Gene Link

What Gene Link does

Gene Link, Inc. is a privately held US biotechnology company founded in 1993 and headquartered in Elmsford, New York, that specializes in custom oligonucleotide synthesis and related molecular biology research tools. The company manufactures and sells custom DNA, RNA, and modified oligonucleotides (including long oligos of 180–250 nucleotides, Morpholino and Thio-Morpholino constructs, and fluorescently labeled probes) alongside siRNA duplexes, gene detection kits for triple-repeat disorders, PCR reagents, nucleic acid purification systems, and gene construction services. Technically, the firm's core platform is bench-scale custom synthesis with proprietary fluorescent-dye processing methods, multiple purification options (PAGE, RPC, HPLC), and stringent per-oligo coupling-efficiency and gel-electrophoresis quality control; it also licenses third-party technologies such as Molecular Beacons (PHRI) and BHQ/CAL Fluor/Quasar dyes (Biosearch Technologies).

The business model is direct-to-researcher B2B, executed primarily through the company's e-commerce website and supplemented by email ordering, Excel-based bulk uploads, and quote requests. Revenue is generated on a per-order, pay-as-you-go basis with no subscription or contracted-revenue component, and pricing varies by synthesis scale, modification complexity, and purification level; flagship offerings include the Guaranteed RNAi Explorer kit (70% silencing guarantee) and Thio-Morpholino Oligos. Customer segments are primarily academic and commercial life science researchers, with secondary exposure to genetic testing laboratories and pharmaceutical/biotech R&D groups. The product portfolio is organized around the branded sub-lines RNAi Explorer, SmartBase, Omni-Pure, Omni-Clean, Genemer, GeneProber, GScan, PCRProber, GeneAssays, and SPCT, supported by free web-based design and calculation tools that function as top-of-funnel demand capture.

Gene Link is independently operated with no disclosed parent company, institutional investors, or external funding, and operates with 1–10 employees out of a single Elmsford, NY facility, shipping globally on a F.O.B. basis. The firm has filed at least one patent application (WO2019060522, thiomorpholino oligonucleotides for muscular dystrophy) and relies on long-term inbound technology licenses for key probe chemistries, indicating a strategy of defending niche technical positions rather than scaling through capital or acquisition.

Name

Gene Link

Legal name

Gene Link, Inc.

Website

https://genelink.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gene Link is a US-based custom oligonucleotide manufacturer founded in 1993 that supplies DNA, RNA, modified oligos, siRNA, fluorescent probes, and gene detection kits directly to life science researchers worldwide via e-commerce, with specialty in long oligos and Morpholino modifications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Oligonucleotide Synthesis & Molecular Biology Reagents

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

RNA Manufacturing & CMC (oligo synthesis, IVT, purification, formulation, QC) (HLAAADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

RNA Chemistry & Oligonucleotide Engineering (backbones, modifications, stereochemistry) (HLAAADAE), Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF), Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE)

Keywords

• Custom oligonucleotide synthesis
• Fluorescent molecular probes
• RNA interference reagents
• Gene detection kits
• Morpholino antisense oligos

Headquarters

HQ city

Elmsford

HQ country

United States

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. Custom Oligonucleotide Synthesis: Gene Link manufactures and sells custom oligonucleotides including DNA, RNA, and modified oligos on a per-order basis. Pricing is based on synthesis scale, modification type, and purification level. This is the core revenue stream.
2. siRNA and RNAi Products: Standard and modified siRNA duplexes sold at various purity levels (standard, RPC purified, PAGE purified) with scales from 2nmol to 15umol. Includes Guaranteed RNAi Explorer kits with 70% silencing guarantee.
3. Genetic Tools and Reagents: DNA and RNA purification systems (Omni-Clean, Omni-Pure), molecular weight markers, PCR reagents, enzymes, and buffers sold as kits or individual reagents.
4. GeneAssays and Detection Kits: Custom and catalog gene detection products including Genemer kits, GScan kits, GeneProber probes, and SPCT (Synthetic Positive Control Templates) for genotyping applications.
5. Gene Construction Services: Custom gene construction service providing synthesized gene constructs from 1000 to over 3000 base pairs, including oligo design, synthesis, purification, ligation, cloning and sequencing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gene Link manufactures and sells custom DNA, RNA, and modified oligonucleotides (including Morpholino and Thio-Morpholino oligos up to 250mer), fluorescent molecular probes, siRNA/RNAi products, gene detection kits for triple repeat disorders, Omni-series nucleic acid purification reagents, PCR amplification reagents, and synthetic positive control templates, primarily for academic and commercial life science researchers. The company also provides gene construction services synthesizing full gene constructs from 1,000 to over 3,000 base pairs.

Product overview

Gene Link is a custom oligonucleotide synthesis company offering a comprehensive portfolio of DNA/RNA products and services for molecular biology research. The core offering centers on custom oligonucleotide synthesis (DNA, RNA, and modified oligos including Morpholino oligos), complemented by specialized product lines including Fluorescent Molecular Probes (Molecular Beacons, TaqMan probes), RNAi Explorer siRNA products, Gene Detection Systems for triple-repeat disorders, and the Omni-series DNA/RNA purification reagents. Gene Link also provides gene construction services, synthetic positive control templates (SPCT), GeneAssays custom expression analysis services, and internal bioinformatics design tools. The product architecture is organized around custom synthesis as the primary capability, with supporting reagent kits, detection systems, and services forming an integrated molecular biology workflow solution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RNAi Explorer: Web-based siRNA design tool and product line for RNA interference research.
• SmartBase
• Omni-Pure
• Omni-Clean
• Genemer
• GeneProber
• GScan
• PCRProber
• GeneAssays
• Guaranteed RNAi Explorer
• RT-PCRmer
• OligoProber

Products and services

• Custom Oligonucleotide Synthesis (DNA & RNA) Custom synthesis of DNA and RNA oligonucleotides including long oligos (180-250mer), with monitoring of coupling efficiency during synthesis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis quality control after processing. Sold to academic and commercial life science researchers via direct e-commerce.
• Modified Oligonucleotides Complex DNA and RNA oligonucleotide modifications including phosphorothioates, biotin, fluorescent dyes, minor bases, and specialized chemistries for antisense and siRNA applications, with unit pricing from approximately $3.50 to $65.00 per base depending on modification and scale.
• Morpholino Oligos (PMO) including Thio-Morpholino Oligos (TMO) Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligos (PMOs) and proprietary Thio-Morpholino Oligos (TMO-A) for antisense applications and siRNA constructs, providing enhanced nuclease resistance and duplex stability. Pricing of TMO-A ranges $210-$1,110 by scale, with discounts for multi-site modifications.
• Fluorescent Molecular Probes Fluorescent primers and probes including Molecular Beacons, TaqMan probes, and dye-quencher combinations (FAM, HEX, TET, Cy3, Cy5, ROX, TAMRA, BHQ, CAL Fluor, Quasar) for real-time PCR and hybridization assays. Synthesized using Gene Link's proprietary methods for superior quality.
• RNAi Explorer siRNA Products siRNA duplexes for RNA interference research at standard, RPC-purified and PAGE-purified purity levels (98-100% pure). Includes SmartBase modified siRNA and the Guaranteed RNAi Explorer Kit offering a 70% gene-silencing guarantee or free replacement.
• shRNA Explorer Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) products and design support for gene silencing applications, complementing the siRNA portfolio within the RNA interference product line.
• Gene Detection Systems (Genemer, GeneProber, PCRProber, GScan Kits) Non-radioactive genotyping kits for triple repeat disorders (Fragile X, Huntington Disease, Myotonic Dystrophy, Friedreich's Ataxia), sickle cell disease detection, and infectious disease detection (HIV, HBV, HCV, MTB, WNV). Chemiluminescent, fluorescent, and gel-based detection chemistries are offered.
• PCR Amplification & Analysis Reagents PCR reagents including Taq DNA Polymerase, PCR kits, master mixes, buffers, dNTPs, and additives for PCR optimization, sold for molecular biology amplification workflows.
• Omni-Pure DNA/RNA Purification Systems Plasmid, genomic, viral, microbial, and plant DNA/RNA purification kits under the Omni-Pure brand, with pricing ranging from $176 (100 purifications) to $908 (1000 purifications) for genomic blood DNA, for example.
• Omni-Clean DNA Concentration & Gel Purification Systems DNA concentration and gel purification systems under the Omni-Clean brand for cleanup of nucleic acid samples prior to downstream applications.
• GeneAssays Custom Gene Expression Analysis Custom gene expression analysis service covering PCR, RT-PCR, QPCR, NASBA, and RNA ELISA, with detection chemistries including gel electrophoresis, SYBR green, TaqMan, Molecular Beacon, and FRET probes. Custom SNP Genotyping Assays range from $410 (800 reactions, Small) to $1,175 (6,400 reactions, Large).
• Synthetic Positive Control Templates (SPCT) Custom synthetic oligonucleotide templates (up to 250mer) for use as positive controls in PCR and qPCR applications, including DME (Drug Metabolizing Enzyme) TaqMan assay SPCT for pharmacogenomics SNP genotyping.
• Gene Construction Service Custom gene synthesis service using overlapping oligonucleotides (80-100mer with sticky overhangs) to construct full gene sequences from 1,000 to over 3,000 base pairs, including oligo design, synthesis, purification, ligation, cloning, and sequencing. Pricing $7-$11 per base pair.
• Omni-cDNA Pooled first-strand cDNA prepared from human, mouse, rat, and guinea pig tissues for RT-PCR applications.
• Omni-mRNA Pooled reference mRNA amplified from various tissues, compatible with all labeling and detection systems including microarray applications.
• Omni-Marker / GScan Fluorescent Dye-labeled Markers DNA molecular weight markers (Universal and Low, 50bp to 10kb) for PCR gels and sequencing, and fluorescent dye-labeled size standards for precise fragment sizing on genetic analyzers in microsatellite, SNP, and triple repeat analysis.
• Omni-Array mRNA Amplification System Global mRNA amplification system compatible with all labeling and detection chemistries for microarray gene expression analysis.
• Adaptors, Linkers, Stock Primers, RT-PCRmer, OligoProber, Random Primers Catalogue cloning and labeling reagents: pre-annealed duplex adaptors with restriction site cohesive ends, synthetic palindromic linkers for introducing restriction sites, oligo dT and random primers, fluorescent dye-labeled stock primers (FAM, HEX, TET, Cy3, Cy5, ROX), RT-PCRmer primer sets for beta-actin/GAPDH/beta-2 microglobulin from human/mouse/rat, and OligoProber hybridization probes (5'OH for 32P labeling or 3' biotin/digoxigenin).
• DNA & RNA Precipitation/Reconstitution Solutions Nucleic acid precipitation solutions (glycogen, linear acrylamide, LiCl, sodium/potassium/ammonium acetate) and reconstitution solutions (TE buffer, nuclease-free water) for sample preparation workflows.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% minimum gene silencing guarantee with at least one siRNA duplex in Guaranteed RNAi Explorer kit, or free replacement set provided
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Biosearch Technologies, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationBiosearch Technologies supplies Gene Link with BHQ (Black Hole Quencher), CAL Fluor, and Quasar dye technologies under license agreement. These proprietary fluorescent dyes and quenchers are protected by U.S. and worldwide patents. Compounds incorporating these dyes are made and sold under agreement for end-user's non-commercial research and development use only.
• Public Health Research Institute (PHRI)coreTechnology or IntegrationMolecular Beacon technology is sold under license from the Public Health Research Institute, providing Gene Link access to this key fluorescent probe technology.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT): IDT, now part of Danaher, is the largest custom oligonucleotide synthesis provider globally, offering DNA/RNA oligos, modifications, qPCR probes, and gene synthesis. It is the most direct competitor to Gene Link across standard and modified oligos, including long oligos and fluorescent probes.
• Eurofins Genomics: Eurofins Genomics provides custom oligonucleotide synthesis, gene synthesis, and molecular biology services to research and diagnostic customers worldwide. It competes with Gene Link on standard and modified oligos and on gene construction services.
• Twist Bioscience: Twist Bioscience offers high-throughput DNA synthesis (including long oligos and gene fragments) on a silicon platform, plus NGS and antibody discovery. It is a direct competitor in long oligo and gene synthesis, leveraging scale advantages that Gene Link cannot match.
• Synthego: Synthego is a leading manufacturer of synthetic RNA, including sgRNA and siRNA, used in genome editing and RNAi research. It directly competes with Gene Link's RNAi Explorer and modified siRNA product lines for academic and commercial CRISPR/RNAi customers.
• TriLink BioTechnologies: TriLink manufactures custom oligonucleotides, modified mRNA, and nucleic acid-based research tools. It competes with Gene Link across oligo synthesis, fluorescent probes, and clean-cap mRNA, and is similar in size and specialization to Gene Link.
• GenScript: GenScript provides gene synthesis, custom oligos, peptide synthesis, and protein services to researchers globally. It competes directly with Gene Link on gene construction, custom oligos, and CRISPR-related reagents.
• Biosearch Technologies: Biosearch Technologies (part of LGC) develops and supplies fluorescent probes (including BHQ, CAL Fluor, Quasar dyes) and oligo synthesis services. Gene Link actually licenses these dye technologies from Biosearch, making Biosearch both a licensor and a direct competitor in fluorescent probe–based oligos.
• Bio-Synthesis: Bio-Synthesis is a custom oligonucleotide synthesis company offering standard and modified oligos, probes, and gene synthesis. It is a close size-and-specialty analog to Gene Link, competing for the same academic and biotech research customers.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Through its Life Sciences Solutions and Bioscience brands (including the former Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems portfolios), Thermo Fisher offers custom oligos, fluorescent probes, RNAi reagents, and PCR kits at massive scale. It is a broad incumbent that competes with Gene Link across nearly every product category.
• Merck (MilliporeSigma / Sigma-Aldrich): Merck's life science business sells custom oligos, PCR reagents, fluorescent dyes, and molecular biology kits under the Sigma-Aldrich and MilliporeSigma brands. As a broad incumbent, it competes with Gene Link's catalog reagents, oligos, and probes for institutional purchasing volume.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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 Gene Link