Aurox

What Aurox does

Aurox Ltd is a UK-based private scientific instrument company that designs and manufactures laser-free confocal fluorescence microscopy systems based on its patented structured illumination and structured detection method. Founded in 2004 by four scientists from the University of Oxford's Scanning Optical Microscopy group, the company is headquartered at Culham Campus in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Its two principal products are Unity, an all-in-one benchtop confocal microscope under 25kg with an integrated custom dual-chip sCMOS camera, multispectral LED source, and iPad-based iOS control, and Clarity, a compact 6kg upgrade module that adds laser-free confocal capability to existing fluorescence microscopes from Nikon, Leica, Olympus, and Zeiss. A high-speed variant, ClarityHS, delivers up to 100 fps imaging for dynamic live-cell applications, and the Visionary software provides a color-coded workflow for z-stack, mosaic tiling, time-lapse, and multi-channel acquisition.

The company generates revenue through hardware sales of confocal instruments, accessories, and consumables (LED light sources, cameras, filter cubes, sample holders), plus custom filter cube manufacturing. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with products positioned as affordable, lower total-cost-of-ownership alternatives to laser-based confocals because they eliminate laser safety restrictions, reduce photo-bleaching and photo-toxicity, and avoid laser replacement costs. Aurox serves primarily academic and research institution customers in Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Materials Sciences, with a documented installed base of more than 400 systems worldwide and go-to-market conducted through a global network of 17 specialized microscopy distributors across North America, Europe, and Asia, supplemented by direct sales via its website. The company operates with a small team (1-10 reported employees), has no disclosed external funding or acquisitions, and has shifted strategic focus to Life Sciences Research since 2017.

Name

Aurox

Legal name

Aurox Limited

Website

https://aurox.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aurox designs and manufactures patented laser-free confocal fluorescence microscopy instruments, including the Unity benchtop system and the Clarity upgrade module, serving academic and research labs in life, medical, and materials sciences through a global distributor network and direct sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Microscopy Instruments

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Confocal microscopy
• Fluorescence imaging
• Laser-free imaging
• Live cell imaging
• Scientific imaging equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Abingdon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Confocal Imaging Instruments: Sale of hardware products including Unity (all-in-one benchtop confocal) and Clarity (compact confocal upgrade). Products are sold directly and through distributor network to research institutions and laboratories.
2. Accessories and Consumables: Sale of compatible light sources (LED and metal halide), cameras, filter cubes, sample holders, and other accessories. Wide range of supported third-party cameras and light sources available for purchase.
3. Custom Filter Cubes: Custom filter cubes can be produced for specific applications, providing additional revenue stream from specialized product customization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Aurox manufactures fast, versatile confocal fluorescence microscopy instruments based on its patented structured illumination and structured detection method, the enabling technology for laser-free confocal imaging. The portfolio includes Unity, an all-in-one benchtop confocal microscope, and Clarity, a compact upgrade module that converts existing fluorescence microscopes into laser-free confocal systems, along with accessories and custom filter cubes.

Product overview

Aurox manufactures laser-free confocal fluorescence microscopy instruments based on its patented structured illumination and structured detection method. The product portfolio consists of two main confocal imaging systems: Unity is an all-in-one benchtop confocal microscope with integrated components (camera, LED light source, iPad controller) designed for laboratories seeking a complete turnkey solution for live-cell imaging. Clarity is a compact add-on module that upgrades existing fluorescence microscopes to laser-free confocal capability, offering an affordable entry point with support for a wide range of microscope brands (Nikon, Leica, Olympus, Zeiss), cameras (Hamamatsu, PCO, Photometrics, Andor, Tucsen), and light sources. Both products share Aurox's core patented technology providing laser-free confocal imaging with lower photo-bleaching and reduced photo-toxicity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clarity: The compact, easy and affordable upgrade to laser-free confocal imaging for existing fluorescence microscopes. Suitable for microscopes and macroscopes with standard C-mount connector.
• Unity

Products and services

• Unity All-in-one benchtop laser-free confocal microscope system weighing less than 25kg, with integrated dual sCMOS camera, multispectral LED light source, and iPad controller. Designed for life sciences research laboratories needing a complete turnkey solution for live cell imaging.
• Clarity Compact, affordable laser-free confocal upgrade module (6kg, 308 x 226 x 135 mm) that attaches to existing fluorescence microscopes from Nikon, Leica, Olympus, and Zeiss via standard C-mount. Packaged with 15 years of Aurox confocal microscopy expertise.
• ClarityHS High-speed version of Clarity providing up to 100 frames per second imaging when paired with compatible high-speed cameras (e.g., Hamamatsu Flash 4.0 V3 with Camera Link option) and Shuttle computer.
• Visionary Software Device control and image acquisition software for Clarity, providing a fast color-coded workflow interface for setting experimental protocols, z-stack imaging, mosaic tiling, time-lapse, and multi-channel multi-position imaging.
• Custom Filter Cubes Custom filter cubes produced for specific applications, providing specialized product customization as an additional offering for Clarity and Unity users.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 Aurox configured laser-free confocal systems installed worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration24 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and integration.

• W Nuhsbaum InccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS-based distributor of microscopy and imaging equipment representing Aurox products in the North American market.
• Meyer Instruments InccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS-based distributor of microscopy and imaging solutions representing Aurox products.
• Microscope WorldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS-based microscope and imaging equipment distributor.
• Nobska ImagingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorImaging equipment distributor representing Aurox products.
• Frogga BiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLife sciences equipment distributor.
• PTC International LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based international distributor of microscopy and laboratory equipment.
• Cornell ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScientific equipment distributor.
• Optic Solution LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based optical solutions distributor.
• Oriental Horizon Technology Co LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChina-based distributor representing Aurox products in Asian markets.
• ICITcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational scientific equipment distributor.
• ImagXcellcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCellular imaging equipment distributor.
• Image Science KftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHungary-based imaging science distributor.
• BiozymecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLife sciences equipment distributor serving multiple regions.
• Photon LinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean photonics and imaging equipment distributor.
• Holger Hartmann AScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorway-based microscopy and imaging equipment distributor.
• MEDIA System Lab SrcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian laboratory systems and imaging equipment distributor.
• XimeastrategicTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner that collaborated with Aurox to develop the custom dual sCMOS camera system (two 2k x 2k chips) specifically designed for Unity's confocal imaging requirements.
• HamamatsuintegrationTechnology or IntegrationCamera manufacturer whose Orca Flash 4.0 series cameras are supported by Clarity system for high-speed imaging up to 100 fps.
• LumencorintegrationTechnology or IntegrationLight source manufacturer whose Sola and Spectra X LED light sources are supported for use with Clarity confocal system.
• CoolLEDintegrationTechnology or IntegrationLED light source manufacturer whose pE series (pE-300, pE-400, pE-800, pE-4000) are supported light source options for Clarity.
• PCOintegrationTechnology or IntegrationScientific camera manufacturer whose Panda and Edge camera models are supported for use with Clarity confocal system.
• PhotometricsintegrationTechnology or IntegrationScientific camera manufacturer whose 95 Prime BSI and 95 Prime B cameras are supported for Clarity imaging.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nikon Instruments: Manufacturer of confocal microscope systems (AX/AX R) and a wide range of research microscopes. Aurox explicitly supports Nikon microscopes as integration targets, and Nikon sells competing full confocal platforms to the same academic customers.
• Carl Zeiss (Zeiss Research Microscopy): Market-leading manufacturer of laser-based confocal microscope systems (LSM series) and a broad microscopy portfolio. Directly competes with Aurox in the same life-science research customer base, with much larger R&D and global service infrastructure.
• Leica Microsystems: Danaher-owned microscopy and confocal imaging vendor (STELLARIS, TCS SP8) serving the same academic and pharmaceutical research segments as Aurox. Strong global brand and service network make it a direct competitor for confocal budgets.
• Evident (formerly Olympus Life Science): Sells the FV3000 confocal microscope series and broader life-science microscopy portfolio. Like Zeiss and Leica, it is a direct competitor to Aurox Unity and also a supported microscope brand for the Clarity upgrade.
• Crest Optics: Italian specialist in spinning-disk confocal modules (X-Light) that upgrade existing microscopes — the closest like-for-like competitor to Aurox's Clarity product in form factor and channel model.
• Yokogawa Electric: Manufactures the CSU series of spinning-disk confocal scanners, the closest direct technical analog to Aurox's structured illumination spinning disk technology. Sells to OEMs and end-users in the same live-cell imaging research segment.
• Bruker: Acquired Vutara and offers super-resolution and light-sheet microscopy systems (Vutara, Luxendo) to the same life-science research market. Competes for advanced imaging budgets alongside Aurox's confocal offerings.

Emerging players

• Intelligent Imaging Innovations (3i): Developer of the Slide Book / Vutara super-resolution and live-cell imaging platforms. Competes with Aurox for advanced microscopy and live-cell imaging budgets in academic core facilities.
• VisiTech International: UK-based specialist in confocal and high-speed imaging systems (VT-Infinity). Smaller competitor with overlapping live-cell and high-speed confocal positioning to Aurox's ClarityHS.
• Oxford Instruments (Andor Technology): Manufactures scientific cameras (Zyla, iXon) and microscopy software (Fusion) used in confocal and super-resolution workflows. An Aurox technology ecosystem partner (Andor cameras are supported by Clarity) and a partial competitor in advanced imaging solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aurox-ltd
• Xx.com/AuroxLtd

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 Aurox