Scigene

What Scigene does

SciGene Corporation is a privately held laboratory automation company founded in 2003 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, that designs and manufactures instruments and reagents for cytogenetics sample preparation workflows, with a particular focus on Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) and G-banding karyotype analysis. The company's product line centers on three integrated processing platforms: the MicroFISH Assay System, which condenses up to eight probe hybridizations onto a single slide using one microliter of sample and probe per test; the Little Dipper Processor family, available in configurations for FISH and G-Banding and for Agilent and Somalogic microarray post-hybridization processing; and the CytoBrite PLUS Slide Incubation System with its companion MicroFISH Hybridization Oven, which together provide CAP CYG.33950-compliant temperature control for ISH slide processing. Supporting consumables include CytoDrop Slides for metaphase spreading, CytoBond Removable Coverslip Sealant, CytoZyme Stabilized Pepsin, FISH Wash Buffers 1 and 2, and Sodium Thiocyanate Pretreatment Reagent, with the Hybex Microsample Incubator extending the platform into NGS sample preparation.

SciGene sells directly to customers in the United States and Canada through a customer service team and an online store, accepting purchase orders, credit cards, and wire transfers, while serving international markets through a network of regional distributors covering Australia/New Zealand, China/Hong Kong, Europe/Middle East/Northern Africa, Japan, Malaysia/Singapore, UK/Ireland, and Canada. Revenue is generated primarily through capital equipment sales (Little Dipper Processor, CytoBrite PLUS, MicroFISH Hybridization Oven, Hybex Incubator) and recurring consumables (FISH wash buffers, pepsin, slides, coverslip sealant), supplemented by optional service contracts and training. The company's primary customers are clinical cytogenetics laboratories performing FISH and chromosome testing for cancer diagnosis, with a secondary customer base of clinical genomics laboratories using Agilent microarrays, a segment in which SciGene claims near-universal North American adoption of its processing equipment. SciGene exited the Scorpion Slide Preparation Robot product line in January 2023, focusing resources on its core FISH and cytogenetics portfolio.

Name

Scigene

Legal name

SciGene Corporation

Website

https://scigene.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

SciGene Corporation, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, develops laboratory automation instruments and FISH/karyotyping consumables for clinical cytogenetics laboratories, with direct sales in North America and distributor coverage across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Automation Instruments

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Laboratory Consumables & Plasticware (Tips, Tubes, Plates, Filters) (HLAGAIAH)

Keywords

• Laboratory automation instruments
• Cytogenetics sample preparation
• FISH reagent consumables
• Karyotype analysis equipment
• Microarray processing instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Causeway Bay

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Automation Instruments: SciGene generates revenue primarily from selling laboratory automation instruments including the Little Dipper Processor, CytoBrite PLUS, Hybex Incubator, and MicroFISH Hybridization Oven. These are capital equipment purchases with one-time pricing, with optional accessories and service contracts available.
2. FISH Reagents and Consumables: Sale of FISH-specific reagents including CytoBond Removable Coverslip Sealant, CytoZyme Stabilized Pepsin, FISH Wash Buffers 1 and 2, Sodium Thiocyanate Pretreatment Reagent, and CytoDrop Slides. Consumables sold in various sizes with repeat purchase cycles.
3. Service Contracts and Training: Optional annual service contracts and installation/operator training programs for the Little Dipper Processor and other instruments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SciGene Corporation manufactures and sells laboratory automation instruments and specialty reagents for cytogenetics sample preparation workflows, with a focus on Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) and G-banding karyotype analysis. Its core portfolio includes the MicroFISH Assay System, Little Dipper Processor (for FISH/G-Banding and for Agilent/Somalogic microarrays), CytoBrite PLUS Slide Incubation System, MicroFISH Hybridization Oven, Hybex Microsample Incubator, CytoDrop Slides, and FISH reagent consumables (CytoBond, CytoZyme, FISH Wash Buffers, Sodium Thiocyanate). Products are sold direct in the US/Canada and through regional distributors internationally, primarily to clinical cytogenetics laboratories performing cancer and genetic testing.

Product overview

SciGene develops a portfolio of laboratory automation instruments and reagents for cytogenetics sample preparation workflows. The product line centers on three integrated processing systems: the MicroFISH System for cellular FISH panels, the Little Dipper Processor family (for FISH/G-Banding and for Agilent/Somalogic microarrays), and the CytoBrite PLUS Slide Incubation System with the companion MicroFISH Hybridization Oven. The Hybex Microsample Incubator provides tube and plate heating for NGS sample prep. These instruments are complemented by FISH reagent consumables including CytoBond Removable Coverslip Sealant, CytoZyme Stabilized Pepsin, FISH Wash Buffers 1 and 2, and Sodium Thiocyanate Pretreatment Reagent, plus CytoDrop Slides for metaphase chromosome spreading. The Scorpion Slide Preparation Robot was discontinued in 2023. Nearly all leading clinical genomics laboratories in North America using Agilent microarrays rely on SciGene processing equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MicroFISH: MicroFISH Assay System – a simple system for performing cellular FISH panels using a single slide with 1 µl of cell sample and probe solution per hybridization. Condenses a FISH panel of up to 8 probes onto a single slide.
• CytoBond
• CytoZyme
• CytoBrite
• CytoDrop
• Hybex
• Little Dipper

Products and services

• MicroFISH System Complete system for performing cellular FISH panels that condenses up to 8 probe hybridizations onto a single slide using 1 microliter of cell sample and probe per test; designed to work with the CytoBrite PLUS and Little Dipper Processor. Targeted at clinical cytogenetics laboratories running FISH workflows for cancer and genetic testing.
• Little Dipper Processor for FISH & G-Banding Automated slide processor that controls wash time, agitation, buffer temperatures and drying for FISH and karyotype analysis, processing batches of 1 to 24 slides with user-defined protocols. Targeted at clinical cytogenetics laboratories.
• Little Dipper Processor for Agilent/Somalogic Microarrays Automated post-hybridization processor for Agilent and Somalogic microarray slides that controls wash time, agitation, buffer temperatures and drying using an integrated centrifuge. Deployed in nearly every leading clinical genomics laboratory in North America using Agilent microarrays.
• CytoBrite PLUS Slide Incubation System Programmable FISH hybridizer with individual temperature sensors monitoring each of 12 slide positions, using PCR technology for rapid heating and cooling with removable 6-slide trays. Targeted at clinical cytogenetics labs running ISH/FISH assays.
• MicroFISH Hybridization Oven Temperature and humidity controlled oven for hybridization of MicroFISH Slides; maintains constant 50% relative humidity during probe hybridization for superior probe signal intensities; three pull-out drawers hold 162 MicroFISH Slides.
• Hybex Microsample Incubator Compact tube and plate heating system with heated lid for precise temperature control; specified by Illumina and other NGS instrument companies for sample preparation. Priced at $2,950 for the 115V heating base with separate block accessories.
• CytoDrop Slides for Metaphase Chromosome Analysis Specially manufactured slides with uniformly wettable surface for even spreading of metaphase chromosome samples edge to edge. Each lot is surface-analyzed and quality-checked for uniform sample flow. Priced at $50 per pack of 50.
• CytoBond Removable Coverslip Sealant Ready-to-use coverslip sealant for FISH assays that stays supple without humidification and comes off cleanly in one piece, eliminating scraping and potential damage to precious tissue samples. Priced at $95 per 100ml bottle, sufficient for up to 500 coverslips.
• CytoZyme Stabilized Pepsin Liquid formulation of purified pepsin with enhanced shelf life for preparing tissue samples for FISH assays, available in standard and high concentrate formulations. Standard 5ml: $75; 20ml: $250; 100ml: $950. Priced over 80% less than Abbott Kits.
• FISH Wash Buffers 1 and 2 Ready-to-use post-hybridization wash buffers (0.4xSSC/0.3% IGEPAL and 2xSSC/0.1% IGEPAL) provided in 4L containers with flow control spouts. Priced at $135 per 4L, with per-use cost as low as $0.60 USD.
• Sodium Thiocyanate Pretreatment Reagent (NaSCN) 1M liquid formulation of NaSCN for pre-treating tissue samples prior to application of nucleic acid probes for cytogenetic assays including FISH. Priced at $110 per 1L and $440 per 4L, approximately 20% less than the Abbott comparable product.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cuts probe cost up to 90%
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered regional and core.

• GeneWorks Pty LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Australia/New Zealand. Located at 28 Dagleish Street, Thebarton SA 5031, Australia. Contact: +61-8-8234 2644.
• Gene Company LimitedregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for China (Hong Kong). Located at 12 Lee Chung Street, Chai Wan, Hong Kong P.R. China. Contact: +852 2896 6283.
• AlphaMetrix Biotech GmbHregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Europe, Middle East, and Northern Africa. Located at Carl-Zeiss Strade 41, Rödermark DE-63322, Germany. Contact: +49 (0) 6074 211 6240.
• SCRUM, Inc.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Japan. Located at Haimu Teruta, 2-8-13 Midori, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0021, Japan. Contact: +81-(0)-3-5625-9711. Contact: Takemitsu Furuta.
• Sciencewerke Pte LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Malaysia and Singapore. Located at 102E Pasir Panjang Rd. #08-03, Citilink Warehouse Complex, Singapore 118529. Contact: +65 67771045.
• Pisces Scientific LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for UK and Ireland. Located at 8 Deer Park Avenue, Fairways Business Park, Livingston EH54 8AF, UK. Contact: +44 (01506 343033.
• Rainbow Scientific, Inc.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for FISH reagents in Canada. Located at 83 Maple Avenue, Windsor, CT 06095, USA. Contact: 1-860-298-8382.
• Agilent TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationSciGene's Little Dipper Processor is specifically designed for processing Agilent microarrays. Nearly every leading clinical genomics laboratory in North America using Agilent microarrays uses SciGene processing equipment.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hamilton Company: Hamilton is a benchmark provider of automated liquid-handling and sample-prep workstations for clinical and research labs, competing for the same automation budgets as SciGene's Little Dipper.
• Tecan: Tecan offers laboratory automation platforms and OEM instruments used in clinical genomics and cytogenetics workflows, overlapping with SciGene's bench automation footprint.
• MetaSystems: MetaSystems builds automated FISH imaging and karyotyping workstations for clinical cytogenetics labs — directly overlapping with SciGene's FISH and karyotype sample-prep workflow.
• BioView: BioView develops automated cell imaging systems for FISH and cytogenetics, targeting the same clinical cytogenetics laboratories that SciGene serves with its sample-prep instruments.
• Applied Spectral Imaging: ASI provides karyotyping and FISH imaging/automation platforms used by clinical cytogenetics laboratories, making it a direct competitor on the FISH/karyotype workflow side.
• CytoTest: CytoTest supplies FISH probes and ancillary reagents for clinical cytogenetics, competing directly with SciGene's FISH reagent/consumable line at the bench.

Broad incumbents

• Leica Biosystems: Leica Biosystems sells histology and cytogenetics workflow instruments and consumables to the same clinical lab customers that SciGene addresses, though across a much broader portfolio.
• Abbott Molecular: Abbott's molecular diagnostics division is the incumbent supplier of FISH probes, pepsin kits and pretreatment reagents against which SciGene prices its consumables 20–80% below.
• PerkinElmer: PerkinElmer (now Revvity/cyto cell lines) provides broad life-science instrumentation, FISH reagents, and clinical cytogenetics solutions that overlap with SciGene's instruments and consumables.
• Beckman Coulter Life Sciences: Beckman Coulter sells sample-prep automation, liquid handling, and clinical lab instruments used in cytogenetics and genomics workflows, addressing overlapping hospital lab buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=-Vio46mq4mc
• Xx.com/SciGene
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scigene

Compliance1 record

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 Scigene