What cellasys GmbH does

cellasys is a privately held German life-science instrumentation company that develops and sells microphysiometry systems used to monitor cellular metabolism and morphology in real time without labels. Its core technology combines proprietary multiparametric BioChips (BioChip-D gold and BioChip-C2 platinum variants on glass substrates) with automated, computer-controlled fluidic systems that measure extracellular acidification, cellular respiration (oxygen consumption), and impedance. The portfolio is anchored by two hardware platforms: IMOLA (Intelligent Mobile Lab, available in single, triple, and 6xIMOLA configurations) for BioChip-based measurements, and MOONS (Microphysiometric Organ-ON-chip System), a 24-well microplate-based platform for impedance-based morphology monitoring on transparent substrates. Supporting software includes the DALiA client (currently version 4.0) and DALiA analytics for IMOLA, and the MOONS client for the MOONS platform. The cellasys #8 assay enables 24-hour real-time analysis with compound removal and repeated dosing for recovery studies.

The company sells hardware, consumables (BioChips, MOONS plates, accessories), one-time software licenses, and CRO (Contract Research Organization) services to pharmaceutical and life-science researchers, academic institutions, and contract research organizations conducting drug development, toxicity testing, environmental monitoring, and basic cell biology research. Go-to-market is sales-led through direct contact-form inquiries (no e-commerce), supplemented by event-driven academic engagement, scientific publications, and conference participation. Founded in 2007 as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and led by CEO Dr. Joachim Wiest, the company is ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13485:2003 certified, holds CE marking for the IMOLA-IVD, and operates offices in Kronburg (Germany) and Beijing (China). In 2023 the firm underwent a management buy-out and was reorganized as cellasys know-how UG (haftungsbeschränkt).

The revenue model is a mix of capital-equipment sales (IMOLA and MOONS instruments), recurring-ish consumables revenue (BioChips, MOONS plates, accessories), software licensing (DALiA, MOONS client), and professional services (CRO). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the company relies on its academic publication record, regulatory credentials, and direct sales engagement. Customer base and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and no institutional funding rounds have been reported.

Name

cellasys GmbH

Legal name

cellasys know-how UG (haftungsbeschränkt)

Website

https://cellasys.tech

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

cellasys develops and sells label-free microphysiometry instruments (IMOLA BioChip and MOONS microplate platforms) and software (DALiA) that monitor cellular metabolism and morphology in real time, serving pharmaceutical, academic, and CRO researchers in drug development and toxicology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microphysiometry Systems

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

In Vitro Model Systems & Organoid Platforms (iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems) (HLAAAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Organoids & Organ-on-Chip (regenerative models) (HLAAAGAD), Cell-Based & Potency Assays (Bioassays) (HLAGADAH), Cell Culture & Bioprocess Lab Equipment (Bioreactors, Single-Use Systems, Controllers) (HLAGAIAG)

Keywords

• Microphysiometry systems
• Organ-on-chip instruments
• BioChip platforms
• Cell-based assay instruments
• In vitro monitoring devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of BioChips (BioChip-D, BioChip-C2, BioChip Dummy), MOONS plates (plate-I, dummy), and instrument platforms (IMOLA, MOONS systems). Revenue generated from one-time hardware purchases with varying configurations (single, triple, 6xIMOLA setups).
2. Accessories: Sale of supporting accessories including fluidic heads, reference electrodes, IMOLA support systems, barrels, distribution caps, contact plates, gold strips, LED modules, and FM cables.
3. Software Licenses: DALiA client and DALiA analytics software for data acquisition and analysis with IMOLA platform; MOONS client software for MOONS tap control.
4. CRO Services: Contract Research Organization services for pharmaceutical, toxicology, and life science research applications, offered through contact form inquiries.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

cellasys designs, manufactures, and distributes microphysiometry systems for real-time, label-free monitoring of cellular metabolism and morphology. Its portfolio centers on the IMOLA BioChip platform and MOONS microplate platform, supported by proprietary BioChip consumables, DALiA/MOONS data-processing software, the cellasys #8 assay, and accessories, with CRO services offered for organ-on-chip experiments.

Product overview

cellasys GmbH offers a platform-plus-modules product architecture centered on two core hardware platforms: IMOLA (BioChip platform) and MOONS (Microplate platform), both enabling label-free, multiparametric, real-time monitoring of cellular vitality and morphology. The IMOLA platform supports multiple BioChip variants (BioChip-D gold version, BioChip-C2 platinum version, and BioChip Dummy) and configurations ranging from single to 6xIMOLA with automated fluidic systems. The MOONS platform is a microplate-based system (24-well format) with components including MOONS tap, MOONS filter, MOONS automat, MOONS plate-I, and MOONS dummy. Supporting the hardware, the portfolio includes proprietary software: DALiA client 4.0 and DALiA analytics 2.0 for the IMOLA platform, and MOONS client 2.0 for the MOONS platform. The cellasys #8 assay enables recovery and repeated dosing experiments within 24 hours. A comprehensive accessories line supports both platforms. The company provides CRO services for organ-on-chip experiments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMOLA: Intelligent Mobile Lab - BioChip platform for determination of cellular vitality and changes in morphology
• MOONS
• DALiA
• cellasys #8

Products and services

• IMOLA BioChip platform Intelligent Mobile Lab (IMOLA) — a BioChip-based microphysiometry platform for determining cellular vitality and changes in morphology, available in single, triple, and 6xIMOLA configurations with automated fluidic system and temperature control. Targeted at pharmaceutical, toxicology, and life science research labs.
• MOONS Microplate platform Microphysiometric Organ-ON-chip System (MOONS) — a microplate platform for measuring changes in morphology on transparent substrate, including MOONS tap (24x morphology monitor), MOONS filter, MOONS automat (computer-controlled pipetting robot), and MOONS plate-I. For researchers needing microplate-format optical impedance monitoring.
• BioChip-D Gold-version multiparametric BioChip on glass substrate for measurement of cellular vitality and changes in morphology, used with the IMOLA platform. For pharma, toxicology, and basic research labs running label-free real-time cell assays.
• BioChip-C2 Platinum-version multiparametric BioChip on glass substrate for measurement of cellular vitality and changes in morphology, used with the IMOLA platform. Alternative sensor chemistry option to BioChip-D.
• DALiA client Data Acquisition and Link Application — software for real-time data acquisition from IMOLA BioChip experiments. For researchers running IMOLA-based microphysiometry.
• DALiA analytics Data Acquisition and Link Application — analysis software for processing and analyzing experimental data from the IMOLA platform. For IMOLA users performing post-experiment data analysis.
• MOONS client Application software for use with the MOONS tap, providing instrument control and data acquisition for the MOONS microplate platform. For MOONS platform users.
• cellasys #8 assay A microphysiometric assay for real-time cell analysis within 24 hours that enables monitoring of recovery and repeated doses after complete compound removal. For researchers running repeated-dose and recovery studies on the IMOLA platform.
• Accessories A range of accessories supporting the IMOLA and MOONS platforms, including fluidic heads, reference electrodes, FM cables, IMOLA support system (ISS-3), barrels, distribution caps, contact plates, gold strips, and LED modules. For customers running IMOLA and MOONS platforms.
• CRO Services Contract Research Organization services for pharmaceutical, toxicology, and life science research applications using cellasys microphysiometry and organ-on-chip platforms. Requested via the website contact form.

Quantifiable outcome

• Automated experiments without manual pipetting through computer-controlled fluidic system
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AMeLie Project (BMBF-funded)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Germany (BMBF) funded AMeLie project focused on New Advanced Systems Engineering methods for development processes based on product examples from medical technology and life sciences.
• BIOGRAPHY Project (BMBF-funded)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Germany (BMBF) funded BIOGRAPHY project on High resolution roll-to-roll printing of biocompatible graphene/protein multilayers for biomedical applications.
• NextFactory Project (EU-funded)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013EU-funded NextFactory project (All-in-one manufacturing platform for system in package and micromechatronic systems, Project ID: 608985). cellasys served as a project partner contributing expertise in microphysiometry and bioelectronic sensors.
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Technical University of Munich is the founding institution from which cellasys originated as a spin-off company in 2007. The spin-off objective focused on research, development, production, sales, and maintenance of cell-based systems and applications.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Nanion Technologies: Nanion is a Munich-based company manufacturing label-free cell-based assay instruments (e.g., patch clamp, impedance, flow systems). It directly competes with cellasys's IMOLA in label-free, real-time, automated cell analysis for pharma/biotech research customers.
• TissUse: TissUse is a Berlin-based organ-on-chip company developing multi-organ-chip platforms for substance testing and disease modeling. As a Germany-headquartered OoC specialist serving pharma and toxicology, it is one of the most direct competitors to cellasys's IMOLA/MOONS platform.
• Mimetas: Mimetas is a Dutch organ-on-chip company offering the OrganoPlate platform for 3D cell culture under perfusion. It is highly comparable to cellasys in target customer (pharma R&D, toxicology), technology overlap (microplate-based microphysiology), and disease modeling applications.
• InSphero: InSphero is a Swiss 3D-cell-based company developing Akura plates, organoids, and microtissue services for drug safety and efficacy. It overlaps with cellasys on label-free real-time monitoring of 3D spheroid and organoid cultures for pharma toxicity testing.
• CN Bio: CN Bio is a UK-based organ-on-chip company developing single- and multi-organ MPS platforms (PhysioMimix) for drug discovery and toxicity. It serves the same pharma/biotech buyers as cellasys and competes head-to-head in microphysiological systems for NAMs-compliant workflows.
• Emulate: Emulate is a leading US-based organ-on-chip company developing the Organ-Chip platform for in vitro modeling of human biology and disease. It competes directly with cellasys in microphysiological systems for drug development and toxicity testing, targeting the same pharma research and NAMs adoption audiences.
• Kirkstall: Kirkstall is a UK company developing Quasi Vivo interconnecting cell culture systems for multi-organ microphysiology. Its chamber-based systems for maintaining cells in vitro overlap with cellasys's microphysiological/automated fluidic approach and share toxicology and pharmacology end-users.

Emerging players

• Axosim: Axosim develops MicroBrain and iPSC-based neurological organoid platforms for preclinical research. It overlaps with cellasys's microphysiology approach in offering specialized organ-on-chip applications for drug discovery, though with a narrower neuroscience focus.

Broad incumbents

• Agilent Technologies: Agilent is a global analytical instruments and life sciences company with a broad portfolio covering cell analysis and lab automation. It is comparable to cellasys as a manufacturer of analytical laboratory instruments serving pharmaceutical and biotechnology research customers, though it operates across much wider product lines.
• Sartorius: Sartorius is a large German bioprocess and lab products supplier offering bioreactors, cell culture consumables, and analytics. It competes indirectly with cellasys through broader cell culture workflows and has the scale and installed base to push into microphysiology via partnerships or acquisitions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cellasys-gmbh

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 cellasys GmbH