MIDI

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.

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

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

• Microbial identification systems
• Chromatographic data analysis
• Fatty acid analysis
• Mycobacterial identification
• Forensic fire debris analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Newark

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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).
2. Consumables: Sale of consumables required for the Sherlock systems including extraction kits, calibration mixtures, and library access. COAs and MSDS available for consumables.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Biolog Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023In 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

Market position

Strengths3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MIDI_Group
• Facebookfacebook.com/MIDIGROUP

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 MIDI