Laboratorios San José

What Laboratorios San José does

Laboratorios San José is a Costa Rican clinical laboratory founded on March 19, 1963 by Dra. Teresa Navas and Fernando Núñez, operating today as LAB SAN JOSE HNN SOCIEDAD ANONIMA with a network of more than 25 physical branches across San José, Heredia, Cartago, Alajuela, Guanacaste, and Limón provinces. The laboratory offers a catalog of more than 10,000 routine and specialty diagnostic tests, organized around hematology (Sysmex XN-1000), clinical chemistry (Roche Cobas Pro), microbiology (VITEK 2 Compact), and a molecular biology department running real-time PCR panels for genetic conditions, infectious disease, H. pylori clarithromycin resistance, and the FDA-approved PapiloCheck ARNm HPV oncogene assay. Core technical capabilities also include fetal DNA sex determination (BabyCheck) and HLA/MCM6 genetic testing, with quality control participation in RIQAS and INCIENSA external assessment schemes.

The business serves four customer segments: individual patients (B2C walk-in and e-commerce), corporate accounts (on-site health fairs, employee wellness programs), insurance companies (aseguradoras) via in-network billing, and healthcare providers via physician referrals with online records access. Revenue is generated through per-test transaction pricing (₡8,000–₡315,000 per test, with package discounts up to 50%), insurance reimbursement, corporate contracts, and the LSJ Express home sample-collection service. Distribution combines a WooCommerce e-commerce storefront, WhatsApp Business scheduling, and the 25+ branch footprint. The laboratory achieved INTE/ISO 15189:2023 accreditation (LM-009) from the Ente Costarricense de Acreditación on February 24, 2025, formalizing its quality management system across 16 pre-analytical sites and the central analytical hub.

Name

Laboratorios San José

Legal name

LAB SAN JOSE HNN SOCIEDAD ANONIMA

Website

https://laboratoriosanjose.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Laboratorios San José is a 60-year-old Costa Rican clinical laboratory with 25+ branches nationwide, offering 10,000+ diagnostic tests across hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology to individual patients, corporate clients, insurers, and physicians.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Laboratory Services

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbiology & Infectious Disease Testing Laboratories (HLAFAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Occupational Health & Employer Testing Laboratories (HLAFAMAK)

Keywords

• Clinical laboratory services
• Diagnostic testing
• Molecular diagnostics
• Genetic testing
• Home sample collection

Headquarters

HQ city

Escazú

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices23 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct Patient Testing: Individual patients pay out-of-pocket for laboratory tests at retail branch locations or via e-commerce platform. Prices range from ₡8,000 to ₡315,000 per test or package.
2. Insurance Billing: Reimbursement and direct billing relationships with insurance providers (aseguradoras). Patients use insurance cards with authorization or reimbursement processes.
3. Corporate/Enterprise Services: Bulk testing services for companies including on-site health fairs, employee screening programs, and corporate discount agreements. Billed through company contracts or employee co-pays.
4. Healthcare Provider Referrals: Tests ordered by physicians and healthcare providers who refer patients to the laboratory network. Revenue generated through patient payments facilitated by medical prescriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Laboratorios San José operates a clinical laboratory network in Costa Rica providing diagnostic testing services across hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology. The portfolio includes over 10,000 individual tests plus branded health check packages (VitalCheck Plus, Salud Activa, Plenitud Integral, Control Tiroides Full) and specialty genetic/diagnostic checks (Lacto Check, Apo E Check, Celia Check, BabyCheck, GyneCheck, PapiloCheck Advanced, ETS Check, Strepto Check). The laboratory serves individual patients, physicians, insurance companies, and corporate clients through 25+ branches, an e-commerce platform, the LSJ Express home sample collection service, and on-site corporate health programs.

Product overview

Laboratorio San José is a clinical laboratory offering a comprehensive portfolio of diagnostic services and health check packages. The core offering includes routine and specialized laboratory tests, genetic testing panels, molecular diagnostics, and health assessment packages. Key product lines include: general health check packages (VitalCheck Plus, Salud Activa, Plenitud Integral) targeting preventive care; specialized check panels (Lacto Check, Apo E Check, Celia Check, GyneCheck, PapiloCheck Advanced, ETS Check, Strepto Check) for specific conditions; genetic tests (BabyCheck for fetal sex determination, MTHFR testing); and the LSJ Express home sample collection service. The laboratory operates 25+ branches across Costa Rica with ISO 15189:2023 accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LSJ Express: Home sample collection service offered Monday to Friday 7:00am-3:00pm and Saturdays 7:00am-11:00am. Provides blood, urine, stool, and DNA sample collection at customer locations.

Products and services

• Salud Activa – Hombres General health check package for men evaluating indicators such as glucose, cholesterol, kidney function, and anemia. Includes HOMA Index for insulin resistance detection, HIV test, and vitamin D assessment. Priced at ₡127,500 (discounted to ₡72,750).
• Salud Activa – Mujeres General health check package for women designed for periodic controls, comprehensive prevention, and health status assessment. Priced at ₡127,500 (discounted to ₡72,750).
• Plenitud Integral – Hombres Most comprehensive health check package for men evaluating anemia, kidney issues, metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular conditions. Priced at ₡137,500 (discounted to ₡72,750).
• Plenitud Integral – Mujeres Most comprehensive health check package for women designed for disease prevention and comprehensive health understanding. Priced at ₡137,500 (discounted to ₡72,750).
• VitalCheck Plus General health check evaluating blood indicators, metabolism, kidneys, and cardiometabolic risk including hemogram, glucose, lipid profile, renal function, uric acid, and HOMA index. Priced at ₡86,000 (discounted to ₡43,000).
• Control Tiroides Full (VM357) Comprehensive thyroid function evaluation including TSH, T3 total and free, T4 total and free, anti-thyroid antibodies TPO and TG, and thyroglobulin. Priced at ₡120,000 (discounted to ₡60,000).
• LSJ Express Home sample collection service for blood, urine, stool, and DNA samples with secure transport to laboratories. Operates Monday-Friday 7am-3pm and Saturdays 7am-11am. Requests accepted via WhatsApp at +506 6063-6363.
• Lacto Check Detection of MCM6 gene polymorphisms (C/T13910 and G/A22018) associated with lactase persistence in adults using Real-Time PCR. Sample from buccal swab. Priced at ₡38,000.
• Apo E Check Detection of E2, E3, E4 variants associated with Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease risk assessment. Priced at ₡45,000.
• BabyCheck Fetal sex determination test analyzing baby DNA in maternal blood via Real-Time PCR, reliable from 9th week of gestation with >99% accuracy. Priced at ₡45,000.
• GyneCheck Vaginal smear and culture detection for early identification of vaginal infections using automated VITEK 2 Compact system. Priced at ₡33,000.
• Celia Check Detection of HLA DQ-2 and HLA DQ-8 haplotypes associated with celiac disease using genetic testing. Priced at ₡45,000.
• PapiloCheck Advanced Advanced HPV detection test identifying active E6 and E7 oncogenes of high-risk HPV strains (including 16, 18, 45) using Hybrid Capture and MULTIPLEX-PCR RT technology. FDA approved for women over 30 with 99.5% sensitivity. Priced at ₡40,000.
• ETS Check Comprehensive panel detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Gardnerella vaginalis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Herpes simplex 1/2 using MULTIPLEX-PCR RT. Priced at ₡69,000.
• Strepto Check Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening via vaginal-perianal culture for pregnant women between weeks 35-37 to prevent perinatal disease. Priced at ₡25,000.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 80% of medical decisions are based on laboratory results according to the American College of Pathologists (CAP)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• APRECAP (Asociación Pro-Prevención y Lucha Contra el Cáncer de Próstata)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPRECAP is an organization dedicated to prostate cancer prevention. Laboratorio San José supports through financial donations for program operations, educational talks by microbiologists and lab technicians on early detection, and community awareness campaigns about prostate cancer risks and prevention.
• Visión Mundial (World Vision)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal humanitarian organization working to improve lives of children, families and communities. Laboratorio San José participates in child sponsorship programs providing education, nutrition, and medical care to vulnerable children.
• FUNICOR (Fundación Instituto Corazón de Jesús)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation serving people with cardiovascular diseases through treatment, rehabilitation and educational programs. Laboratory provides periodic financial donations for treatment and rehabilitation programs, health awareness campaigns, and free medical tests during special events for early cardiovascular disease detection.
• Ente Costarricense de Acreditación (ECA)coreOthersNational accreditation body that grants and maintains laboratory accreditation under INTE/ISO 15189:2023 standard (accreditation LM-009). ECA evaluates and verifies laboratory competence for specific activities within official scope.
• RIQAS (Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme)minorOthersExternal quality assessment scheme providing monthly control samples from England for ongoing quality assurance of laboratory testing processes.
• INCIENSAminorOthersCosta Rican National Center for Reference in Health, participates in voluntary external and internal quality control programs with Laboratorio San José.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Synlab: European leader in medical diagnostic services with extensive branch networks and reference laboratory capabilities — closely comparable as a multi-country clinical lab operator with broad test menus.
• Quest Diagnostics: Largest US clinical laboratory network offering routine and specialty diagnostics with strong molecular and genetic testing portfolios — comparable in service breadth and quality accreditations, though vastly larger in scale and geographic reach.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global testing services group with clinical diagnostics as one of its segments; provides comparable molecular and specialty testing capabilities across an extensive international footprint.
• Laboratory Corporation of America (Labcorp): Global clinical laboratory network providing routine, esoteric, and molecular diagnostics to physicians, hospitals, employers, and consumers — a useful scale and channel benchmark for an established multi-channel private lab.
• Sonic Healthcare: International diagnostics provider operating pathology and clinical laboratory networks across Australasia, Europe, and North America — comparable as a multi-channel, multi-site clinical lab operator with strong brand recognition.

Direct peers

• Hospital Clínica Bíblica: Major Costa Rican private hospital operating its own clinical laboratory services within a similar San José-based private healthcare ecosystem, competing for the same physician referrals and insured patients.
• Laboratorios Sued: Established Costa Rican clinical laboratory network offering comparable routine and specialty testing — a direct domestic competitor sharing the same physician referral and aseguradora channels.
• Hospital Hotel La Católica: Costa Rican private hospital with on-site clinical laboratory capabilities serving San José patients; directly comparable as a private-sector Costa Rican diagnostic provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Laboratoriosanjose
• Instagraminstagram.com/laboratoriosanjose
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/laboratorio-clinico-san-jose

Compliance1 record

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 Laboratorios San José