Oxford Biosystems
Oxford BioSystems is a UK and Ireland specialist distributor of life-science research reagents, antibodies, ELISA kits, multiplex assays, and cell-health products, serving academic, pharmaceutical, biotech, and clinical laboratories under multiple exclusive supplier agreements from its Abingdon headquarters.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersAbingdon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Oxford Biosystems does
Oxford BioSystems is a privately held UK life-science distributor founded in 2000 and headquartered in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, serving academic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical, and industrial laboratories across the UK and Ireland. The company operates as a specialist value-added distributor rather than a manufacturer: it holds sole-source exclusive distribution rights in the UK and Ireland for multiple international life-science suppliers and resells their products alongside its own Oxford-branded reagent lines. Customer engagement is predominantly B2B and quote-based, supported by technical application support, workflow consultation, and bespoke sourcing rather than list-price e-commerce.
The product catalogue spans antibodies, ELISA kits, multiplex protein arrays, cell health and viability assays, western blotting reagents, immunohistochemistry products, and complementary research-use reagents and instruments. Oxford BioSystems does not own proprietary R&D platforms; instead it packages, kits, or rebrands third-party-manufactured content under its own Oxford labels (e.g., AbboMAX, Vertical Drift) where commercial rights permit. The operating model is built on long-tail SKUs across many validated niche assays, where customer switching friction is high once a kit is locked into a published protocol.
Revenue mechanics are distribution-margin based: gross margin comes from the spread between supplier cost and customer price, supplemented by application-support services that justify premium pricing versus generic commodity resellers. The company is founder/management-owned with no disclosed external funding, holds ISO 9001:2015 quality certification, and achieved Carbon Neutral status in July 2023. Operational scale is modest (11-50 employees) and the company has sustained 25 consecutive years of operation, signalling durable demand for its specialist-distribution proposition.
Oxford Biosystems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oxford Biosystems
- Legal name
- Oxford BioSystems Ltd
- Website
- https://oxfordbiosystems.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Oxford BioSystems is a UK and Ireland specialist distributor of life-science research reagents, antibodies, ELISA kits, multiplex assays, and cell-health products, serving academic, pharmaceutical, biotech, and clinical laboratories under multiple exclusive supplier agreements from its Abingdon headquarters.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oxford Biosystems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laboratory Diagnostics Distribution
- NAICS
- In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes) (HLAGAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE), Specialty & Biomarker Laboratory Services (Immunoassays/Flow/Cytometry) (HLAGAEAB)
Keywords
Where Oxford Biosystems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abingdon
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Oxford Biosystems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Distribution: Oxford BioSystems operates as a distributor of laboratory diagnostic products, kits, reagents and instruments from global manufacturers to clinical and life sciences laboratories in the UK and Ireland. Revenue is generated through the sale and distribution of these products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Product-based pricing through direct sales |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Oxford Biosystems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oxford BioSystems is a UK and Ireland distributor of laboratory diagnostic products, kits, reagents, and instruments sourced from global manufacturers. The company supplies clinical and life sciences laboratories with point-of-care systems, ESR analysers, multiplex ELISA technology, autoimmune diagnostic panels, and biomarker assay kits across research areas such as immunology, neurology, haematology, bone metabolism, and infectious diseases. It operates under exclusive distribution agreements with manufacturers including Tecan IBL, AID GmbH, Quansys Biosciences, SD Biosensor, BioVendor, BIOMEDICA, ViennaLab, TestLine, and Alifax.
Product overview
Oxford BioSystems is a UK and Ireland distributor of laboratory diagnostic products, instruments, and research reagents, not a single unified product but a multi-brand portfolio spanning point-of-care analysers (SD Biosensor Standard F/G6PD), automated instruments (Alifax ESR, AID EliSpot/FluoroSpot Readers, Q-View Imagers), multiplex ELISA technology (Quansys Q-Plex Arrays, TestLine Microblot-Array), and extensive ELISA/RIA assay ranges covering specialty areas including neurology (Tecan IBL NF-Light, GFAP, p-tau217), bone metabolism (BIOMEDICA, DIAsource, IBL markers), cytokines/chemokines (Quansys, Tecan IBL, BioVendor), pharmacogenetics (ViennaLab), and genetic disorder screening (ViennaLab Haemachromatosis, Thalassaemia). The company operates exclusive distribution agreements with major manufacturers including Tecan IBL (since 2023) and AID GmbH, providing instruments and assays to clinical and life sciences laboratories across research, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SD Biosensor Standard F Point-of-care random-access diagnostic system using europium-based fluorescent chemistry for near-patient testing; F200 compact benchtop analyser and F2400 high-throughput system (up to 70 tests/hour). Sold to clinical and life sciences laboratories.
- AID EliSpot Readers CE-marked EliSpot and FluoroSpot readers for immune response analysis including Classic, iSpot (up to 7-colour multiplex), vSpot, multiSpot, and vSpot Spectrum models, accepted in GMP/GLP environments. For immunology research laboratories.
- Alifax ESR Analysers Automated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) analysers using capillary photometry. TEST1 2.0 offers 195 tests/hour; ROLLER 20 PN provides compact solution for small laboratories. Results in 20 seconds. For clinical haematology laboratories.
- Q-View Imager Systems High-resolution imaging systems (Q-View Imager LS and Plus) for chemiluminescent multiplex ELISAs, capturing and analysing Q-Plex array plates for sensitive biomarker detection. For clinical and research laboratories.
- SD Biosensor Standard G6PD Handheld enzymatic colorimetric assay for semi-quantitative measurement of G6PD activity and total haemoglobin. Distinguishes normal, intermediate and deficient levels; battery operated for on-site testing.
- TestLine Microblot-Array Next-generation immunoblot array in 96-well microtiter plate format for multiplex autoimmune diagnostics with up to 44 antigen targets per well. Includes ANA panel, Liver profile, and Autoimmune gastroenteritis panel. Processes manually or on standard ELISA instruments.
- Bone Metabolism ELISA Kits Extensive portfolio of immunoassay and RIA kits for bone and cartilage metabolism research including Vitamin D, Sclerostin, Periostin, Osteoprotegerin, RANKL, DKK-1, FGF-23, PINP, CTX, PIIINP, Osteocalcin, and soluble alpha-Klotho.
- Neurology Biomarker Assays Biomarker assays for neurodegeneration research including Tecan IBL NF-Light ELISA, GFAP ELISA, p-tau217 ELISA, Alpha-Synuclein, TDP-43, and biogenic amine LC-MS/ELISA products for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, and ALS research.
- Cytokine and Chemokine Assays Single-analyte and multiplex ELISA kits for cytokine/chemokine measurement from Tecan IBL, BioVendor, and Quansys. Q-Plex arrays enable simultaneous measurement of up to 25 analytes per well from over 160 available biomarkers.
- sIL-2R ELISA Kit Quantitative determination of human soluble IL-2 receptor in serum and plasma. IVDR-compliant, MHRA registered, calibrated to NIBSC 97/600 reference standard. For monitoring disease activity in sarcoidosis, lymphomas, and autoimmune conditions.
- Neuro IP Kit Immunoprecipitation and enrichment kit for low-abundance neurological biomarkers from cell-free body fluids. Works with magnetic Immuno Beads for tau, beta-amyloid, and alpha-synuclein targets prior to downstream analysis on platforms including SIMOA, Lumipulse, and Roche Elecsys.
- Q-Plex Multiplex ELISA Arrays Fully quantitative multiplex ELISA technology from Quansys Biosciences using capture antibodies spotted as distinct spots in 96-well plates. Standard panels include cytokine, chemokine, hormone, micronutrient, and custom biomarker arrays.
- ViennaLab Pharmacogenetics Assays Real-time PCR-based pharmacogenetic assays for detecting genetic variants affecting drug response, including CYP2C9 mpx, HLA-A3101, HLA-B1502, PGX-5FU XL StripAssay, and PGX-CYP2D6 XL StripAssay.
- ViennaLab Genetic Disorder Screening Genetic testing assays for haemochromatosis (HFE mutations) and thalassaemia (alpha and beta globin variants). Includes StripAssay and RealFast PCR formats for inherited disorders affecting iron metabolism and haemoglobin synthesis.
- Tecan IBL Product Range Exclusive UK and Ireland distribution of Tecan IBL (IBL International) immunoassay products including neurodegeneration biomarkers, cytokines, hormones, bone metabolism markers, and biogenic amine assays.
- BioVendor ELISA Products UK distribution of BioVendor Laboratorni medicina ELISA kits for cytokines, chemokines, neuroimmune markers (GFAP, Clusterin), bone biomarkers, kidney function markers (Cystatin C, ACE2), and research applications.
- BIOMEDICA ELISA Kits UK and Ireland distribution of Biomedica Medizinprodukte ELISA kits for bone metabolism (Sclerostin, Periostin, OPG, sRANKL, DKK-1, FGF-23, PINP), kidney biomarkers, and cardiorenal research.
- DIAsource Immunoassays Distribution of DIAsource Immunoassays ELISA and RIA kits including 25OH Vitamin D Total ELISA calibrated to ID-LC-MS/MS reference method, and PTH ELISA for bone metabolism research.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 25 years supplying UK and Irish labs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Oxford Biosystems
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Oxford Biosystems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature3 records
Oxford Biosystems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- TestLine Clinical DiagnosticscoreOxford BioSystems distributes TestLine Microblot-Array autoimmune antibody testing panels in the UK and Ireland, including ANA, Liver profile, and Autoimmune gastroenteritis panels.
- Tecan UKcoreOxford BioSystems has an exclusive contract with Tecan UK to supply the IBL (International Biosciences Ltd) product range in the UK and Republic of Ireland. This agreement effective from July 2023 enables distribution of a variety of products from IBL including ELISA kits for neurodegeneration, cytokines, and biogenic amines.
- Carbon Neutral BritainminorCarbon Neutral Britain guided Oxford BioSystems through carbon measurement, reporting, and certification process. First carbon neutral certificate received July 2023.
- AID GmbHcoreOxford BioSystems is the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for AID EliSpot readers, FluoroSpot analysers, and related kits. AID is the only fully CE-marked company that manufactures EliSpot readers, with systems widely accepted for GMP/GLP-compliant laboratories.
- Quansys BiosciencescoreOxford BioSystems is the UK and Ireland distributor for Quansys Biosciences Q-Plex multiplex ELISA kits and Q-View imaging systems. Q-Plex arrays enable simultaneous measurement of up to 25 distinct analytes per well.
- SD BiosensorcoreOxford BioSystems distributes SD Biosensor products including the Standard F multi-parametric random-access system for point-of-care testing and the Standard G6PD handheld enzyme activity analyser.
- BioVendorcoreOxford BioSystems is the UK distributor for BioVendor ELISA kits including GFAP, Cystatin C, and other biomarker assays for research applications.
- BIOMEDICAcoreOxford BioSystems is the official UK and Ireland distributor for BIOMEDICA Immunoassays ELISA kits for bone biomarkers, FGF-23, and other research applications.
- Alifax S.r.l.coreOxford BioSystems distributes Alifax ESR analysers including the TEST1 2.0 and ROLLER ESR Analyser. Alifax has 10,000 instruments installed worldwide with 29 patents in diagnostic technology.
- ViennaLab DiagnosticscoreOxford BioSystems distributes ViennaLab pharmacogenetic assays including RealFast assays for CYP2C9, HLA variants, DPYD, and CYP2D6, as well as StripAssays for haemachromatosis and thalassaemia.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Oxford Biosystems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Abcam (Danaher): Global supplier of antibodies, ELISA kits, immunoassay reagents and research tools. Overlaps directly with Oxford Biosystems' antibody and ELISA kit portfolio but at significantly larger scale and with proprietary product lines.
- Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher): Global broadline laboratory products distributor and manufacturer serving research and clinical labs with reagents, instruments, and consumables. Comparable channel model but operates at massive scale with thousands of suppliers versus Oxford Biosystems' curated portfolio.
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Global life science research and clinical diagnostics manufacturer supplying ELISA kits, immunoassay instruments, and qPCR systems. Comparable in product categories (Bio-Plex multiplex, ELISA, instrumentation) but operates as a global manufacturer rather than a UK-focused distributor.
- Avantor / VWR: Global distributor and supplier of laboratory products, reagents, chemicals and equipment to life science and applied research customers. Comparable distribution business model but at vastly larger scale and with much broader product breadth than Oxford Biosystems.
Direct peers
- Caltag Medsystems: UK distributor of antibodies, ELISA kits, flow cytometry reagents and cell biology research tools. Closely comparable as a small-to-mid UK life science distributor with overlapping reagent and instrument categories.
- Generon: UK distributor of life science research products including antibodies, proteins, ELISA kits and laboratory reagents. Similar scale and direct overlap with Oxford Biosystems' reagent distribution business.
- 2B Scientific Ltd: UK distributor of life science reagents, antibodies, proteins and ELISA kits supplied to research and diagnostic laboratories. Comparable business model and customer overlap with Oxford Biosystems in the UK research supply market.
- Stratech Scientific: UK-based distributor of life science research reagents, antibodies, ELISA kits and laboratory instruments to academic and pharma labs. Directly comparable as a UK specialist distributor serving the same customer base with similar product categories.
- Anogen / Yes Biotech Laboratories: Specialty manufacturer and distributor of immunology and biomarker ELISA kits including cytokine and autoimmune assays. Comparable in product mix (ELISA kits, biomarker assays) although also operates as a manufacturer rather than pure distributor.
- Insight Biotechnology: UK distributor of cell biology, immunology and biomarker research reagents including ELISA kits and flow cytometry products. Comparable specialty distributor serving UK research and clinical labs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Oxford Biosystems social profiles
Digital presenceOxford Biosystems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Oxford Biosystems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oxford Biosystems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Oxford Biosystems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oxford Biosystems 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 Oxford Biosystems
What does Oxford Biosystems do?
Oxford BioSystems is a UK and Ireland distributor of laboratory diagnostic products, kits, reagents, and instruments sourced from global manufacturers. The company supplies clinical and life sciences laboratories with point-of-care systems, ESR analysers, multiplex ELISA technology, autoimmune diagnostic panels, and biomarker assay kits across research areas such as immunology, neurology, haematology, bone metabolism, and infectious diseases. It operates under exclusive distribution agreements with manufacturers including Tecan IBL, AID GmbH, Quansys Biosciences, SD Biosensor, BioVendor, BIOMEDICA, ViennaLab, TestLine, and Alifax.
Is Oxford Biosystems a public or private company?
Oxford Biosystems is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Oxford Biosystems founded?
Oxford Biosystems was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Oxford Biosystems based?
Oxford Biosystems is headquartered in Abingdon, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Oxford Biosystems make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Distribution.
Who are Oxford Biosystems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Abcam (Danaher), Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher), Bio-Rad Laboratories and Avantor / VWR. Direct peers are Caltag Medsystems, Generon, 2B Scientific Ltd, Stratech Scientific, Anogen / Yes Biotech Laboratories and Insight Biotechnology.
Does Oxford Biosystems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oxford Biosystems.
What industry is Oxford Biosystems in?
Oxford Biosystems's product category is Laboratory Diagnostics Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAI, Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes), with a secondary code of HLAGAIAE, Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments. Its NAICS code is 325413 and its SIC code is 2835.