Filgen

What Filgen does

Filgen, Inc. (フィルジェン株式会社) is a Nagoya-headquartered Japanese biotechnology company founded in 2004 that operates as a hybrid specialty distributor and contract research services provider for the life sciences sector. Its core activity is sourcing, distributing, and reselling scientific reagents, consumables, instruments, and bioinformatics software from more than 200 international manufacturers into the Japanese research market. The company manufactures a small proprietary equipment line at its Nagoya facility — including UV ozone cleaners and vacuum electron staining systems / osmium plasma coaters — and distributes patented third-party methods such as NEXOTECH's ExoGAG extracellular vesicle isolation kit and 3DBioFibR's CollaFibR collagen scaffolds.

Filgen runs in-house contract analysis services out of its Nagoya lab covering next-generation sequencing (including Olink Proximity Extension Assay proteomics, Arraystar NGS, and Sengenics KREX protein arrays), mass spectrometry, immunoassay services (RayBiotech IQELISA, Quanterix Simoa digital ELISA), and GLP-compliant ELISA workflows. It also distributes bioinformatics software on annual licenses, most recently the InsilicAll suite (PurgeSafe, Degrad Plus, Ionization Pro) which embeds AI-assisted solubility prediction (ChemInsight AI) and GNN-based retrosynthesis (RetroPathFinder). The product line spans from capillary consumables through to high-sensitivity proteomic platforms.

The business model combines one-time product distribution revenue, recurring annual software licensing, and project-based contract services pricing. GTM is exclusively domestic Japan, executed through direct sales for enterprise buyers, e-commerce through filgen.jp for mid-market accounts, email newsletter outreach, and event-driven lead generation at major Japanese scientific conferences. The customer base spans research institutions, universities, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and hospitals, with horizontal segmentation across research applications rather than vertical specialization.

Name

Filgen

Legal name

Filgen, Inc.

Website

https://filgen.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Filgen (フィルジェン株式会社) is a Nagoya-based Japanese specialty distributor and contract research services provider that resells reagents, instruments, and bioinformatics software from over 200 international biotech manufacturers to Japanese life sciences customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Life Science Research Products Distribution and Contract Analytical Services

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Biotechnology distribution
• Contract analytical services
• Scientific reagent supply
• Bioinformatics software
• Research instrument distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagoya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Distribution: Distribution of scientific reagents, consumables, instruments, and bioinformatics software from international manufacturers to Japanese research institutions. Products include antibodies, ELISA kits, PCR kits, cell culture products, nanomaterials, quantum dots, and specialized research reagents.
2. Contract Analysis Services: NGS sequencing services, mass spectrometry services, protein analysis, microarray services, and other laboratory analysis performed at their Nagoya facility.
3. Software Licensing: Distribution of bioinformatics software licenses, including annual subscriptions for platforms like PurgeSafe and other InsilicAll products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Filgen is a Japan-based distributor and contract analysis services provider for the life-science research market. It resells scientific instruments, reagents, consumables, nanomaterials, and bioinformatics software from over 200 international manufacturers to Japanese research institutions, and operates its own Nagoya laboratory offering NGS, mass spectrometry, protein array, and ELISA contract analysis services. It also manufactures proprietary UV ozone cleaners and vacuum electron staining / osmium plasma coater systems for electron microscopy sample preparation.

Product overview

Filgen is a Japanese biotech company primarily functioning as a distributor and reseller of foreign biotech products in Japan, combined with contract analysis services. The company operates across four main categories: (1) Contract analysis services covering next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, and protein arrays; (2) Proprietary scientific equipment including UV ozone cleaners and vacuum electron staining systems/osmium plasma coaters; (3) Distribution of scientific instruments from manufacturers like NanoCellect, Mission Bio, and Quanterix; and (4) Distribution of reagents, nanomaterials, and bioinformatics software from over 200 international manufacturers. The company also provides its own branded equipment (UV ozone cleaners, vacuum electron staining systems) manufactured at their Nagoya facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contract Analysis Services (受託解析サービス) Comprehensive contract analysis services including next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, antibody/protein array, and GLP-compliant ELISA services performed at Filgen's Nagoya facility, intended for academic researchers, pharmaceutical R&D, and clinical diagnostics customers in Japan.
• UV Ozone Cleaner (UVオゾンクリーナー) Filgen's proprietary UV ozone cleaning equipment for surface treatment and cleaning applications, available in compact portable and benchtop models.
• Vacuum Electron Staining System / Osmium Plasma Coater (真空電子染色装置 / オスミウムプラズマコーター) Touch-panel controlled vacuum electron staining equipment and osmium plasma coaters for electron microscopy sample preparation, featuring high safety standards and reproducible film thickness.
• Scientific Equipment Distribution (科学機器) Distribution of scientific instruments in Japan from manufacturers including NanoCellect (cell sorters), Mission Bio Tapestri, Quanterix Simoa (digital ELISA), optical imaging systems, spectroscopy equipment, and 3D bioprinters, intended for life-science research institutions.
• Reagents and Materials Distribution (試薬・材料・消耗品) Distribution of research reagents covering antibodies and proteins, ELISA and assay kits, cell culture products, nanomaterials (quantum dots, graphene, nanoparticles), organic electronics materials, and custom synthesis services for Japanese researchers and pharmaceutical companies.
• Bioinformatics Software Distribution (ソフトウェア) Distribution of bioinformatics software including NGS data analysis platforms, protein structure analysis, drug discovery and design tools (such as InsilicAll's PurgeSafe, Degrad Plus, and Ionization Pro), multi-omics analysis platforms, and database solutions, sold as annual licenses for Japanese researchers.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.

• InsilicAllcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 June 2026Filgen distributes InsilicAll's bioinformatics software including PurgeSafe (mutagenic impurity removal assessment), Degrad Plus (drug stability evaluation), and Ionization Pro (physicochemical property prediction) for pharmaceutical research.
• Arraystar (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 June 2026Filgen distributes Arraystar's next-generation sequencing contract services including m7G TRAC sequencing, mim-tRNA-seq, m3C HAC-seq, and various RNA profiling arrays for transcriptomics research.
• Bytelab Solutions (Spain)standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 June 2026Filgen became the domestic sales agent in Japan for Bytelab Solutions' products. Bytelab provides platforms for simulation and characterization of bio-based polymers, surfactants, and friction modifiers, supporting the transition from petrochemical feedstocks to bio-based carbon-neutral materials.
• Axxya Systems (USA)standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 June 2026Filgen became the domestic sales agent in Japan for Axxya Systems' Nutritionist Pro nutritional analysis software. The application is used by over 100 countries in medical, manufacturing, and academic institutions to simplify nutritional information calculations.
• Bio-ReCellstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 June 2026Filgen distributes Bio-ReCell's Atract T-Cell Activation Kit based on proprietary technology. The magnetic bead-free T-cell activation reagent enables scalable and efficient cell expansion for cancer immunotherapy and CAR-T cell therapy research.
• Syringa Lab Supplies (USA)standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 June 2026Filgen became the domestic sales agent in Japan for Syringa Lab Supplies' septum-capped centrifugal tubes. These tubes allow sample access with needles and pipettes without removing caps, reducing contamination and sample volatilization risks.
• Quanterix (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 January 2025Filgen distributes Quanterix ultra-high sensitivity digital ELISA Simoa platforms. The Simoa technology achieves femtomolar-level (fg/mL) detection sensitivity, approximately 1000x more sensitive than conventional ELISA's picomolar level (pg/mL).
• Sengenics (Malaysia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Filgen is the only certified service provider (CSP) in Japan for Sengenics' protein array services using proprietary KREX technology. Analysis is performed at Filgen's contract service center in Nagoya. Arrays include 1,800 functional human proteins on their flagship array.
• Milliplex (Merck Millipore)standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 October 2024Filgen offers multiplex suspension array contract services using Milliplex MAP kits from Merck Millipore, including autoimmune and cancer autoantibody panels.
• RayBiotech (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2024Filgen offers IQELISA contract analysis services using RayBiotech's IQELISA technology at their Nagoya facility. IQELISA combines ELISA specificity with real-time PCR sensitivity through immuno-PCR assay.
• Olink (Sweden)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 November 2022Filgen provides Olink Proteomics Target 48/96 contract analysis services using Olink's proprietary Proximity Extension Assay technology combined with quantitative PCR for screening many proteins from small sample amounts.
• Olink (Sweden)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 August 2022Filgen provides Olink Proteomics contract services using Olink Explore platform which combines Proximity Extension Assay technology with next-generation sequencing for high-multiplex, high-throughput protein biomarker analysis.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Abcam (Danaher): Global supplier of protein research tools including antibodies and immunoassays, now part of Danaher. Overlaps with Filgen's antibody/ELISA distribution and contract analysis offerings as a major international principal that Filgen may carry or compete against in Japan.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Global life science research and clinical diagnostics manufacturer with direct Japan operations. Comparable to Filgen as a broader incumbent in analytical instruments, reagents, and lab services, though much larger and with proprietary IP rather than a pure distribution model.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Largest global life sciences tools and services company with significant Japan operations, including its PPD CRO business. Operates across the same product and service categories as Filgen but at massive scale with proprietary technology.

Direct peers

• Cosmo Bio Co., Ltd. Major Japanese life sciences reagent and instrumentation distributor with a multi-decade track record. Competes with Filgen head-to-head for international manufacturer agency rights and Japanese research institution contracts.
• Funakoshi Co., Ltd. Tokyo-based Japanese distributor of molecular biology, cell biology, and bioinformatics research reagents and tools. Closely comparable to Filgen in serving Japanese academic and pharmaceutical researchers with imported products.
• Nacalai Tesque, Inc. Long-established Japanese reagent manufacturer and distributor supplying life science and analytical chemistry products to universities and pharma. Overlaps with Filgen's reagent and consumables distribution model.
• Takara Bio Inc. Japanese biotech that both develops proprietary life science reagents/tools and distributes international research products. Closely comparable to Filgen in combining proprietary and distributed product portfolios for Japanese researchers.
• Medical & Biological Laboratories (MBL) Co., Ltd. Japanese life sciences company developing and distributing antibodies, ELISA kits, and research reagents for immunology and cell biology research. Comparable to Filgen in serving Japanese academic and clinical researchers with specialty research reagents.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global contract laboratory services provider with a Japan presence, offering genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics testing. Comparable to Filgen's contract analysis services line of business (NGS, mass spec, protein arrays).

Regional players

• Charles River Laboratories: Global CRO and preclinical research services provider with Japan operations offering discovery and safety assessment services. Comparable to Filgen's contract analytical services but focused on regulated drug development rather than research tools distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/filgen.jp
• Xx.com/Filgen_Inc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/filgen-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Filgen