MIDI
MIDI, Inc. develops and sells the Sherlock™ chromatographic software platform for microbial identification, mycobacterial testing, DNA sequencing, and forensic fire debris analysis, serving public health, pharmaceutical, and research laboratories across more than 50 countries as a subsidiary of Biolog Inc.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersNewark, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What MIDI does
MIDI, Inc. is a small, veteran-owned biotechnology company founded in 1991 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware. The company develops and commercializes the Sherlock™ software platform for automated chromatographic data analysis and pattern recognition, with a portfolio spanning the Sherlock Microbial Identification System (MIS) for bacterial ID via GC-FAME/PLFA analysis, the Sherlock MYCO-LCS for mycobacterial identification via HPLC mycolic acid analysis, the Sherlock DNA Sequencing Software for 16S/28S rRNA gene sequencing, and the Sherlock X Fire Debris Analysis solution for forensic GC-MS analysis. MIDI also offers Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFA) analysis for soil microbial community profiling and an extension of its GC-FID tools into edible and marine oil authentication. The company is described as the only global commercializer of GC-FAME/PLFA and HPLC mycolic acid analysis for microbial identification, with its technology cited in over 1,000 journal articles and adopted across more than 50 countries.
MIDI's business model combines one-time hardware-plus-software system sales (Sherlock MIS, MYCO-LCS, DNA Sequencing) configured around Agilent gas chromatographs and HPLC instruments with five packaged MIS options (Base, Biodefense, Clinical, Pharmaceutical, Research), recurring consumables revenue (extraction kits, calibration mixtures, library access), and contract laboratory services covering bacterial/fungal ID via DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF, probiotic enumeration, FAME, and PLFA. Per-sample economics are highly attractive at roughly $3 per bacterial ID and $6 per mycobacterial test. Go-to-market is sales-led, with direct sales from the Newark headquarters in the USA and an Authorized Agent/Distributor Network of more than 50 international partners supported by trade show presence at events such as ArabLab and EUROSOIL.
In January 2023, MIDI was acquired by Biolog Inc. for an undisclosed sum, integrating its fatty acid and mycolic acid analysis capabilities into Biolog's broader microbial identification portfolio; the MIDI website remains active, indicating continued operation as a Biolog subsidiary. Customer segments span state and county public health laboratories (tuberculosis and mycobacterial ID), large hospitals, pharmaceutical QA/QC labs, fire investigation/forensics labs, and academic/commercial research institutions. Leadership includes CEO Myron Sasser, who also serves as Lab R&D Director.
MIDI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MIDI
- Legal name
- MIDI, Inc.
- Website
- https://midi-inc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MIDI, Inc. develops and sells the Sherlock™ chromatographic software platform for microbial identification, mycobacterial testing, DNA sequencing, and forensic fire debris analysis, serving public health, pharmaceutical, and research laboratories across more than 50 countries as a subsidiary of Biolog Inc.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MIDI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Microbial Identification Software
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Medical Laboratories (621511), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems (HLAGAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Bioinformatics & Multi-omics Analysis Software (HLAGAJAD)
Keywords
Where MIDI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newark
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MIDI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Laboratory Systems and Equipment: Sale of Sherlock Microbial Identification Systems, Sherlock Mycobacteria Identification Systems, and Sherlock DNA Sequencing Software. Systems are sold with customized configurations and five package options (Base, Biodefense, Clinical, Pharmaceutical, Research).
- Consumables: Sale of consumables required for the Sherlock systems including extraction kits, calibration mixtures, and library access. COAs and MSDS available for consumables.
- Contract Laboratory Services: Contract laboratory services for bacterial and fungal identification (DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF), as well as Probiotic Enumeration, Fatty Acid Analysis (FAME), and Soil Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFA) analysis.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sherlock MIS Bacterial Identification - $3.00 per sample |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | MYCO-LCS Mycobacterial Identification - Less than $6.00 per test |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Sherlock Systems - Custom configurations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
MIDI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MIDI develops and sells the Sherlock™ software platform that performs automated chromatographic data analysis and pattern recognition for microbial identification, mycobacterial identification, soil microbial community analysis (PLFA), DNA sequencing, and forensic fire debris analysis. The company packages its software with customized Agilent gas chromatograph and HPLC instrument configurations and offers five Sherlock MIS package options (Base, Biodefense, Clinical, Pharmaceutical, Research), complemented by consumables and contract laboratory services.
Product overview
MIDI Inc. offers the Sherlock™ software platform, a comprehensive suite of chromatographic-based microbial identification and analysis solutions. The portfolio consists of five core product lines: (1) Sherlock™ Microbial Identification System (MIS) for bacterial ID via GC-FAME analysis, (2) Sherlock™ Mycobacteria ID System (MYCO-LCS) for mycobacterial identification via HPLC, (3) Sherlock DNA Sequencing Software for 16S/28S rRNA gene sequencing, (4) Sherlock X Fire Debris Analysis for forensic GC-MS analysis, and (5) PLFA/Eible Oil Analysis for soil microbial community and edible oil authentication. The platform centers on MIDI's proprietary pattern recognition algorithms for chromatographic data analysis and is complemented by contract laboratory services and consumable supplies. All systems are built around Agilent gas chromatograph and HPLC instrumentation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sherlock™: Sherlock™ is MIDI's flagship software platform used worldwide for identifying bacteria, microbial communities, fatty acids, hydrocarbons and complex matrices. Includes GC-FID Solutions for bacterial ID, microbial community analysis, and edible oil analysis; GC-MS Solutions for fire debris analysis; and HPLC Solutions for mycobacterial identification.
- Sherlock™ Microbial Identification System (MIS)
- Sherlock™ MYCO-LCS
- Sherlock X
- Sherlock DNA
Products and services
- Sherlock™ Microbial Identification System (MIS) Gas chromatography-based software system for bacterial identification and microbial community analysis using fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis. Identifies bacteria in as little as 15 minutes for less than $3.00 USD per sample. Used in more than 40 countries and cited in more than 1,000 journal articles.
- Sherlock™ Mycobacteria ID System (MYCO-LCS) High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) software system for rapid mycobacterial identification. Identifies 25 mycobacterial species and more than 35 species from other genera including M. tuberculosis, Corynebacteria, Dietzia, Gordonia, Nocardia, Rhodococcus, and Tsukamurella. Identifies mycobacterial and non-mycobacterial species in less than 30 minutes from pure culture for less than $6.00 USD per test.
- Sherlock DNA Sequencing Software 16S/28S rRNA gene sequencing software for microbial identification. Works with any DNA sequencer from any vendor and integrates with the Sherlock Software platform for combined reporting of DNA-FAME results. Includes validated libraries for bacterial ID (500bp and full gene 16S) and fungi/yeast ID (500bp 28S).
- Sherlock X Fire Debris Analysis GC-MS based software solution for forensic fire debris analysis. Automatically identifies over 130 hydrocarbon compounds associated with ignitable liquids, with ASTM E1618 compliant categorization and pattern recognition algorithms.
- Sherlock™ GC-FID Edible Oil Analysis Extension of Sherlock technology for edible oil and marine oil analysis using gas chromatography. Provides rapid authentication and quality assessment of oils.
- Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFA) Analysis Soil microbial community analysis using PLFA peak naming methodology. Used for soil health assessment and microbial diversity profiling, with more than 300 journal articles referencing PLFA and soil microbial community analysis.
- Contract Laboratory Services Laboratory services for bacterial and fungal identification including DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF, as well as Probiotic Enumeration, Fatty Acid Analysis (FAME), and Soil Phospholipid Fatty Acid analysis.
- Sherlock MIS Consumables Chemical reagents, library databases, and consumable supplies for running Sherlock microbial identification systems including E-FAME kits, calibration mixtures, and peak naming tables. COAs and MSDS available.
Quantifiable outcome
- 15 minutes identification time for bacterial cultures
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use MIDI
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MIDI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MIDI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Biolog Inc.coreIn January 2023, Biolog Inc. acquired MIDI Inc., a firm specializing in microbial identification and analysis, for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition expanded Biolog's portfolio to offer comprehensive microbial profiling solutions combining MIDI's fatty acid analysis and mycolic acid analysis technologies with Biolog's existing capabilities.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
MIDI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths3 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MIDI social profiles
Digital presenceMIDI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MIDI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MIDI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MIDI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MIDI
What does MIDI do?
MIDI develops and sells the Sherlock™ software platform that performs automated chromatographic data analysis and pattern recognition for microbial identification, mycobacterial identification, soil microbial community analysis (PLFA), DNA sequencing, and forensic fire debris analysis. The company packages its software with customized Agilent gas chromatograph and HPLC instrument configurations and offers five Sherlock MIS package options (Base, Biodefense, Clinical, Pharmaceutical, Research), complemented by consumables and contract laboratory services.
Is MIDI a public or private company?
MIDI is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MIDI founded?
MIDI was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MIDI based?
MIDI is headquartered in Newark, United States, in the North America region.
How does MIDI make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Laboratory Systems and Equipment is the primary driver. The others are consumables and contract Laboratory Services.
Does MIDI have an API?
No public API is recorded for MIDI.
What industry is MIDI in?
MIDI's product category is Microbial Identification Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAA, Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems, with a secondary code of HLAGAJAD, Bioinformatics & Multi-omics Analysis Software. Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.