What Ozgene does

Ozgene is a Perth, Australia-headquartered contract research organization (CRO) founded in November 1999 by Dr. Frank Koentgen, specializing in the design, generation, and characterization of genetically modified mouse models for academic, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical researchers worldwide. The company's core technical edge rests on two proprietary platforms: goGermline™, an embryonic stem cell injection technology developed in collaboration with the Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics that guarantees 100% ES cell-derived offspring and improves 3Rs animal welfare outcomes; and OzBIG (Big Genomic Replacement), which enables routine genomic humanizations up to 240 kb in a single targeting event — roughly 10x the scale of conventional homologous recombination methods — reducing time to humanized F1 mice from over three years to approximately seven months. Ozgene deliberately uses classical homologous recombination rather than CRISPR. Product offerings span custom knockout, knock-in, humanized, and targeted transgenic mouse models, complemented by breeding and husbandry, cryopreservation, genotyping, validation and phenotyping, timed mating, and import/export services, supported by the proprietary Geneoz VMS vivarium management software and the myOzgene customer portal.

Ozgene operates through three sub-brands and one service line: Ozgene (Perth, custom model development and preclinical research), Ozgene ARC (Perth, stock strains and authorized JAX distribution in Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia — assumed from the formerly state-owned Animal Resources Centre in June 2023), Ozgene LLC (Indianapolis, US-based custom breeding and husbandry since 2019), and Ozgene VCS (embedded on-site vivarium care services, expanded into Boston/Cambridge in March 2025). The company employs 11–50 people across Perth, Indianapolis, Cambridge (MA), and Munich, and reports that approximately 90% of its customers are located outside Australia. All Ozgene-owned vivariums hold full AAALAC International accreditation (Indianapolis since 2022, Perth since 2026).

The business model is fee-for-service professional services across six core revenue streams: custom mouse model generation, stock strain sales, breeding and husbandry, genotyping, validation and phenotyping, and on-site vivarium management (VCS). Custom model pricing is project-based on complexity and deliverables with free obligation-free proposals; stock strains are sold through tiered published price lists via the Ozgene ARC portal; VCS contracts are structured as hourly, monthly retainer, or project-based engagements. Customers retain full intellectual property and biological materials, and the company emphasizes no project queues and rapid start capability. Roughly 500 scientific publications are based on Ozgene mice, providing a strong evidence base for academic demand. Ozgene remains privately held under founder-influenced governance following a planned leadership transition in November 2024 when Maarit Patrick was appointed CEO alongside Dr. Koentgen's continued scientific leadership.

Name

Ozgene

Legal name

Ozgene Pty Ltd

Website

https://ozgene.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ozgene is a Perth-based contract research organization founded in 1999 that designs, generates, and characterizes custom genetically modified mouse models for academic, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical researchers worldwide, using proprietary goGermline™ and OzBIG technologies across facilities in Australia and the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Research Services (Preclinical / Genetically Modified Mouse Models)

akta.pro primary industry

Gene Therapy (Viral Vector/Plasmid) CDMO (HLAGABAE)

Keywords

• Contract research services
• Genetically modified mice
• Preclinical research models
• Humanized mouse models
• Vivarium management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bentley

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Mouse Model Generation: Fee-for-service custom genetically modified mouse model development including knockout, knock-in, humanized and transgenic models. Pricing is determined by project complexity, materials provided, and desired deliverables. Customers receive obligation-free project design and proposal.
2. Stock Strains Sales: Sale of standard mouse and rat strains through Ozgene ARC ordering portal. Includes JAX strains, inbred strains, outbred strains, congenic/hybrid strains, and mutant strains. Ozgene assumed operations of Animal Resources Centre (ARC) in June 2023.
3. Breeding & Husbandry Services: Comprehensive breeding, cohort production and cryopreservation services in Australia and USA. Includes Cre breeding, tissue-specific Cre breeding, homozygous line generation, cohort production, and cryopreservation. Fixed cost estimates for predictable budgeting.
4. Genotyping Services: Mouse genotyping services including standard genotyping (qPCR), custom genotyping, and high-throughput genotyping. Sample receipt to delivery takes 1 business day for standard approaches.
5. Mouse Model Validation & Phenotyping: Validation services at DNA level (qPCR), mRNA level (RT-qPCR), and protein level (western blotting, flow cytometry, ELISA). Phenotyping includes immune viability studies, morphological and behavioral analysis, and immune checkpoint target validation.
6. On-Site Vivarium Care Services (VCS): Embedded AAALAC-accredited specialists deliver vivarium management at customer facilities. Flexible pricing models including hourly staffing rates, fixed fee monthly retainers, or project-based contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ozgene is a contract research organization providing end-to-end custom genetically modified mouse model solutions including knockout, knock-in, humanized, and transgenic mice, powered by proprietary goGermline™ and OzBIG technologies. The company also delivers comprehensive breeding, husbandry, genotyping, phenotyping, cryopreservation, stock strain distribution (including JAX strains), and on-site vivarium management services through its Ozgene VCS division to academic, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical customers globally.

Product overview

Ozgene is a contract research organization offering a portfolio of genetically modified mouse model products and preclinical services. The core offering consists of custom model generation (knockout, knock-in, humanized, and targeted transgenic mice) powered by two proprietary technology platforms: goGermline™ (for standard gene targeting with 100% ES cell-derived offspring and improved 3Rs compliance) and OzBIG (for large genomic replacements and insertions up to 240 kb). Ozgene serves customers globally through three sub-brands: Ozgene (Perth, Australia — custom models and preclinical research), Ozgene ARC (Perth, Australia — authorized JAX distributor and stock strain services including timed mating, cryopreservation, imports, breeding), and Ozgene LLC (Indianapolis, USA — US-based breeding and husbandry). Ozgene VCS delivers embedded on-site vivarium management globally. Supporting services include genotyping, validation and phenotyping, and the Geneoz VMS proprietary software platform for vivarium operations management, accessible via the myOzgene customer portal. All Ozgene-owned vivariums hold AAALAC accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• goGermline™: Proprietary technology for generating gene-targeted knockout, knock-in, and targeted transgenic mice with 100% ES cell-derived offspring, enhancing 3Rs compliance and reducing project timelines.
• OzBIG
• Geneoz VMS
• Ozgene ARC
• Ozgene VCS

Products and services

• Custom Mouse Model Generation Fee-for-service generation of custom genetically modified mouse models including knockout, knock-in, humanized, and targeted transgenic mice. Customers retain full IP and materials ownership. Ozgene uses goGermline™ and OzBIG technologies, relying on classical homologous recombination rather than CRISPR. Designed for academic, biotech, and pharmaceutical researchers needing custom rodent models for gene function studies, disease research, and drug development.
• Knockout Mice Genetically modified mice that delete or inactivate a specific gene, used to study gene function, human disease mechanisms, and therapeutic development. Includes conditional knockout models using Cre/Lox technology for tissue-specific or temporally controlled gene inactivation.
• Knock-in Mice Mice with insertion of a foreign sequence at a specific genomic locus for expressing reporter genes, human genes, point mutations, or targeted transgenics at safe harbor loci. Generated via homologous recombination; supports conditional and non-conditional approaches.
• Humanized Mice Mice expressing human genes via transgenesis, replacing mouse genes partially or fully with human equivalents. Used for pre-clinical drug validation, particularly human therapeutic antibodies, immune checkpoint target validation, and immuno-oncology research. Supports point mutation, domain, and whole-gene humanization.
• Targeted Transgenic Mice Transgenic mice generated by homologous recombination inserting a gene of interest into a safe harbor locus (ROSA26 or Igs2), avoiding random insertion effects. Produces predictable expression patterns, uses FLEx switch for conditional activation, and enables tissue-specific expression by breeding to Cre driver lines.
• Stock Strains (Ozgene ARC) Standard and mutant mouse and rat strains available for immediate purchase, including outbred, inbred, congenic/hybrid, and mutant strains. Ozgene ARC is also an authorized distributor of Jackson Laboratory (JAX) strains in Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia.
• Shank3 cKO Mouse Model Community-accessible conditional knockout mouse model targeting Shank3 exons 4-22, developed through a CureSHANK-Ozgene collaboration. Supports research into Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), SHANK3-related autism, and neurodevelopmental biology. Distributed globally by Ozgene with InnoSer's PMS preclinical testing platform.
• Breeding and Husbandry Services Comprehensive breeding and colony management services including Cre breeding, tissue-specific Cre breeding, homozygous line generation, cohort production, and cryopreservation. Conducted in AAALAC-accredited facilities in Australia and the USA.
• Timed Mating Precision breeding service delivering accurately staged pregnancies and precisely scheduled litters for mice and rats at defined gestational stages (E13-E18). Includes hormonal synchronization using PMS and hCG, plug check confirmation, and pre-shipment gestational weight-gain assessment.
• Imports Service End-to-end importation of live mice, cryopreserved sperm, and embryos into Australia, including quarantine, health testing, rederivation via IVF, and cryopreservation services with FELASA-standard health testing capability.
• Cryopreservation Freezing and storage of sperm and embryos using liquid nitrogen for long-term preservation, protecting against genetic drift, facility failures, disease outbreaks, and enabling secure archiving of valuable strains and efficient colony re-derivation via IVF.
• Genotyping Mouse genotyping services using qPCR, PCR, and DNA sequencing to characterize genetically modified mouse models. Offers standard genotyping, custom genotyping for unique markers, and high-throughput genotyping with 1 business day turnaround for standard approaches.
• Validation and Phenotyping
• Ozgene VCS (Vivarium Care Services)
• Geneoz VMS (Vivarium Management Software)

Quantifiable outcome

• 20 weeks fastest conditional knockout/knock-in timeline to F1 heterozygous mice
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Jackson Laboratory (JAX)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 January 2024Ozgene is an authorized distributor and propagator of JAX strains in Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. This partnership provides local access to high-quality JAX mouse models with fast turnaround and research support through Ozgene ARC.
• Gen HcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2022Partnership supporting OzBIG capabilities for targeted humanization. Gen H collaborates with Ozgene to advance the OzBIG platform for large genomic humanizations up to 240 kb. This partnership enables sophisticated targeted modifications of the mouse genome for preclinical research applications.
• InnoSercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Shank3 conditional knockout mouse model for Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) preclinical testing platform. InnoSer provides standardized behavioral, cognitive, sensorimotor, and biomarker-based assessments. Ozgene manages animal supply and distribution exclusively.
• CureSHANKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit research advocacy organization partnering with Ozgene and InnoSer to enable streamlined, community access to the Shank3 conditional knockout mouse model. Supports open-science collaboration and translational research initiatives for Phelan-McDermid syndrome and SHANK3-related disorders.
• Max Planck Research Unit for NeurogeneticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration for the development and publication of goGermline technology. Joint research partnership resulting in peer-reviewed publication of the technology.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Inotiv: US-based preclinical CRO and research model provider offering contract research services, animal models, and vivarium operations. Overlaps with Ozgene's VCS on-site services and custom breeding, though at larger scale and broader scope.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global CRO offering preclinical research services including custom model generation, breeding, and phenotyping. Significantly larger and more diversified than Ozgene, but directly overlaps on custom genetically engineered mouse models and contract breeding services for pharma/biotech.
• Crown Bioscience: Global CRO providing preclinical and translational drug discovery services, including proprietary humanized mouse models and oncology-focused in vivo services. Overlaps with Ozgene's humanized mouse offering for preclinical drug validation.

Emerging players

• Cyagen Biosciences: China-based provider of custom mouse/rat model generation using CRISPR technology at competitive price points. Represents the most direct competitive pressure on standard knockout/knock-in timelines and pricing for Ozgene.
• Biocytogen: China-based company specializing in humanized mouse models and antibody drug discovery, with a large catalog of ready-to-use humanized models. Competes directly with Ozgene's humanized mouse offering for preclinical antibody validation use cases.

Direct peers

• GenOway: French-based CRO specializing in custom genetically modified mouse and rat model creation, including knockouts, knock-ins, and humanized models. Directly comparable in scale and service mix to Ozgene's core custom model business.
• The Jackson Laboratory (JAX): The leading nonprofit provider of genetically defined mouse models globally, with a deep catalog of inbred, congenic, and mutant strains. JAX is also an Ozgene strategic partner (authorized distributor in ANZ), and competes head-to-head in supplying high-quality mouse models for biomedical research.
• Ingenious Targeting Laboratory: US-based CRO specializing in custom mouse model generation using homologous recombination and conditional knockout/knock-in technologies. Closest comparable in technical methodology and project-based CRO model to Ozgene.
• Taconic Biosciences: Major provider of genetically engineered mouse and rat models for the biomedical research community, with extensive model generation and breeding services. Highly comparable to Ozgene's custom model and stock strain offering.

Regional players

• Anatomical Concepts (Australian lab animal services): Regional Australian provider of laboratory animal research support services. Tangentially comparable as a competitor in the Australian vivarium care and animal research services market where Ozgene's Perth operations are concentrated.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCz8
• Xx.com/ozgene_perth
• Facebookfacebook.com/OzgenePtyLtd

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Ozgene