What Tib Molbiol does

TIB Molbiol Syntheselabor GmbH is a Berlin-headquartered molecular diagnostics company founded in 1990, specializing in custom oligonucleotide synthesis and ready-to-use real-time PCR assays built on TaqMan hydrolysis-probe, SimpleProbe melting-curve, MGB, and LNA chemistries. The company maintains a portfolio of over 1,000 PCR kits — including the LightMix family (LightMix Kits, LightMix Modular, LightMix OneTube, LightMix Digital Assays) and cobas omni utility channel assays — covering pathogen detection, hematology, oncology mutation analysis (e.g., BRAF V600E, EGFR T790M, KRAS G12D), and human SNP genotyping. Production is concentrated at the Berlin facility (ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified) with a US distribution arm in New Jersey (ISO 9001), and the company's 70+ CE-IVD and 250+ RUO assays are validated for Roche's LightCycler (480, 480 II, Pro, Digital) and cobas (5800/6800/8800, z 480) instrument families.

TIB Molbiol has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Roche Group since December 2021, functioning as Roche's internal "speedboat" for rapid assay development. The company derives revenue from three streams: standardized PCR kits distributed through local Roche affiliates worldwide, custom PCR in silico design and kit development services (starting at €200 for two primer sets and one probe) sold direct, and custom-synthesized primers and probes sold through its own webshop. Its customer base is horizontally segmented across clinical and research laboratories (primary), research institutions, and industrial manufacturers, with additional direct distribution to public health laboratories in outbreak settings (e.g., the 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola RUO test in DRC and Uganda). The firm's hallmark is speed — development of a SARS-CoV-2 research test within days of the January 2020 sequence release, and a Bundibugyo Ebola PCR test within six days of the 2026 genome publication — enabled by a proprietary Rapid Response Library of 15,000 pre-designs and over 3,000 positive controls.

The company's go-to-market is dual-channel: standardized kits flow through Roche's global affiliate network (enterprise field sales), while custom services, primers, and probes are sold direct via the webshop and a small sales team (direct-to-customer). Leadership is a compact team of seven disclosed managers plus founder Olfert Landt, led by CEO Dr. Marcus Droege. The firm has demonstrated event-driven, outbreak-anchored growth (SARS, H1N1, Ebola, Zika, SARS-CoV-2) over more than 35 years of continuous operation, and its strategic position post-acquisition is that of a focused, high-velocity specialty manufacturer embedded within one of the two largest in-vitro diagnostics companies in the world.

Name

Tib Molbiol

Legal name

TIB Molbiol Syntheselabor GmbH

Website

https://tib-molbiol.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TIB Molbiol is a Berlin-based molecular diagnostics company, founded in 1990 and a Roche subsidiary since 2021, that designs, synthesizes, and distributes custom oligonucleotides and over 1,000 standardized real-time PCR kits (LightMix family, cobas omni utility channel) for clinical laboratories, research institutions, and outbreak response worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Standardized PCR Kits: Ready-to-use PCR kits including LightMix Kits, LightMix Modular, LightMix OneTube, LightMix Digital Assays, and cobas omni utility channel assays. These are sold through Roche's global distribution network with pricing varying by kit type and quantity.
2. Custom PCR Solutions: Custom PCR in silico design services (starting at 200 euros for 2 primer sets and 1 probe) and custom PCR kit development for LightCycler instruments. Custom kits include pre-mixed primers, probes, positive control, and Instructions for Use.
3. Oligonucleotides (Primers & Probes): Custom synthesis of primers and probes for real-time PCR and other molecular biology techniques. Products include TaqMan probes, LightCycler probes, and SimpleProbes in various quantities and modifications. Sold through the company's webshop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

TIB Molbiol manufactures and supplies custom-synthesized oligonucleotides (TaqMan probes, LightCycler hybridization probes, SimpleProbes) along with a comprehensive portfolio of standardized real-time PCR diagnostic kits (LightMix Kits, LightMix Modular, LightMix OneTube, LightMix Digital Assays, cobas omni utility channel assays) for pathogen detection, genetic mutation analysis, hematology, and oncology applications. The company also offers custom PCR in silico design services and custom PCR kit development, with all assays optimized for Roche's LightCycler®, cobas®, and Digital LightCycler® instrument platforms.

Product overview

TIB Molbiol is a molecular diagnostics company specializing in real-time PCR-based tests and research reagents. The product portfolio centers on the LightMix® family of PCR kits (LightMix® Kits, LightMix® Modular, LightMix® OneTube, LightMix® Digital Assays) and cobas® omni utility channel assays—all optimized for Roche's LightCycler® and cobas® PCR systems. Supporting the kit products are custom assay design services, custom PCR kit development, and PCR primers & probes (oligonucleotides). The company offers over 1,000 PCR kits covering pathogen detection, genetic mutations, and oncology applications. Products are available as CE-IVD (clinical diagnostic) and RUO (research use only) variants. TIB Molbiol operates as a Roche subsidiary since 2021, leveraging Roche's instrument platforms while maintaining the company's rapid response capabilities for emerging infectious disease outbreaks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LightMix: Ready-to-use CE-IVD and RUO PCR assay kits for pathogen detection, genetic mutations, and diagnostics on LightCycler systems.
• LightMix Modular
• LightMix OneTube
• LightMix Digital Assays
• Winterplex
• LightSNiP

Products and services

• LightMix® Kits Ready-to-use real-time PCR assays for rapid, accurate detection of pathogens and genetic targets, offered as CE-IVD and RUO variants optimized for Roche LightCycler® instruments and covering infectious diseases, inherited genetic disorders, and oncology targets.
• LightMix® Modular Flexible real-time PCR solution allowing laboratories to combine individual PCR modules targeting specific pathogens or genes into customized multiplex test panels (singleplex to hexaplex in one well), for CE-IVD and RUO applications on LightCycler® instruments.
• LightMix® OneTube Streamlined real-time PCR assays that combine all essential components into a single reaction tube, reducing hands-on time, minimizing pipetting steps, and lowering contamination risk for laboratories using LightCycler® systems.
• LightMix® Digital Assays Digital PCR assays utilizing partition technology for absolute quantification of specific cancer-associated genetic mutations, including BRAF V600E, EGFR T790M, EGFR Ex19del, KRAS G12D, and PIK3CA E545K, optimized for the Roche Digital LightCycler® platform.
• cobas® omni utility channel assays Assays designed for Roche's cobas® omni Utility Channel feature on cobas® 5800, 6800, and 8800 Systems, supporting CE-IVD and Research Use Only applications including laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) running alongside Roche IVD assays on a single automated platform.
• LightMix® Modular Andes Virus Kit Real-time PCR assay for specific detection of Andes virus (a hantavirus species), utilizing TaqMan-based probe chemistry with a modular setup for flexible multiplex research panels, designated RUO for research and environmental monitoring.
• LightMix® Modular Ebola Virus Broad real-time PCR detection assay covering all five Orthoebolavirus species (Zaire, Sudan, Taï Forest, Bundibugyo, and Reston ebolavirus), supplied with positive control for 96 reactions.
• LightMix® OneTube Ebola Virus Typing Multiplex qPCR assay that differentiates all five Ebola virus species in a single tube using predefined primer and probe sets, supplied with positive control for 24 reactions.
• LightMix® Modular Bundibugyo Virus Test Kit Specific real-time PCR detection assay for Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola species, supplied with positive control for 96 reactions and designated RUO. Developed in 2026 in direct response to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
• LightSNiP assays Predefined melting-curve analysis assays using SimpleProbes® for human single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection based on rs numbers and gene names, differentiating multiple variations with unique melting points on LightCycler® 480 instruments.
• Custom PCR In Silico Design Custom assay design service using TaqMan™ and SimpleProbe® technologies for detection, expression analysis, melting curve genotyping, and endpoint genotyping applications, starting at €200 for the design of 2 primer sets and 1 probe, with additional oligonucleotide synthesis available at customer expense.
• Custom PCR Kit Development Ready-to-use custom PCR kits for LightCycler® 480 and LightCycler® Pro instruments, containing pre-mixed primers, probes, positive control, and Instructions for Use, with extensive assay design, wet lab optimization, verification, and quality control performed by TIB Molbiol.
• PCR Primers & Probes Custom synthesis of oligonucleotides including TaqMan® probes, LightCycler® hybridization probes, and SimpleProbes® for real-time PCR and various molecular biology techniques, available with multiple dyes (6FAM, HEX, Cy5, etc.), quenchers, and modifications including MGB and LNA bases for enhanced thermal stability and specificity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Development of Bundibugyo Ebola PCR test within 6 days of genome sequence publication
• +1 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

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RochecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2021TIB Molbiol became a subsidiary of the Roche Group in December 2021. The acquisition expanded Roche's molecular diagnostics portfolio with over 70 CE-IVD assays and 250+ RUO assays for LightCycler and cobas PCR systems. TIB Molbiol operates as Roche's 'speedboat' for rapid assay development while leveraging Roche's global distribution network. The companies have a 20+ year partnership history including rapid responses to SARS, anthrax, H5N1, MERS, H1N1, Ebola, Zika, and SARS-CoV-2.
• Public Health Laboratories (DRC and Uganda)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with public health laboratories and authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda for distribution and validation of the Bundibugyo Ebola RUO PCR test during the 2026 outbreak.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Manufacturer of PCR instruments (CFX series) and a comprehensive menu of real-time and digital PCR reagents, including the QX600 ddPCR system and a large catalog of pathogen detection kits. Closely comparable to TIB Molbiol in PCR-based infectious disease and genetic testing reagents, with broader instrument and life-science research coverage.
• Seegene: Korea-based molecular diagnostics company specializing in multiplex real-time PCR syndromic panels under its 'TOCE' and 'MuDT' technologies. Direct peer in PCR-based pathogen detection kits, especially for high-throughput clinical labs, with comparable custom and standardized assay offerings.
• Qiagen: Global molecular diagnostics and sample-prep company with a broad PCR reagent and assay portfolio (including QIAcuity digital PCR and custom oligonucleotide services via its Genomic Services unit). Directly comparable to TIB Molbiol in molecular biology reagents, custom oligos, and IVD PCR kits, but with a substantially larger platform-agnostic footprint.
• Takara Bio: Japan-headquartered molecular biology company offering PCR reagents (TaKaRa PCR, PrimeScript), custom oligonucleotides, and molecular diagnostics kits. Direct peer in custom oligo synthesis and standardized PCR kits, with comparable CE-IVD/RUO product lines for infectious disease and genetic testing.
• Eurofins Genomics: Genomics services and products division of Eurofins Scientific, offering custom oligonucleotide synthesis, qPCR probes, and molecular biology reagents across Europe and globally. Direct peer to TIB Molbiol's webshop-sold custom primers/probes and CE-IVD PCR kit lines for research and diagnostic customers.
• ELITech Group: European molecular diagnostics company (including ELITech Molecular Diagnostics) producing standardized PCR kits, custom oligonucleotide synthesis, and infectious disease panels on multiple real-time PCR platforms. Closely comparable to TIB Molbiol in PCR kit manufacturing, custom oligos, and IVD/RUO menu for clinical and research labs.
• Promega Corporation: US-based life sciences company offering PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleic acid extraction kits, and custom oligonucleotide services. Comparable to TIB Molbiol in custom oligo and PCR reagent manufacturing for diagnostics and research customers, with a broader portfolio of life science tools.
• Revvity (formerly Meridian Bioscience): Diagnostics and life sciences company that acquired Meridian Bioscience; produces molecular diagnostic kits, PCR reagents, and IVD assays for infectious disease, with established distribution into clinical labs. Comparable to TIB Molbiol in molecular diagnostics kit manufacturing for clinical and outbreak response applications.
• IDT (Integrated DNA Technologies): Danaher-owned manufacturer of custom oligonucleotides (primers, probes, including MGB and LNA modifications) and PCR/qPCR reagents. Direct peer to TIB Molbiol's custom primer/probe webshop business and TaqMan/LNA-equivalent modification capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Life Sciences / Applied Biosystems): Dominant life sciences tools company with the Applied Biosystems brand of QuantStudio real-time PCR instruments, TaqMan assays, and a deep catalog of custom oligo and reagent products. Overlaps with TIB Molbiol in PCR reagents and custom oligos but operates at much larger scale across instruments, consumables, and broader life science research.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tib-molbiol

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Tib Molbiol