Bionos Biotech

What Bionos Biotech does

Bionos Biotech S.L. is a Valencia-based contract research organization (CRO) founded in January 2013 as a spin-off from the Developmental Biology Laboratory at Hospital La Fe. The company designs and executes efficacy studies for the cosmetic and food-nutraceutical industries, using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo methodologies, and operates from the Biopolo at Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe. Its portfolio spans cosmetic efficacy testing (anti-aging, depigmentation, anti-pollution, UV-IR-HEV protection, hair care, anti-inflammatory, epigenetic, antioxidant, firming, regeneration, skin penetration studies), food/nutraceutical clinical trials (functional food, toxicology, metabolism, enzymatic activity, regenerative capacity), and pharmaceutical dermatological actives research.

Bionos differentiates through proprietary technical platforms — including the Bio Blue Light Scanner for high-resolution cutaneous surface evaluation, the Bio3D Structured-Light Scanner for volumetric clinical analysis, a validated Medaka (Oryzias latipes) fish model platform for antioxidant and anti-aging screening, and skin microbiome analysis — supported by peer-reviewed publications and partnerships with IIS-La Fe, CIPF, UPV, Isdin, Mibelle Biochemistry, and others. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified, registered as a Sanitary Center (No. 22043) with the Generalitat Valenciana, and holds EIBT and Pyme Innovadora accreditations.

The business model is quote-based professional services revenue from B2B clients, with 135+ international customers (50% of 2019 revenue from international billing), reach through trade shows (IFSCC, In-Cosmetics Global/Asia, Cosmetorium, Supplier's Day NYC), and direct commercial contact. In 2020 the company launched a Testing by Bionos sub-brand for COVID-19 PCR and antibody testing services, and it participates in EU-funded consortia (PHOCNOSIS, AlgaeCeuticals, BRYOMOLECULES, EDUALGAE, SINUé). Funding has been limited to public grants (CDTI NEOTEC 2015, Valencia Emprende SEED, IVACE 2022) with no disclosed institutional venture capital.

Name

Bionos Biotech

Legal name

Bionos Biotech S.L.

Website

https://bionos.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bionos Biotech is a Valencia-based CRO (founded 2013, Hospital La Fe spin-off) that runs in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo efficacy studies for cosmetic, food, and nutraceutical clients internationally, using proprietary imaging scanners and validated Medaka fish models.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Research Organization (Cosmetic & Food Efficacy Testing)

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Cell-Based & Potency Assays (Bioassays) (HLAGADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Clinical CROs (Phase I–IV) (HLAGAAAA), Toxicology & Safety Assessment CROs (GLP) (HLAGAAAC), Bioanalytical & Biomarker CROs (PK/PD/Immunogenicity) (HLAGAAAD), Central Laboratory & Clinical Trial Testing CROs (HLAGAAAE)

Keywords

• Contract research services
• Cosmetic efficacy testing
• Food clinical trials
• In vitro bioassays
• Biological diagnostic testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Valencia

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Efficacy Studies for Cosmetics: Contract research services providing efficacy testing for cosmetic products and ingredients. Services include anti-aging, depigmentation, anti-pollution, UV-IR-HEV protection, hair care, anti-inflammatory, epigenetic, antioxidant, firming, regeneration, and skin penetration studies.
2. Clinical Trials for Food Industry: Clinical efficacy testing services for functional foods, toxicology, metabolism, enzymatic activity, and regenerative capacity studies.
3. COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing (Testing by Bionos): PCR and antibody testing services for public and private entities including regional health authorities, companies, nursing homes, hospitals, health insurance funds, and schools. Performed 200-400 daily analyses during pandemic.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Bionos Biotech is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) specialized in efficacy testing for the cosmetic and food-nutraceutical industries. The company designs and develops bioassays using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo methodologies to scientifically validate product claims for anti-aging, depigmentation, anti-pollution, UV-IR-HEV protection, hair care, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, firming, regeneration, and skin penetration applications. It also operates a Testing by Bionos sub-brand for COVID-19 diagnostic testing services.

Product overview

Bionos Biotech is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) offering a comprehensive portfolio of efficacy studies for the cosmetic and food industries. The core offering consists of bioassays conducted through three methodological approaches—in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo—spanning cosmetic efficacy testing (anti-wrinkle, depigmenting, UV protection, hair care, antioxidant, and skin penetration studies) and food clinical trials (functional food, toxicology, metabolism). Proprietary technology platforms include the Bio Blue Light Scanner for high-resolution skin imaging and the Bio3D Structured-Light Scanner for volumetric analysis. The company operates a sub-brand, Testing by Bionos, for COVID-19 diagnostic services. Bionos also participates in collaborative EU-funded research projects including BRYOMOLECULES (bryophyte bioactive compounds) and EDUALGAE (microalgae-based sweeteners).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In Vitro Bioassays (Bioensayos In Vitro) Laboratory-based efficacy studies using in vitro methods for cosmetic and food industry products, analyzing biological responses in controlled environments outside living organisms. Serves cosmetic and food companies requiring molecular-level and cellular efficacy data.
• Ex Vivo Bioassays (Bioensayos Ex Vivo) Efficacy testing using living tissue or cells maintained outside the body, bridging in vitro and in vivo approaches for product validation. Serves cosmetic and food companies seeking intermediate-complexity biological testing.
• In Vivo Bioassays (Bioensayos In Vivo) Clinical efficacy studies conducted with human volunteers to validate cosmetic and food product claims under real-use conditions. Serves cosmetic and food companies seeking human clinical evidence.
• Cosmetic Efficacy Studies (Ensayos Cosmética) Comprehensive efficacy testing services for cosmetic products including anti-wrinkle, depigmenting, anti-pollution, UV-IR-HEV protection, anti-aging, hair care, anti-inflammatory, epigenetic, antioxidant, firming, regeneration, and skin penetration studies. Serves cosmetic and personal care companies.
• Food Clinical Trials (Ensayos Alimentación) Clinical trials and efficacy studies for the food industry including functional food, toxicology, metabolism, enzymatic activity, and regenerative capacity assessments. Serves food and beverage companies requiring health-claim validation.
• Testing by Bionos (COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing) Dedicated COVID-19 testing service brand offering PCR and antibody tests with response times under 24 hours. Serves public health authorities, companies, nursing homes, hospitals, health insurance funds, and schools. Performed 200-400 daily analyses during the pandemic.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,750+ products and ingredients tested
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• EDUALGAE ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2026Research project for developing natural sweeteners from lichenic microalgae as sugar substitutes for bakery and pastry products.
• BRYOMOLECULES Consortium (EU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2025EU-funded initiative for systematic search of bioactive compounds from European bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) for sustainable cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. Documentary released in 2025.
• SINUÉ ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 January 2025Surgical planning solutions for brain tumors using identity habitats of gliomas enabling intraoperative immunotherapeutic treatment decisions.
• Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal CarecoreTechnology or Integration · 2 May 2022Network collaboration with Eurofins, described as having 30+ years of experience and leadership in cosmetics and personal care testing, for expanded testing capabilities and services.
• PhenocellsecondaryTechnology or Integration · 2 May 2022Collaboration in new venture combining Phenocell's capabilities with Bionos testing expertise.
• CTIBiotechsecondaryTechnology or Integration · 2 May 2022Partnership in new testing venture combining CTIBiotech's 3D tissue models with Bionos bioassay expertise.
• Hospital La Fe / Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2020Collaboration on COVID-19 epidemiological prevalence project during the pandemic.
• Mibelle BiochemistrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2018Collaboration to functionally validate MossCellTech No.1 active ingredient, which won In-Cosmetics Global Innovation Award 2018. Article published in Industria Cosmética magazine.
• AlgaeCeuticals (RISE H2020)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 May 2018EU RISE H2020 project exploring microalgae and cyanobacteria metabolites for beneficial applications in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
• Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital La Fe (IIS-La Fe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2017Collaboration for antioxidant and anti-aging research using Medaka fish model. Joint publication in Rejuvenation Research demonstrating cocoa extract's protective effects against oxidative stress.
• Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2017Trilateral collaboration with IIS-La Fe for research on cocoa extract antioxidant and anti-aging properties, validating Medaka as screening platform.
• IsdincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 October 2017Collaboration to demonstrate antioxidant capacity of topical melatonin using in vitro Medaka model, measuring gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, CAT, Nrf2, GPx1).
• Beauty Cluster de BarcelonasecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 January 2017Cluster membership as first member joined in 2017, providing networking and ecosystem integration within Barcelona's beauty industry cluster.
• BIOVALsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 September 2015Cluster membership as associated company in BIOVAL, the BIO sector cluster of the Valencian Community, for industry networking and collaboration.
• PHOCNOSIS Consortium (EU H2020)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2015EU Horizon 2020 project for early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases through portable device. Bionos participates in functional validation of the device. Led by UPV.
• Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2015Multiple collaborations including PHOCNOSIS project led by UPV's Nanophotonic Technology Center (NTC) and joint research initiatives.
• Inkemia IUCTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2015Joint venture agreement to research potential cosmetic ingredients and dermatological actives with biological action such as skin regeneration, repair, anti-aging and antioxidant effects.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care: Global leader in cosmetics and personal care testing with 30+ years of experience. Already a network partner of Bionos and the dominant reference point in the segment where Bionos operates; directly comparable for efficacy, safety, and claim-substantiation services.
• SGS: Global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) major offering cosmetic product testing, clinical trials, and claim substantiation services. Comparable to Bionos on service overlap but vastly larger in scale and geographic reach.
• Intertek: Multinational testing, inspection, and certification company with broad cosmetics and consumer products testing capabilities. Competes for the same enterprise R&D testing budgets as Bionos but at global scale.
• Charles River Laboratories: Large global CRO with established safety assessment, bioanalysis, and research services for cosmetics, chemicals, and pharma. Adjacent to Bionos in endpoints and regulatory expertise but at substantially larger scale.
• Eurofins CDMO / Eurofins Discovery: Wider Eurofins group offering discovery, bioanalytical, and in vitro pharmacology services. Competes for early-stage cosmetic/pharma R&D budgets that overlap with Bionos's efficacy screening work.

Direct peers

• Bioalternatives: France-based CRO specializing in in vitro and ex vivo efficacy testing for cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients. Closest comparable in niche: same methodologies, similar customer base (ingredient suppliers and cosmetic brands) and similar size class.
• CeeTox: US-based CRO focused on in vitro toxicology and efficacy testing for cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceutical clients. Comparable scope in cell-based assays, claim-substantiation studies, and ingredient screening.
• SkinEthic / Episkin (L'Oréal): Provider of reconstructed human skin models and in vitro testing services for cosmetic, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Comparable offering on reconstructed tissue assays and claim-substantiation testing.
• XCellR8: UK-based CRO providing non-animal efficacy and safety testing for cosmetics and chemicals, including in vitro bioassays and skin sensitization. Highly comparable service mix and target customer base (ethical beauty, ingredient suppliers).

Emerging players

• Phylogene: France-based CRO offering biomarker, omics, and bioassay services to cosmetics and nutrition clients. Comparable in technical approach (molecular readouts, skin biology) and emerging-segment positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bionos-biotech
• Facebookfacebook.com/bionosbiotech
• Xx.com/bionosbiotech

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Bionos Biotech