What Panlab does

Panlab, S.L.U. designs and manufactures behavioral research instrumentation and software for preclinical neuroscience and pharmacology research in rodents. Headquartered in Cornellà de Llobregat (Barcelona), Spain, the company has operated for over 50 years and is a division of NASDAQ-listed Harvard Bioscience Inc., sitting alongside sister brands such as Harvard Apparatus, Biochrom, Data Science International (DSI), BTX, HEKA, Multi Channel Systems, Warner Instruments, CMA Microdialysis and Hugo Sachs Elektronik.

The product portfolio centers on proprietary video-tracking software (SMART 3.0, SMART I/O, PACKWIN, PPCWIN, ACTITRACK, MAZESOFT-8, PROTOWIN, METABOLISM, SEDACOM) paired with specialized hardware: operant conditioning chambers, learning and memory mazes (Morris Water Maze, Barnes, T/Y/Radial), anxiety and depression apparatus (Elevated Plus Maze, Dark/Light Box, Forced Swim, Tail Suspension), pain testing devices (Hot/Cold Plate, Tail-Flick, Randall Selitto, Incapacitance Tester), motor coordination tools (Rotarod, Grip Strength, Treadmill), physiology instrumentation (Organ Baths, Transducers, ISO510A Amplifier, Digital Stimulators, NIBP), and the OxyletPro metabolic monitoring system. The latest platform extensions — SMART I/O with optogenetics feedback and the VivaMARS Mobile Activity Rack jointly developed with DSI — push the company into integrated behavioral-physiology workflows suitable for GLP-regulated studies.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time hardware sales and on-premise software licenses, delivered via enterprise field sales channels: direct contact from the Barcelona office (international +34 934 750 697, domestic +34 934 190 709), a network of country delegates and regional distributors (UrsaScience in Poland, Hugo Sachs Elektronik in Germany, BIOSEB in France, MARSAP Services in India, DL NatureGene Life Science in China, GUISOTECH in Brazil, LOBOV Científica in Argentina, PRIONLAB in Chile, DIDACLIBROS in Colombia), and branded storefronts such as harvardapparatus.com for syringe pumps. Customer segmentation is horizontal, serving academic and government research institutions, contract research organizations and pharmaceutical/biotech preclinical programs across Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Panlab

Legal name

PANLAB, S.L.U.

Website

https://panlab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Panlab, S.L.U. designs behavioral research instruments and video-tracking software for preclinical neuroscience and pharmacology studies in rodents, serving universities, CROs and pharmaceutical companies globally as a division of Harvard Bioscience Inc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Research Instrumentation

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens) (HLAGAIAC)

Keywords

• Behavioral research equipment
• Neuroscience instrumentation
• Video-tracking software
• Preclinical research tools
• Pharmacology lab equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Behavioral Research Hardware Sales: Sale of specialized laboratory equipment including video-tracking systems, operant conditioning chambers, organ baths, syring pumps, treadmills, mazes, analgesia meters, and animal housing cages. Equipment is sold directly and through regional representatives.
2. Proprietary Software Licensing: Licensing of Panlab-branded software products including SMART 3.0 video-tracking, PACKWIN, PROTOWIN, MAZESOFT-8, ActiTrack, SEDACOM, NIBPChart, and METABOLISM software. Software is distributed via download with demo versions available.
3. Harvard Apparatus Syringe Pumps: Sale of Harvard Apparatus syringe pump products including the PHD ULTRA series, invented the mechanical syringe pump in the 1950s and first microprocessor-controlled pumps in the 1980s.
4. Represented Brands / Distribution: Panlab serves as the distributor/representative for multiple international brands including HEKA, Multi Channel Systems, Warner Instruments, Biochrom, CMA Microdialysis, Data Science International, and Hugo Sachs Elektronik.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Panlab manufactures and sells behavioral and physiological research instrumentation for rodent-based preclinical studies, including mazes, analgesia meters, operant chambers, organ baths, indirect-calorimetry systems, telemetry/NIBP platforms, and caging, complemented by a portfolio of proprietary software for video tracking (SMART, PACKWIN, ACTITRACK, MAZESOFT-8), protocol execution (PROTOWIN, SHUTAVOID), and data acquisition (NIBPChart, SEDACOM) sold primarily to academic, government, pharmaceutical/biotech and CRO research laboratories.

Product overview

Panlab, a division of Harvard Bioscience, provides a comprehensive portfolio of behavioral research equipment and software for preclinical neuroscience and pharmacology research. The product offering centers on video-tracking software systems (SMART 3.0, SMART I/O, PACKWIN, PPCWIN) combined with specialized behavioral testing apparatus including mazes (Morris Water Maze, Barnes Maze, T/Y/Radial Mazes, Elevated Plus/Zero Mazes), pain assessment equipment (Hot/Cold Plates, Tail-Flick Meters, Randall Selitto), anxiety/depression models (Dark/Light Boxes, Forced Swimming, Tail Suspension), and metabolic monitoring systems (OXYLETPRO, METABOLISM software). The portfolio also includes physiology equipment (Organ Baths, Amplifiers, Transducers, Stimulators, NIBP Systems) and distributes third-party brands including Harvard Apparatus, Biochrom, BTX, HEKA, Multi Channel Systems, Warner Instruments, DSI (telemetry and respiratory), CMA Microdialysis, and Hugo Sachs Elektronik. The modular architecture allows integration with data acquisition systems like ADInstruments LABCHART/PowerLab and supports various research applications from basic behavioral phenotyping to GLP-compliant preclinical studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SMART Video Tracking Software (SMART 3.0 and SMART I/O variants) Proprietary automated video-tracking and analysis software for rodent behavioral phenotyping in mazes, open field, water maze and other arenas, available in standard and I/O (input/output) variants for hardware event integration.
• PACKWIN Software PC-based behavioral testing software designed for place-preference, conditioned place preference (CPP) and related behavioral assays in rodents.
• PPCWIN Software Software package supporting place-preference experimental protocols and data management in rodent studies.
• ACTITRACK Software Activity-tracking software designed for locomotor and behavioral characterization in rats and mice, including elevated plus maze, tail suspension and forced swimming test workflows.
• PROTOWIN Software Protocol-execution software for designing, controlling and documenting behavioral experiments in operant chambers and mazes, including text-based scripting.
• METABOLISM Software Software platform for indirect-calorimetry and metabolic monitoring of rodents, controlling OXYLETPRO and similar metabolic cages for food/drink intake and activity analysis.
• MAZESOFT-8 Software Video-tracking and analysis software for maze-based behavioral testing, supporting eight-arm radial maze, plus maze and water maze protocols.
• SEDACOM Software Real-time data acquisition and analysis software for behavioral tests, supporting sedatives, antidepressants and other drug-screening paradigms in rodents.
• NIBPChart Software Software for capturing and analyzing non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurements through the NIBP system compatible with ADInstruments PowerLab/LabChart.
• SHUTAVOID Software Control and analysis software for the Shuttle Box / active-passive avoidance paradigm, supporting learning and memory studies in rodents.
• RECORD-IT! MEDIA Software Media-recording software for capturing synchronized video and experimental metadata during behavioral tests.
• IR Actimeter Infrared-sensor based actimeter for automated measurement of locomotor activity, stereotypies and fine motor behavior in rats and mice.
• Morris Water Maze Pool and platform system for spatial learning and memory assays in rodents, supported by SMART video-tracking.
• Barnes Maze Elevated circular platform with peripheral escape holes for studying spatial memory and learning in rodents, with video-tracking compatibility.
• T Maze / Y Maze / Radial Maze / Elevated Plus Maze / Zero Maze Modular mazes for spatial and anxiety-related behavioral phenotyping in rats and mice, including 4-arm, 8-arm radial, plus-shaped and elevated zero configurations.
• Open Field Box / Dark-Light Box / Place Preference Box Locomotor, anxiety and conditioning chambers used to study exploration, anxiolytic effects and conditioned place preference in rodents.
• Hot Plate Analgesia Meter and Hot/Cold Plate Analgesia Meter Temperature-controlled plates for thermal analgesia/nociception testing in rodents, available as single-temperature or combined hot/cold configurations.
• Tail-Flick Meter and Randall Selitto Paw/Cola Pressure Meter Instruments for measuring thermal (tail-flick) and mechanical (paw-pressure, electronic Von Frey) nociceptive responses in rodents.
• Incapacitance Tester Weight-bearing device for assessing unilateral pain and inflammation through differential hindlimb force measurements in rodents.
• Passive Avoidance Box (Step-Through Passive Avoidance, StartFear) and Shuttle Box Chambers for fear-motivated, passive-avoidance and active-avoidance (shuttle) learning and memory testing in rats and mice, with shock grid and SHUTAVOID-compatible control.
• Social Interaction Box (Septal Lesion Test) and Anxiety Test Kit Arena-based setups for quantifying social investigatory behavior in pairs of rodents and anxiety-related assays with observation-compatible fixtures.
• Rotarod, Grip Strength Meter, Beam Balance Walking Test, Apomorphine Climbing Test Motor-function and neurological testing battery, including accelerating rotarod, forelimb grip strength, fine-motor coordination and dopaminergic climbing-behavior assays in rodents.
• Treadmill (Panlab/Coulbourn Convertible 4 Lanes) and Activity Wheels Multi-lane rodent treadmills for forced exercise and fatigue studies, plus low-profile activity wheels for voluntary wheel-running in home cages.
• Tail Suspension Test and Forced Swimming Test rigs Behavioral apparatus for depression-like despair paradigms, capturing immobility and active behaviors in rats and mice during acute or repeated testing sessions.
• Restrainers for Rodents Manual and automated restrainers for short-duration immobilization of rats and mice during procedures such as NIBP measurement or dosing.
• OXYLETPRO System (Indirect Calorimetry) Modular indirect-calorimetry platform for measuring O2 consumption, CO2 production, respiratory exchange ratio, food and drink intake, and activity in rodents under controlled environmental conditions.
• SCIREQ Metabolic Cages Specialized metabolic cages for housing rodents during indirect calorimetry and energy-balance studies, integrated with OXYLETPRO and METABOLISM software.
• VivaMARS Mobile Activity Rack System Automated, RFID-tag-based home-cage monitoring system for continuous, individual-level activity and behavioral phenotyping of group-housed rodents.
• Modular Organ Bath System and Organ Bath Compact Multi-channel organ bath rigs for in vitro studies of isolated tissues, including smooth and cardiac muscle preparations, configurable with force transducers and amplifiers.
• Isometric, Isotonic and Force Transducers High-sensitivity transducers for measuring isometric tension, isotonic displacement and force responses from isolated tissues, used with organ baths and amplifiers.
• ISO510A Amplifier and D330 Multi-Channel Amplifier Bio-amplifiers for conditioning transducer and electrode signals in organ-bath, isolated-tissue and electrophysiology setups, including single-channel and multi-channel variants.
• Digital Stimulators Programmable stimulators delivering controlled electrical pulses for nerve, muscle and tissue stimulation protocols in physiology and behavioral experiments.
• NIBP System (Non-Invasive Blood Pressure) Tail-cuff based, non-invasive blood pressure measurement platform for rodents, integrating pressure and pulse sensors with the NIBPChart software and PowerLab/LabChart.
• Digital Thermometer Units (TCAT and ADF modules) Multi-channel digital thermometry platforms for measuring core body temperature in rats and mice via implanted or rectal probes, including the TCAT system and ADF interface modules.
• Caging and Modular Cage Systems Standard and modular rodent housing cages, including ventilated and enrichment-style designs for studies requiring individual housing or metabolic monitoring.
• Operant Chambers (Skinner Boxes) for Behavior and Self-Administration Standard and self-administration chambers for operant conditioning studies in rodents, integrated with PROTOWIN software for protocol design and event control.
• Harvard Apparatus Syringe Pumps Distribution of Harvard Apparatus-branded precision syringe pumps for small-animal drug delivery, infusion and stereotaxic injection workflows.
• Harvard Apparatus Anesthesia & Surgery Products Distribution of Harvard Apparatus anesthesia systems, ventilation equipment, surgical instruments and accessories used during small-animal survival and terminal procedures.
• Biochrom Spectrophotometry / Microplate Readers Distribution of Biochrom-branded spectrophotometers, plate readers and basic life-science analytical instruments serving absorbance, ELISA and nucleic acid quantification workflows.
• BTX Electroporation Solutions Distribution of BTX-branded electroporation and electrofusion systems, including generators, cuvettes and accessories for in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro molecular delivery.
• HEKA Solutions (Patch Clamp and Electrophysiology) Distribution of HEKA patch-clamp and electrophysiology equipment, including amplifiers, data acquisition hardware and software for cell and tissue electrophysiology research.
• Multi Channel Systems (MCS) Solutions Distribution of Multi Channel Systems microelectrode array (MEA) and electrophysiology platforms for in-vitro and in-vivo neural recording.
• Warner Instruments Solutions Distribution of Warner Instruments perfusion chambers, electrode holders and accessories used in electrophysiology and live-cell imaging preparations.
• DSI Telemetry Solutions Distribution of Data Sciences International implantable telemetry products for continuous, longitudinal physiological monitoring (blood pressure, ECG, activity, temperature) in freely-moving rodents.
• DSI Respiratory Solutions Distribution of DSI respiratory measurement platforms, including whole-body plethysmography and lung-function instruments for rodent pulmonary research.
• CMA Microdialysis Solutions Distribution of CMA microdialysis probes, catheters and pumps for sampling extracellular fluid and biomarker concentration dynamics in rodent tissues.
• Hugo Sachs Elektronik Solutions Distribution of Hugo Sachs Elektronik isolated-organ and tissue-perfusion systems used in cardiovascular and respiratory physiology research.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Data Science International (DSI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Panlab and DSI brands, both divisions of Harvard Bioscience Inc., form a strategic partnership for behavioral and physiology research. The partnership has produced the VivaMARS Mobile Activity Rack System, combining Panlab's activity monitoring technology with DSI's Ponemah pre-clinical data management software for GLP-compliant solutions. The partnership serves CROs, pharma, and academic institutes with integrated solutions referenced in over 7,000 peer-reviewed publications.
• HEKAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanlab serves as a distribution partner/representative for HEKA products, which include sophisticated instrumentation and software for biomedical, electrochemical and industrial research applications, specifically for patch clamp and electrochemistry applications. HEKA has over 45 years of experience in manufacturing scientific instrumentation.
• Multi Channel SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanlab distributes Multi Channel Systems products for precise scientific measuring instrumentation for electrophysiology applications including microelectrode arrays for in vitro and in vivo extra-cellular recordings and electrical stimulation.
• Warner InstrumentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanlab distributes Warner Instruments products, known for designing, developing, and manufacturing biomedical devices for electrophysiological, cellular and neurological sciences. Warner was founded in 1988 and is recognized for bilayer, patch, and oocyte voltage clamps, live-cell imaging chambers, and temperature control instrumentation.
• BiochromminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanlab distributes Biochrom (a division of Harvard Bioscience) products including amino acid analyzers, UV/visible spectrophotometers, microvolume spectrophotometers, colorimeters, and cell density meters. Biochrom was founded in 1970 and is known for the Ultrospec brand of spectrophotometry equipment.
• CMA MicrodialysisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanlab distributes CMA Microdialysis products, an indispensable tool for drug discovery in basic research. CMA's vision is to shorten the time-to-market of drug and research projects by offering a complete and leading portfolio of microdialysis products globally.
• Hugo Sachs ElektronikminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanlab distributes Hugo Sachs Elektronik products, an industry leader for advanced isolated organ and tissue perfusion systems for cardiovascular and respiratory applications. Products are designed for advanced physiology and pharmacology studies.
• BTXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanlab distributes BTX products, a global provider of novel electroporation and electrofusion tools for cell transfection and cell fusion. BTX pioneered in vivo electroporation electrodes and high throughput transfection technology.
• Harvard Bioscience Inc.coreOthersPanlab, S.L.U. is an affiliate/division of Harvard Bioscience Inc., a company listed on NASDAQ. Harvard Bioscience develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of scientific instruments used to advance life science research. Panlab represents the behavioral research brand of Harvard Bioscience.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ADInstruments: Manufacturer of PowerLab data acquisition systems and LABChart software used widely in physiology and behavioral research. While not a direct competitor for behavioral chambers, ADInstruments' data acquisition platform integrates with Panlab organ baths and competes for the same lab budgets.
• Harvard Bioscience (Harvard Apparatus US): Parent company of Panlab and broader life-science instruments group (Harvard Apparatus, DSI, Biochrom, BTX, CMA, Hugo Sachs). The US-facing Harvard Apparatus brand competes directly with Panlab in many product categories while serving a global customer base.

Emerging players

• Maze Engineers: US-based behavioral research equipment supplier specializing in mazes, activity systems, and custom phenotyping devices. Targets the same academic neuroscience customers as Panlab but with a more focused, customized product range.
• Coulbourn Instruments: US-based behavioral research instruments manufacturer (operant chambers, activity monitors, fear/startle systems). Notably, Panlab itself redistributes Coulbourn products to certain markets, reflecting a partial peer-and-partner overlap in product portfolios.

Direct peers

• Noldus Information Technology: Netherlands-based specialist in video-tracking, behavioral observation, and lab automation software/hardware (EthoVision, DanioVision). Directly competes with Panlab's SMART and PACKWIN video-tracking systems across academic and pharma preclinical research customers.
• Ugo Basile: Italian manufacturer of behavioral and physiological research instruments including pain (hot/cold plate), anxiety, learning/memory, and motor function apparatus. Directly overlaps Panlab's behavioral testing equipment catalogue and serves similar academic and pharma customers.
• TSE Systems: German manufacturer of behavioral and metabolic phenotyping systems for rodents (PhenoMaster, IntelliCage). Competes with Panlab's operant conditioning, metabolic (OXYLETPRO), and phenotyping product lines in academic and pharma markets.
• Med Associates: US manufacturer of behavioral research instrumentation including operant chambers, startle systems, and video tracking. Directly comparable to Panlab's operant conditioning, fear conditioning (StartFear), and shuttle box product lines.
• Stoelting Co. US-based manufacturer of neuroscience research instruments including stereotactic, behavioral, and surgical tools. Competes with Panlab in core neuroscience research equipment and pursues similar academic, government, and pharmaceutical research customers.
• Lafayette Instrument: US-based behavioral neuroscience and pharmacology instrument manufacturer (mazes, activity monitors, grip strength, analgesia). Overlaps substantially with Panlab's behavioral phenotyping and pain-testing product ranges.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/panlabharvard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/panlab-s.l.u.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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