What PlexBio does

PlexBio Co., Ltd is a Taipei-headquartered molecular diagnostics company founded in 2009 and publicly listed on Taiwan's OTC market under stock code 6572. The company develops and commercializes in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products built on its proprietary πCode (Precision Image Code) MicroDisc technology — a patented platform in which 40-micrometer magnetic microdiscs are manufactured using semiconductor photolithography to encode up to 85,000 unique image patterns, each coupled with specific capture agents to enable simultaneous detection of up to 200+ nucleic acid or protein targets per sample. The product portfolio comprises three core instrument platforms (PlexBio 100 Fluorescent Analyzer, IntelliPlex 1000 πCode Processor, IntelliPrep TRIO 240 automated sample preparation system), a Lung Cancer Panel across cfDNA/cfRNA/FFPE DNA/FFPE RNA covering 8 oncogenic driver genes plus individual gene mutation kits (KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, ALK, ROS1, RET/NTRK1, PIK3CA), infectious disease assays (SARS-CoV-2 detection, SARS-CoV-2/Flu combination, SARS-CoV-2 variant analysis, HCV genotyping), automated extraction reagent kits, and supporting software (DeXipher for analysis, IntelliQ cloud data management). Clinical validation publications report 98% concordance with NGS for DNA and 100% for RNA, with sub-6-hour turnaround for 96 samples versus 1-2 weeks for NGS workflows.

PlexBio generates revenue through four streams: (1) hardware and reagent sales of IVD instruments and assay kits, (2) technology licensing to strategic partners including Denka for infectious disease and immunology applications, (3) CDMO services (formalized in 2024 with a USD 12.26M Denka joint development agreement for a cassette-style Sample-to-Result platform), and (4) custom assay development and method transfer services for pharmaceutical and biotech partners. Pricing is exclusively B2B quotation-based under multi-year contracts with clinical laboratories and hospital pathology departments; no public list pricing exists.

The go-to-market model is channel-partner-led, with exclusive regional distributors covering Taiwan (KimForest, stock code 6645; 3-year exclusive from June 2025), Korea (Diagenex / Chris & Paul), Brazil (Biomédica Brazil), Western Europe, the Middle East, and Australia (Menarini Diagnostics), and Spain (Akralab). Direct enterprise sales supplement channel coverage for key accounts such as OCP Medicina de Precisão (Brazil), Oncoclinicas (Brazil), Shanghai Yikang, Libao Biomedical, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan), ICESP São Paulo, and research collaborations with Chiang Mai University (Thailand) and Toho University (Japan). The largest shareholder is Japanese chemical conglomerate Denka, which acquired a 33.4% equity stake in June 2019 via a NT$745M+ private placement, anchoring a strategic partnership that combines technology licensing, equity ownership, and CDMO commercial contracts. PlexBio holds 80+ employees globally and operates a wholly-owned China subsidiary (Jiangsu PlexBio) established in 2013.

Name

PlexBio

Legal name

Plexbio Co., Ltd

Website

https://plexbio.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PlexBio develops in vitro diagnostic products based on its proprietary πCode MicroDisc multiplex detection platform, serving clinical laboratories and hospital pathology departments with oncology companion diagnostics, infectious disease assays, and automated instruments distributed across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Molecular Diagnostics

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Multiplex & High-Throughput Diagnostics Platforms (microarrays, digital PCR, lab automation-enabled assays) (HLAAALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF), Microbiology & Infectious Disease Diagnostics (Culture/ID/AST) (HLAHAAAC), Bioinformatics & Multi-omics Analysis Software (HLAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Multiplex diagnostics
• Molecular diagnostics
• In vitro diagnostics
• Cancer diagnostics
• Infectious disease testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Taipei

HQ country

Taiwan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Diagnostic Instruments and Reagents: Sale of automated instruments (PlexBio 100 Fluorescent Analyzer, IntelliPlex 1000 πCode Processor, IntelliPrep TRIO 240) and配套 reagents including oncology assays (lung cancer panels, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, ALK, ROS1, PIK3CA, RET/NTRK1 mutation detection kits) and infectious disease tests (SARS-CoV-2, flu, variant detection kits).
2. Technology Licensing: Licensing of πCode technology to strategic partners. Denka received technology license for infectious disease and immunology applications. Menarini distributes licensed products in Western Europe.
3. CDMO Services: Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization services. PlexBio serves as Denka's primary CDMO partner, developing custom detection instruments and reagents. The 2024 joint development agreement with Denka was valued at USD 12,264,720.
4. Custom Assay Development: Customized assay development services for pharmaceutical and biotech partners, including method development, optimization, technology transfer, and new target development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PlexBio develops and manufactures multiplex molecular diagnostic instruments, reagent kits, and software based on its patented πCode MicroDisc image-coded magnetic microdisc platform. Its offerings include automated sample preparation and detection analyzers (IntelliPrep TRIO 240, IntelliPlex 1000 πCode Processor, PlexBio 100 Fluorescent Analyzer), oncology panels for lung cancer gene mutation detection (EGFR, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, ALK, ROS1, RET/NTRK1, PIK3CA), infectious disease assays (SARS-CoV-2, Flu combination, SARS-CoV-2 variant analysis, HCV genotyping), and automated data analysis software (DeXipher, IntelliQ). Customers are clinical diagnostic laboratories, hospital pathology departments, and cancer/precision medicine centers.

Product overview

PlexBio develops and manufactures in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products centered on its proprietary πCode MicroDisc technology, a patented image-coded magnetic microdisc multiplexing platform using semiconductor fabrication. The product portfolio consists of: (1) Core instruments including the PlexBio 100 Fluorescent Analyzer for imaging detection, IntelliPlex 1000 πCode Processor for automated hybridization/washing, and IntelliPrep TRIO 240 for fully automated nucleic acid extraction and PCR preparation; (2) Diagnostic reagent kits organized into IntelliPlex Lung Cancer Panels (available in cfDNA, cfRNA, FFPE DNA, and FFPE RNA formats) covering 8 oncogenic driver genes with 74+ DNA mutations and 28+ RNA fusions, plus individual gene mutation kits (KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, ALK, ROS1, RET/NTRK1, PIK3CA); (3) Infectious disease assays including SARS-CoV-2 detection, SARS-CoV-2/Flu combination, SARS-CoV-2 Variant Analysis, and HCV Genotyping kits; (4) Supporting extraction reagent kits for TRIO 240 (FFPE DNA/RNA, cfDNA, Blood gDNA); and (5) Software including DeXipher for automated data analysis and IntelliQ cloud data management. The platform enables single-sample multiplex detection of 2-200+ targets with high sensitivity (0.05-1% LoD), fast turnaround (<6 hours), and supports downstream applications including qPCR, ddPCR, and NGS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PlexBio 100 Fluorescent Analyzer Fluorescent detection instrument that performs high-contrast co-localization analysis of bright-field encoded image patterns and dark-field fluorescence signals on πCode MicroDiscs. Can simultaneously analyze 100-200 detection targets per well with automatic report generation in 30 minutes. CE-IVD/TFDA certified. Designed for clinical diagnostic laboratories performing multiplex molecular testing.
• IntelliPlex 1000 πCode Processor Automated workstation integrating hybridization, washing, temperature-controlled oscillation incubation, and fluorescence labeling functions for processing πCode MicroDiscs. Features 7-inch touchscreen interface and automatic 8-channel reagent dispensing module. Designed for clinical laboratories performing high-throughput multiplex molecular assays.
• IntelliPrep TRIO 240 Sample Preparation System Fully automated sample preparation system integrating nucleic acid extraction, quantification, concentration normalization, and PCR reaction preparation using magnetic pipette liquid handling technology. Processes 24 samples simultaneously for FFPE tissue, blood, plasma, and cfDNA inputs. Designed for clinical laboratories requiring high-throughput automated nucleic acid extraction upstream of multiplex πCode detection.
• IntelliPlex Lung Cancer Panel - cfDNA Liquid biopsy assay detecting 74 DNA mutation hotspots across 8 oncogenic driver genes (KRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA, BRAF, EGFR, HER2, MEK1, AKT1) from plasma samples using πCode technology. Requires ≥10ng DNA with <6 hour turnaround for 96 samples. For clinical laboratories performing non-invasive lung cancer companion diagnostics.
• IntelliPlex Lung Cancer Panel - cfRNA Liquid biopsy assay detecting 28 RNA fusion hotspots across 5 oncogenic driver genes (ALK, ROS1, RET, NTRK1, MET) from plasma samples using one-step RT-PCR with high sensitivity for low-concentration RNA variants. For clinical laboratories performing non-invasive lung cancer fusion testing.
• IntelliPlex Lung Cancer Panel - FFPE DNA Tissue-based assay detecting 74 DNA mutation hotspots across 8 oncogenic driver genes from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. For hospital pathology departments and cancer centers performing lung cancer companion diagnostics from surgical or biopsy specimens.
• IntelliPlex Lung Cancer Panel - FFPE RNA Tissue-based assay detecting 28 RNA fusion hotspots across 5 oncogenic driver genes from FFPE tissue samples using one-step RT-PCR. For pathologists and molecular oncology laboratories performing lung cancer RNA fusion testing.
• IntelliPlex KRAS Mutation Plus Kit Multiplex assay detecting 27 somatic mutations in KRAS gene exons 2, 3, and 4 from FFPE samples using πCode technology with high sensitivity in wild-type DNA background. For clinical laboratories performing colorectal and pancreatic cancer companion diagnostics.
• IntelliPlex NRAS Mutation Kit Multiplex assay detecting 33 somatic mutations in NRAS gene exons 2, 3, and 4 from FFPE samples. For clinical laboratories performing colorectal cancer and melanoma mutation testing.
• IntelliPlex BRAF V600 Mutation Kit Multiplex assay detecting 7 somatic mutations in BRAF gene exon 15 from FFPE samples, commonly associated with melanoma, NSCLC, and metastatic colorectal cancer. For clinical laboratories performing targeted therapy selection testing.
• IntelliPlex ALK Rearrangement Kit Multiplex assay detecting 24 fusion variants including EML4-ALK, KIF5B-ALK, and TFG-ALK from FFPE RNA samples using one-step RT-PCR. For clinical laboratories performing NSCLC companion diagnostics for ALK inhibitor therapy selection.
• IntelliPlex ROS1 Rearrangement Kit Multiplex assay detecting 14 ROS1 fusion variants from FFPE RNA samples. Used for evaluating ROS1 inhibitor treatment options in NSCLC. For clinical molecular oncology laboratories.
• IntelliPlex RET/NTRK1 Rearrangement Kit Multiplex assay detecting 14 RET and NTRK1 fusion variants from FFPE RNA samples. Used for evaluating targeted therapy options across multiple solid tumor types. For clinical molecular oncology laboratories.
• IntelliPlex PIK3CA Mutation Kit Multiplex assay detecting 17 mutations in PIK3CA gene exons 9 and 20 from FFPE DNA samples. For clinical laboratories performing breast and colorectal cancer mutation testing.
• IntelliPlex SARS-CoV-2 Detection Kit Real-time RT-PCR assay detecting ORF1a and N genes for SARS-CoV-2 identification with FDA EUA and CE-IVD certification. For clinical microbiology laboratories and public health testing facilities performing COVID-19 diagnostics.
• IntelliPlex SARS-CoV-2/Flu Kit Second-generation multiplex assay detecting SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, and Influenza B simultaneously with CE-IVD certification. For clinical laboratories performing respiratory pathogen differential diagnosis during flu/COVID-19 co-circulation.
• IntelliPlex SARS-CoV-2 Variant Analysis Kit One-step variant detection reagent detecting SARS-CoV-2 and variant mutations simultaneously, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon variants. Research Use Only (RUO) status. Jointly developed with Denka for outbreak surveillance and variant tracking. For public health laboratories and reference testing centers.
• IntelliPlex HCV Genotyping Kit Assay detecting 6 major HCV genotypes (1-6) and 2 subtypes (1a and 1b) from serum or plasma in a single reaction with TFDA approval. For clinical laboratories and hepatitis treatment centers performing HCV genotyping for treatment selection.
• IntelliPrep FFPE DNA Extraction Kit Automated FFPE tissue DNA extraction kit for the IntelliPrep TRIO 240 system with xylene-free deparaffinization and 135-minute processing for one 10µm section. For clinical laboratories performing automated nucleic acid extraction upstream of πCode multiplex detection.
• IntelliPrep cfDNA Extraction Kit (≤5mL plasma) Automated circulating DNA extraction kit for the IntelliPrep TRIO 240 system processing plasma samples up to 5 mL. For clinical laboratories performing liquid biopsy sample preparation.
• IntelliPrep Blood Genomic DNA Extraction Kit Automated whole blood and buffy coat DNA extraction kit for the IntelliPrep TRIO 240 system with 60-minute processing for 200µL samples yielding 4-8µg DNA. For clinical laboratories performing blood-based genomic DNA extraction.
• CDMO Service (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) Contract development and manufacturing organization service in which PlexBio develops custom detection instruments and reagents for strategic partners using its πCode MicroDisc platform. PlexBio serves as Denka's primary CDMO partner. For pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostic companies seeking custom multiplex assay and instrument development.
• Custom Assay Services Customized assay development services providing method development, optimization, technology transfer, and new target development for pharmaceutical and biotech partners. For partners requiring specialized πCode-based multiplex detection content for proprietary applications.
• Technical Licensing and Partnering Licensing of πCode MicroDisc technology to strategic partners for use in their own diagnostic products. Denka received a technology license for infectious disease and immunology applications, while Menarini distributes licensed products in Western Europe. For diagnostic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies seeking to integrate πCode multiplexing capability into their own product lines.

Quantifiable outcome

• Detection turnaround time reduced from 1-2 weeks (NGS) to <6 hours for 96 samples
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• QIAGEN: Major molecular diagnostics and sample-preparation player with overlapping oncology mutation detection panels and automated nucleic acid extraction workflows — directly competitive in the lung cancer companion-Dx segment.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad's Bio-Plex multiplex system and broader life-science instrument portfolio overlaps with PlexBio's πCode analyzer and reagent offering. Larger incumbent with much wider installed base across research and clinical labs.
• Cepheid (Danaher): GeneXpert molecular diagnostics platform is a benchmark for automated Sample-to-Result infectious-disease testing — directly comparable to the Sample-to-Result roadmap PlexBio is pursuing with Denka.
• Hologic: Diversified diagnostics company with molecular infectious-disease assays on the Panther system; competes with PlexBio's respiratory pathogen and oncology panels and is significantly larger with broader distribution.

Emerging players

• Akoya Biosciences: Multiplex spatial biology and biomarker detection platform with adjacent use cases in oncology research and companion diagnostics; similar technology-driven growth profile in clinical translational markets.
• NanoString Technologies: Multiplex molecular profiling platform with overlapping oncology and infectious-disease use cases. Comparable as a smaller, technology-led multiplex player rather than direct bead-based detection competitor.

Direct peers

• Standard BioTools (formerly Fluidigm): Direct competitor in bead/microdisc-based multiplex molecular detection. Both companies offer high-plex panels with proprietary encoded-particle architectures and similar clinical research / oncology use cases.
• DiaSorin (Luminex): DiaSorin acquired Luminex, whose xMAP bead-based multiplexing platform is the closest direct peer to πCode in instrument format, multiplex assay menus, and clinical diagnostic end markets.
• Meso Scale Diagnostics (MSD): Multiplex detection platform using proprietary plate-based electrochemiluminescence; competes with πCode in high-sensitivity, high-plex biomarker detection for clinical and translational applications.

Others

• Denka (strategic partner / partial comparable): Largest shareholder and CDMO partner; Denka's diagnostics business is a partial comparator in infectious-disease IVD manufacturing and serves as both customer and strategic channel into Japanese and Asian markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 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 PlexBio