What Bex Co. does

BEX CO., LTD. (株式会社ベックス) is a privately held Japanese biotechnology company founded in 1990 and headquartered in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, that operates a vertically integrated business combining scientific instrument manufacturing with contract research services. The instrument portfolio centers on electroporation devices — most prominently the CUY21EDIT II, the industry-first electroporator capable of outputting both constant voltage and constant current pulses, the Genome Editor and Genome Editor Plus for CRISPR/Cas embryo editing, and the CFB16-HB cell fusion/oocyte activation platform — supported by a deep accessory ecosystem of gamma-sterilized disposable electrodes, platinum plate electrodes, micromanipulators, microinjectors, fluorescent adapters, and embryo culture systems. Notable technical differentiators include the proprietary Straight Walk/Right Walk ligation-mediated genome walking kit (Patent No. 4603798), capable of analyzing organisms with genomes 10x larger than human, and the company's support for the i-GONAD in vivo electroporation method for generating genome-edited embryos.

The contract research services portfolio spans custom oligo DNA/RNA synthesis, peptide synthesis, polyclonal and monoclonal antibody production, STR-based cell line authentication (human 10/16-locus and mouse 20-locus), Sanger DNA sequencing with primer walking, microbial 16S/18S rRNA identification, gene synthesis, vector cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression in E. coli and mammalian cells, and stable cell line establishment. Pricing for services is publicly disclosed in yen on the Japanese website, with prepaid oligo point cards (¥50K/¥100K/¥500K tiers) providing a 10% post-purchase discount to drive recurring volume. The company also holds an inbound license from GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences to synthesize Cy3 and Cy5 modified oligonucleotides.

The business model is dual: one-time capital equipment sales of manufactured instruments (with maintenance and recurring consumables) and fee-for-service contract research priced per unit, per base, per residue, or per sample. Go-to-market is direct-only — no third-party distributors or resellers — through a bilingual Japanese/English website (bexnet.co.jp), a dedicated order portal (bexit.bexnet.co.jp), phone (03-5375-1071), and active exhibition at Japanese academic societies (Toxicology, Genome Editing, Developmental Biology, Embryology, Experimental Animal Science, Anatomy, Physiology). Customers are Japanese universities, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and public research institutes; the company became the first domestic Japanese electroporator manufacturer to obtain company-wide ISO 9001:2015 certification (Intertek/UKAS, registration 12839, valid through 2027-11-07). Revenue is undisclosed, but registered capital is only ¥20M and headcount is not provided, indicating a small closely-held specialty business.

Name

Bex Co.

Legal name

株式会社ベックス (BEX CO., LTD.)

Website

https://bexnet.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BEX CO., LTD. is a Tokyo-based privately held Japanese manufacturer and contract research provider specializing in electroporation instruments (CUY21EDIT II, Genome Editor series, CFB16-HB) and custom nucleic acid/peptide/gene synthesis services, serving Japanese universities, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and public research institutes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Instruments / Contract Research Services

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

mRNA & Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Services (mRNA/saRNA/Plasmid DNA) (HLAGAGAC), RNA Manufacturing & CMC (oligo synthesis, IVT, purification, formulation, QC) (HLAAADAF)

Keywords

• Electroporation instruments
• Contract research services
• Oligonucleotide synthesis
• Genome editing equipment
• Cell line authentication

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Scientific Instruments (Hardware Sales): Sale of manufactured electroporation devices (CUY21EDIT II, Genome Editor, Genome Editor Plus, CFB16-HB), electrodes, microinjectors, fluorescent adapters, culture devices, oligo synthesizers, and micromanipulators. One-time capital equipment purchase model with maintenance and repair services available.
2. Contract Research Services: Fee-for-service research outsourcing including oligo DNA/RNA synthesis, peptide synthesis, gene analysis (STR analysis, DNA sequencing, microbial identification), genetic engineering experiments, and protein expression. Revenue is earned per project based on sample count, sequence length, or complexity.
3. Research Consumables and Kits: Sale of research kits (Straight Walk kits, primer sets), consumables, and oligo synthesizers. Recurring revenue from consumable repurchases alongside instrument placements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

BEX Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells electroporation, cell-fusion, and micro-manipulation scientific instruments (CUY21EDIT II, Genome Editor/Plus, CFB16-HB, LF series, micromanipulators, microinjectors, oligonucleotide synthesizers, fluorescence adapters, and consumables). Alongside the hardware, BEX operates a fee-for-service contract research laboratory offering custom oligo DNA/RNA synthesis, peptide synthesis, polyclonal and monoclonal antibody production, STR cell-line authentication, Sanger sequencing, microbial identification, genotyping, real-time PCR, artificial gene synthesis, vector cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression in E. coli and mammalian cells, and stable cell line establishment.

Product overview

BEX Co., Ltd. is a Japanese biotechnology company and scientific instrument manufacturer offering two integrated portfolios: research outsourcing services and laboratory equipment. The service portfolio includes custom synthesis services (oligo DNA/RNA, peptides, antibodies), gene analysis services (STR analysis for cell authentication, Sanger sequencing, microbial sequencing, genotyping), genetic engineering experiments (gene synthesis, vector cloning, mutagenesis, protein expression in E. coli and animal cells, stable cell line establishment), and cell-related services. The equipment portfolio centers on electroporation devices including the CUY21EDIT II (next-generation in vivo/in vitro electroporator with constant current capability), Genome Editor, Genome Editor Plus, and CFB16-HB cell fusion system, along with supporting accessories (electrodes, micromanipulators, microinjectors), and specialty instruments for fluorescence observation, embryo culture, and animal research. The company positions itself as a 'second laboratory' providing comprehensive research support from custom synthesis through to genome editing applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CUY21 Series: Line of electroporation devices for gene introduction in in vivo, in vitro, and genome editing applications, including CUY21EDIT II as flagship model.
• Genome Editor
• Genome Editor Plus
• CFB16-HB
• LF Series
• Straight Walk (Right Walk)

Products and services

• CUY21EDIT II Electroporator Next-generation electroporator supporting constant voltage and constant current pulses for in vivo and in vitro gene transfer applications including genome editing, with integrated touch panel and USB data export. Designed for life-science research labs performing reproducible electroporation experiments.
• Genome Editor Electroporator Electroporator designed for embryo genome editing using CRISPR/Cas systems, featuring high-efficiency gene delivery to mouse zygotes and support for pig and cattle embryos. For developmental biology and genome editing laboratories.
• Genome Editor Plus Electroporator Electroporator combining embryo genome editing, tetraploid preparation, and oocyte activation in a single instrument with independent GenomeEdit and Fusion/Activation modes. For advanced reproductive biology and genome editing workflows.
• CFB16-HB Cell Fusion and Oocyte Activation Device Cell fusion, oocyte activation, and genome editing device with independent activation mode and compact touch panel display. For somatic cell nuclear transfer, hybridoma preparation, and assisted reproductive technology.
• CUY21Vivo-SQ In Vivo Electroporator In vivo electroporator for gene transfer into living organisms with optimized parameters for tissue-specific delivery. For in vivo gene function studies.
• CUY21Vitro-EX In Vitro Electroporator In vitro electroporator for gene transfer into cultured cells and tissues. For cell-line-based genetic manipulation workflows.
• Genome Editor for Plants Electroporator DNA-free genome editing electroporator designed for plant applications. For agricultural and plant molecular biology research.
• BJ-120 Electric Microinjector Electric microinjector for precision injection of substances into cells and embryos. For microinjection and embryo manipulation workflows.
• Microscope Fluorescence Adapter Series (ULFAS / OLFAS / SiLFAS) Epifluorescence adapters for microscopes and stereomicroscopes enabling fluorescence observation in research samples (incident illumination for ULFAS/OLFAS, oblique illumination for SiLFAS).
• GuruGuru Mouse Embryo Culture System Embryo culture system for mouse and rat embryos enabling controlled incubation and observation. For reproductive biology and developmental research.
• Atatame 3 Portable Egg/Cell Warmer Portable temperature maintenance device for keeping eggs and cells warm during handling and transport. For cell and embryo handling workflows.
• Shasta High-Throughput Oligonucleotide Synthesizer High-throughput oligonucleotide synthesizer for large-scale custom DNA synthesis. For oligo production cores and contract research labs.
• Micromanipulator Systems (Manual / Hydraulic / Pneumatic Injector) Range of micromanipulator systems (manual, hydraulic, compact manual) plus pneumatic injectors and 3D joysticks for precision positioning of micropipettes and electrodes in cell and embryo research.
• LF301 / LF101 Cell Fusion, Nuclear Transfer and Oocyte Activation Device Cell fusion, nuclear transfer, and oocyte activation devices for somatic cell nuclear transfer, embryo manipulation, cloning, and hybridoma preparation.
• Custom Oligo DNA Synthesis Service Custom oligo DNA synthesis supporting normal, modified, and special oligos with per-base pricing from ¥50/bp (0.03µmol desalinated) to ¥400/bp (1.0µmol HPLC), with cartridge or HPLC purification add-ons and volume discounts; includes 96-well format and Cy3/Cy5 modifications under GE Healthcare license.
• Custom RNA Synthesis Service Custom RNA synthesis with RNase-free manufacturing, up to 50mer length, HPLC purification, and various modification options. For functional studies, RNAi, and RNA-based therapeutics research.
• Custom Peptide Synthesis Service Custom peptide synthesis offering 3-10+ residue peptides with various purity levels (80-95%), per-residue pricing from ¥3,000/residue, and rapid 3-day delivery; supports fluorescence labeling, phosphorylation, amidation, acetylation, conjugation, and cyclization.
• Polyclonal Antibody Production Service Polyclonal antibody production using healthy rabbits, including peptide synthesis, immunization, affinity purification, and optional Protein A purification. Pricing from ¥270,000 set.
• Monoclonal Antibody Production Service Monoclonal antibody production from mouse immunization through hybridoma establishment with QA guarantee (no charge if antibody-producing clones are not obtained). Pricing from ¥1,100,000 for up to 10 clones.
• Human Cell Line Authentication (STR Analysis) Service Human cell line authentication using STR analysis with GenePrint 10 System (10 loci) or PowerPlex 16 HS (16 loci) for cross-contamination detection; next-day express option available. Pricing ¥22,000-29,000 per sample.
• Mouse Cell Line Authentication (STR Analysis) Service Mouse cell line authentication using 20 loci STR analysis (18 mouse + 2 human loci) for mouse cell line identification and cross-contamination detection; pricing ¥32,000/sample.
• Sanger DNA Sequencing Service Sanger DNA sequencing using 4-color fluorescent dye terminator method with next-day turnaround and free re-sequencing; pricing ¥3,500/reaction including reaction and electrophoresis.
• Artificial Gene Synthesis Service Gene synthesis constructing DNA sequences of 351-3,000bp with codon optimization, bidirectional sequencing verification, and pUC57 vector insertion; pricing ¥80/bp. Free codon optimization.
• Vector Cloning and Site-Directed Mutagenesis Service Vector cloning (restriction enzyme-based subcloning, PCR-based subcloning, cDNA cloning, TA or blunt-end methods) along with site-directed mutagenesis for amino acid substitution, insertion, tag insertion, restriction site insertion, and deletion mutations.
• E. coli Protein Expression Service Full-service E. coli protein expression from expression vector construction through small-scale screening to large-scale 3L culture and affinity chromatography purification. Pricing ¥490,000 per full package.
• Mammalian / Animal Cell Protein Expression Service Mammalian cell protein expression using HEK293, COS, and CHO cells with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting verification; pricing ¥400,000 (1L + purification).
• Stable Cell Line Establishment Service Stable cell line establishment for constitutive expression of exogenous genes in CHO, COS, or HEK293 cells through drug selection and cloning; pricing ¥1,000,000.
• Straight Walk (Right Walk) Genome Walking Kit Patented ligation-mediated genome walking kit (Patent 4603798) for cloning and sequencing unknown genome regions without restriction enzymes; capable of handling organisms with genomes up to 10x larger than human (e.g., plants).
• RNA/mRNA In Vitro Transcription Synthesis Service In vitro transcription synthesis for RNA and mRNA with Cap structure, poly(A) tail, and modified nucleotides using T7 RNA polymerase; pricing starts at ¥60,000 (10µg scale).
• Microbial Identification (16S/18S/ITS Sequencing) Service Microbial identification based on Japanese Pharmacopoeia using 16S rRNA sequencing for bacteria or 18S rRNA/ITS1 for fungi with BLAST search.

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

Feature6 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GenScript: Global biotech services company offering custom oligo/peptide synthesis, gene synthesis, antibody production, and protein expression services. Directly comparable to BEX's full contract research service portfolio across multiple synthesis modalities.
• Nepa Gene: Japanese electroporation-focused life science tools company producing in vivo and in vitro electroporators (e.g., NEPA21 series). Head-to-head domestic competitor to BEX in Japanese academic and biotech electroporation accounts.
• BTX (Harvard Bioscience): Specialist manufacturer of electroporation and electrofusion instruments for in vivo, in vitro, and genome editing applications. Closest direct competitor to BEX's CUY21EDIT II and Genome Editor lines, with overlapping customer base in academic and biotech research labs.
• Eurofins Genomics: Global provider of genomic services including DNA sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, and cell line authentication. Directly comparable to BEX's Sanger sequencing, STR analysis, and custom oligo service lines.
• MaxCyte: Electroporation technology company focused on flow electroporation for cell therapy and high-efficiency transfection. Direct competitor to BEX in electroporation-based gene delivery, with growing footprint in genome editing and cell therapy applications.
• Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT, Danaher): Leading custom oligonucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis provider with global operations. Directly comparable to BEX's custom oligo DNA/RNA synthesis service business, including modified oligos and high-throughput formats.

Broad incumbents

• Lonza Bioscience: Global life sciences and CDMO company with nucleofection-based electroporation technology and broad nucleic acid and protein production services. Overlaps with BEX in electroporation instruments and in RNA/protein contract services.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global life sciences tools giant offering the Neon transfection system and a full portfolio of nucleic acid synthesis, Sanger sequencing, and protein expression services that overlap with BEX's contract research offerings.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Global life science research and clinical diagnostics company whose Gene Pulser line is the dominant benchmark in electroporation. Competes broadly with BEX across electroporation instruments and adjacent molecular biology workflows.
• Eppendorf: Global manufacturer of premium laboratory instruments including electroporation systems and micromanipulators. Overlaps with BEX's instrument portfolio across multiple life science research categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bex_cuy21
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaAfsIcB3E8XcANa9Jb1rtQ

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 Bex Co.