose), Complete Classic Medium with serum, and Complete Serum-Free Medium with RocketFuel™; and (3) Reagents including Passage Reagent Group™, Cell Freezing Medium, CultureBoost™ growth factors, Bac-Off® antibiotics, and Attachment Factor™. The company also offers All-in-One Kits branded as THE SYSTEM™ which bundle media, reagents, and growth factors together, and human tissue samples sourced through AnaBios with high RNA integrity. Founded in 1989 and acquired by AnaBios in 2023, Cell Systems serves research institutions, biotech entities, and pharmaceutical companies globally with cells optimized for 2D and 3D cultures, microfluidic devices, and co-cultures.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- OptiCulture™: Nutrient-rich, phenol red-free serum-free medium formulation featuring physiological glucose levels and customizable supplements for advanced cell-based models.
- THE SYSTEM™
- CultureBoost™
- RocketFuel™
- Passage Reagent Group™
- Attachment Factor™
- Bac-Off®
Products and services
- Primary Human Cells (ACBRI Series) Antibody-free primary human cells isolated from normal, site-specific human tissue specimens, available as frozen vials or proliferating flasks. Includes endothelial cells, pericytes, mesangial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and more from various tissue sources (eye, brain, liver, kidney, lung, heart, dermal). Cell count of approximately 1 million per vial with approximately 85% viability, intended for academic and industry research.
- Primary Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells (CSC 2B2) Pooled primary isolates from eight individual donor veal calf descending aortae. Antibody-free cells originated using Cell Systems Complete Serum-Free Medium. Available at Passage 3 with approximately 1.5 x 10^6 cells per vial, cryopreserved in Cell Systems Cell Freezing Medium, intended for research use.
- Complete Classic Medium Kit (4Z0-500) Serum-based cell culture medium formulated with modified and optimized basal DMEM/F12 (1:1), containing 10% serum by volume without phenol red. Includes Attachment Factor and CultureBoost growth supplement. Packaged in 500 mL bottles, intended for cell culture research applications.
- Complete Serum-Free Medium Kit (SF-4Z0-500) Serum-free medium kit with RocketFuel growth factor. Based on modified and optimized basal DMEM/F12 (1:1), contains Albumin but no serum. Phenol red-free option available. Packaged in 500 mL bottles, intended for cell culture research applications requiring serum-free conditions.
- OptiCulture Serum-Free Medium Nutrient-rich, phenol red-free serum-free medium featuring physiological glucose levels and customizable supplements, designed for advanced cell-based models including disease modeling (Liver-on-A-Chip, Kidney-on-A-Chip, Lung-on-A-Chip), drug screening, and barrier modeling (Blood-Brain Barrier, Blood-Retinal Barrier). Available in xeno-free (RH), recombinant (R), and brain-derived (B) formulations.
- Medium Minus Serum (4Z0-500-S, 4Z3-500-S) Medium formulations intended to be supplemented by serum to become complete. Must be supplemented with 5-20% fetal bovine serum. Do not contain serum or phenol red, intended for cell culture research.
- Passage Reagent Group (4Z0-800) Matched set of reagents for releasing cells from culture for subculture or freezing. Includes PRG-1 (EDTA-dPBS Solution), PRG-2 (Trypsin/EDTA-dPBS Solution), and PRG-3 (Trypsin Inhibitor-dPBS Solution). Minimizes damage and stress to cells during passage or freezing.
- Cell Freezing Medium (4Z0-705) Cryopreservation medium formulated for optimal cell viability upon freezing and thawing. Maintains cell functionality and health through the freezing process, intended for cryopreservation of research cell cultures.
- CultureBoost (4CB-500) Broad-spectrum mitogen containing Cell Systems bovine growth factor and porcine heparin. Qualified for use with Cell Systems media to improve performance of cell cultures, intended for cell culture research applications.
- RocketFuel (SF-4ZR-500) Broad-spectrum mitogen growth supplement designed for use with serum-free media. Contains Cell Systems bovine growth factor or recombinant human epidermal growth factor. Available in recombinant (R) form, intended for serum-free cell culture research.
- Bac-Off Antibiotic (4Z0-644) Quinolone antibiotic formulated at MIC to inhibit growth of most bacterial agents and control contamination in cell culture without harming cells. Effective concentration is 2 µg/mL, intended for use in cell culture applications.
- Attachment Factor (4Z0-201/4Z0-210) Extracellular matrix product that promotes cell attachment to tissue culture surfaces and encourages correct polarity and cytoskeletal organization. Applied before plating cells, intended for cell culture research applications.
- The System (CSS-A101) All-in-one cell growth and passage system providing convenience and consistency. Includes 2x 500mL Cell Systems Medium, 1x 100mL Attachment Factor, 2 vials Growth Factors, complete Passage Reagent Group, and 1x 50mL Cell Freezing Medium. Online special offers $200 savings when purchased with primary cells, intended for cell biology research.
- The Serum-Free System (CSS-A102) All-in-one serum-free cell culture system including complete serum-free medium kit with RocketFuel for researchers requiring absence of serum in their experiments.
- Human Tissue Samples Human tissue samples sourced through AnaBios with industry-leading RNA Integrity Number (RIN) scores. Processed using proprietary solutions minimizing ischemic injury. Available from both normal donors and donors with known medical conditions, suitable for transcriptomics, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling research.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 3000 customers worldwide
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Cell Systems
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cell Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Cell Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- AnaBios CorporationcoreIn April 2023, US-based AnaBios Corporation acquired Cell Systems to expand its human tissue and cell portfolio for research purposes. This acquisition was announced on Cell Systems' own blog as a strategic move to expand human cell offerings for drug discovery. The acquisition represents Cell Systems becoming part of AnaBios' portfolio of human tissue and cell products.
- AnaBioscoreAnaBios supplies Cell Systems with human tissue samples featuring industry-leading RNA Integrity Number (RIN) scores. AnaBios leverages a nationwide network of hospitals and organ procurement organizations with proprietary solutions that minimize ischemic and reperfusion injury to deliver gold-standard human tissue samples.
- KAC Co. LtdcoreExclusive distributor for Cell Systems products in Japan (REAGENTS BUSINESS), providing local sales, customer support, and facilitation of Japanese regulatory and customs processes.
- Fujifilm WAKO Pure Chemical Corp.coreDistributor for Cell Systems products in Japan, offering local sales and support through labchem-wako.fujifilm.com.
- CHAYONcoreDistributor for Cell Systems products in Korea, providing local sales and customer support.
- LIM & BIOSYSTEMScoreDistributor for Cell Systems products in Korea.
- CEDARLANE LABScoreDistributor for Cell Systems products in Canada, offering toll-free North America phone support.
- PELO BIOTECHcoreDistributor for Cell Systems products in Europe (Germany and surrounding regions).
- Caltag Medsystems LtdcoreDistributor for Cell Systems products in the United Kingdom.
- CliniSciencescoreEuropean distributor network with offices across Austria, Denmark, France, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, and United Kingdom.
- Ethephon Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co. LtdcoreDistributor for Cell Systems products in China, providing local sales and customer support.
- Shanghai QiDa Biological Co. LtdcoreDistributor for Cell Systems products in China.
- FUTURIS HEALTHCAREcoreDistributor for Cell Systems products in India.
- VECTOR BIOMEDcoreDistributor for Cell Systems products in Singapore.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cell Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lonza: Lonza is a global leader in primary cells, cell culture media, and bioprocessing services for pharma and research customers. Direct overlap with Cell Systems' core product lines (primary cells, media, reagents) but at vastly greater scale and broader portfolio.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific (Gibco): Through its Gibco brand, Thermo Fisher is the dominant provider of cell culture media, sera, and reagents worldwide. Competes with Cell Systems in media and reagent categories but also serves as the default vendor for many of the same academic and biotech customers.
- Corning Life Sciences: Corning provides cell culture media, extracellular matrices, and related consumables for research applications. Competes with Cell Systems in media and Attachment Factor categories but with broader portfolio spanning plastics and equipment.
- ATCC: ATCC is a global biological resource provider offering cell lines, primary cells, and microbial cultures for research. Adjacent competitor in primary cell distribution with broader catalog and stronger position in cell lines versus primary cells.
Direct peers
- PromoCell: PromoCell is a German specialty manufacturer of primary human cells, media, and reagents focused on research applications. Closest direct peer to Cell Systems in terms of product portfolio (primary cells + matched media/reagents) and customer base (academic research).
- ScienCell Research Laboratories: ScienCell specializes in primary human cells, primary cell culture media, and molecular biology reagents. Direct competitor in primary cell niche with similar focus on isolated human cells for research applications.
- Cell Applications Inc. Cell Applications develops and supplies primary cells (human and animal), cell culture media, and reagents. Closely comparable niche positioning to Cell Systems with overlapping product categories.
- ZenBio: ZenBio supplies primary cells, cell culture media, and 3D tissue models for research and drug discovery. Similar scale and customer focus to Cell Systems, with comparable primary cell and media offerings.
- iXCells Biotechnologies: iXCells provides primary human cells, iPSC-derived cells, and custom cell culture services. Direct peer in primary cell niche with emphasis on specialty and disease-relevant cell types.
Others
- AnaBios Corporation: AnaBios is the parent company that acquired Cell Systems in April 2023, supplying human tissue samples for research and drug discovery. Strategic acquirer and tissue supplier rather than direct competitor, with complementary product portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cell Systems social profiles
Digital presenceCell Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Cell Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cell Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Cell Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cell Systems 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 Cell Systems
What does Cell Systems do?
Cell Systems develops and manufactures antibody-free primary human and bovine cells, specialized cell culture media, and reagents for cell biology research. The company isolates primary cells from normal, site-specific human tissue using proprietary centrifugal elutriation methods without antibodies, and offers an integrated ecosystem of cells, media, reagents, and all-in-one kits for research institutions, biotech, and pharmaceutical customers worldwide.
Is Cell Systems a public or private company?
Cell Systems is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Cell Systems founded?
Cell Systems was founded in 1989. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Cell Systems based?
Cell Systems is headquartered in Kirkland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cell Systems make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Primary Human Cells are the primary driver. The others are cell Culture Media and Reagents, all-in-One Kits and primary Bovine Cells.
Who are Cell Systems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lonza, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Gibco), Corning Life Sciences and ATCC. Direct peers are PromoCell, ScienCell Research Laboratories, Cell Applications Inc., ZenBio and iXCells Biotechnologies. AnaBios Corporation is listed as an others.
Does Cell Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cell Systems.
What industry is Cell Systems in?
Cell Systems's product category is Cell Biology Research Tools. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAABAH, Cell Processing & Ancillary Materials (media, cytokines, beads, vectors, disposables). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.