Montreal Biotech

What Montreal Biotech does

Montreal Biotech Inc. is a privately held Canadian laboratory equipment and supplies distributor headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at montreal-biotech.com, offering more than 100 equipment categories and 380+ consumable SKUs sourced from third-party manufacturers including Adam Equipment, SciLogex, IKA, SensoQuest, Biometra, Sigma Centrifuges, Jeio Tech, and Kruess. The catalog spans precision balances, centrifuges, PCR thermocyclers, cell counters, microscopes, incubators, freezers, liquid handling robots, fermentation systems, and adjacent categories such as COVID-19 diagnostic solutions and lithium battery storage cabinets, along with plasticware and reagents.

The business model is asset-light distribution with no proprietary technology, patents, or in-house manufacturing. Revenue is generated through transactional hardware and consumable sales, with a hybrid go-to-market: self-serve Add to Cart purchasing for entry-level items ($475 Vortex Genie 2 through mid-range $3,000-$6,000 microplate readers) and quote-based procurement for advanced equipment typically priced above $5,000 (semi-micro balances up to $9,200, automated cell counters at $13,800). Promotional pricing is used as a recurring conversion lever, with monthly campaigns offering discounts up to 35%.

The company serves research laboratories, clinical diagnostics facilities, and biotechnology companies across Canada, with English/French bilingual storefront support. No disclosed revenue, headcount, funding history, management team, or formal enterprise customer logos are available, and the privately owned company shows no external institutional investors, parent entities, or M&A activity. The business is fundamentally a multi-brand lab supply aggregator rather than a technology company.

Name

Montreal Biotech

Legal name

Montreal Biotech Inc.

Website

https://montreal-biotech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Montreal Biotech Inc. is a privately held Canadian e-commerce distributor of laboratory equipment, reagents, and consumables, reselling multi-brand scientific instruments and supplies to research, clinical, and biotech laboratory customers across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423450)

SIC

Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047)

akta.pro primary industry

General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens) (HLAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Laboratory Consumables & Plasticware (Tips, Tubes, Plates, Filters) (HLAGAIAH), Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes) (HLAGAIAI), Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Laboratory equipment distribution
• Lab supplies e-commerce
• Scientific instruments
• Lab consumables
• Molecular biology equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Dorval

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Revenue generated from selling laboratory equipment including balances, centrifuges, thermocyclers, spectrophotometers, cell counters, microscopes, and other analytical instruments. Products range from entry-level items like the Vortex Genie 2 ($475) to advanced systems like semi-micro balances ($9,000+).
2. Plasticware and Consumables: Sale of laboratory plasticware including cell culture dishes, flasks, plates, centrifuge tubes, PCR plates, tips, and other single-use laboratory consumables. The catalog shows 380+ consumable products across multiple categories.
3. Reagents and Biological Supplies: Sale of reagents including cell culture media, bioluminescence/chemiluminescence products, DNA/protein ladders, nucleic acid extraction kits, qPCR reagents, FISH probe kits, and tissue dissociation reagents for molecular biology and clinical applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Montreal Biotech distributes laboratory equipment, plasticware, and reagents sourced from multiple third-party manufacturers (Adam Equipment, SciLogex, IKA, SensoQuest, Biometra, Sigma, Kruess, Jeio Tech) through a Canadian e-commerce platform. The catalog spans 100+ equipment categories including balances, centrifuges, PCR systems, microscopes, incubators, and liquid handling robots, alongside 380+ plasticware and reagent items for molecular biology, cell biology, and clinical diagnostics applications.

Product overview

Montreal Biotech is a laboratory equipment and supplies distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of scientific equipment and consumables. The offering is organized as a multi-category distribution platform featuring over 100 equipment product categories and extensive consumable lines. Core equipment offerings include precision balances, cell counting and imaging systems, centrifuges, PCR/thermocyclers, spectrophotometers, microscopes, incubators, freezers, and liquid handling robots. The company also provides complete Covid-19 solution packages, plasticware consumables (cell culture products, PCR supplies, pipette tips), and laboratory reagents (extraction kits, qPCR reagents, FISH probes). Notable product brands include ADAM cell counters, Sigma centrifuges, SensoQuest/Biometra PCR systems, Luna/Solis/Equinox balance lines, and MBI-branded instruments. The company serves research, pharmaceutical, and clinical laboratory markets with equipment ranging from basic lab apparatus to advanced automated systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Balances Precision weighing equipment including analytical balances, precision balances, compact balances, portable balances, and moisture analyzers, ranging from 0-200g to 5,000-10,000g capacity with readability from 0.01mg to 1g. Distributed for research, QC, and analytical laboratories.
• Cell Counters and Live Cell Imaging Automated cell counting and live cell imaging systems including fluorescence cell counters, brightfield cell counters, somatic cell counters, fluorescence cell analyzers, hematocytometers, and live cell imaging microscopes for cell biology and clinical labs.
• Centrifuges Laboratory centrifuges including table-top centrifuges (ultrasmall, refrigerated, microcentrifuges, 4x120mL, 4x400mL, 4x650mL, 4x800mL), floor centrifuges, and high-speed centrifuges for sample preparation across molecular biology and clinical workflows.
• Circulators (Heating/Cooling) Temperature control equipment including heat circulators (advanced digital, standard digital, programmable, Jeio Tech) and cooling/heating circulators (refrigerated, programmable) for laboratory heating and cooling applications.
• COVID-19 Solutions Complete COVID-19 testing solutions including disposable samplers (nasopharyngeal swabs, oropharyngeal swabs, VTM, ITM, AMIES medium, normal saline, saliva collection kits), RNA extraction kits, qPCR systems, and ultra-low temperature freezers for sample storage. Bundled offering for clinical diagnostics labs.
• Fermentation Systems Laboratory fermentation equipment including parallel fermentation systems (FS-05 Series), single fermentation systems (FS-06 Series), and Evo Fermentation Systems (FS-07 Series) for biotech R&D and bioprocessing applications.
• Freeze Dryers / Lyophilizers Freeze drying equipment including industrial freeze dryers, pilot freeze dryers, laboratory freeze dryers, and rotational vacuum concentrators for sample preservation and pharmaceutical applications.
• Gel Documentation Systems Gel imaging and documentation systems for chemiluminescence, fluorescence, and general gel documentation used in molecular biology and genomics workflows.
• Incubators Laboratory incubators including CO2 incubators (air jacketed, water jacketed, high heat decontamination), shaking incubators, regular incubators, and low temperature incubators for cell culture and microbiological applications.
• Laminar Flow Hoods Clean benches and ductless fume hoods for laboratory sterile work areas and contamination-controlled environments.
• Liquid Nitrogen Storage Cryogenic storage solutions including cryogenic refrigerators for vial storage, portable aluminum cryogenic vessels, and high-capacity cryostorage freezers for biological sample preservation.
• Microplate Readers Multi-mode microplate readers supporting absorbance, luminescence, and fluorescence detection for various biochemical assays used in research and diagnostic laboratories.
• Microscopes Laboratory microscopes including live cell imaging microscopes, stereo and zoom microscopes, fluorescent microscopes, confocal microscopes, and light sheet microscopes for research and clinical microscopy applications.
• PCR Machines / Thermocyclers Polymerase chain reaction equipment including thermal cyclers, PCR robots, real-time PCR systems, and isothermal fluorescence PCR systems used in molecular biology and genomics research.
• Robots / Liquid Handling Automated liquid handling systems used for ELISA automation, PCR setup, DNA/RNA extractions, NGS library preparation, and DNA cleanup in high-throughput laboratory workflows.
• Spectrophotometers Optical measurement instruments including standard spectrophotometers, micro-volume spectrophotometers, and handheld Photopette spectrophotometers for nucleic acid and protein quantification.
• Freezers and Refrigerators Laboratory cold storage including ultra-low temperature freezers (-86°C), biomedical freezers (-30°C), laboratory refrigerators, and chromatography refrigerators for sample and reagent preservation.
• Shakers, Hot Plates, and Stirrers Mixing and agitation equipment including orbital shakers, rocking shakers, nutating shakers, vortexers, thermo-shakers, magnetic stirrers, hotplate stirrers, and overhead stirrers for sample preparation and mixing.
• Water Purification Systems Laboratory water purification systems including Arioso water purification systems for producing purified and ultra-pure water for laboratory applications.
• Plasticware Laboratory plastic consumables including cell culture dishes, flasks, plates, centrifuge tubes, PCR plates, pipette tips, serological pipettes, cryogenic vials, and disposable samplers used in routine laboratory work.
• Reagents Laboratory reagents including bioluminescence/chemiluminescence reagents, cell culture media, DNA/protein ladders, nucleic acid extraction kits, qPCR reagents, transfection reagents, and FISH probe kits for molecular biology and diagnostic applications.
• Lithium Battery Storage Cabinets Fire-resistant storage cabinets with integrated ventilation systems designed for high-capacity lithium battery cell storage in laboratory environments.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Adam EquipmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdam Equipment is a manufacturer of precision weighing equipment. Montreal Biotech distributes Adam Equipment products including analytical balances, precision balances, and moisture analyzers through their Canadian e-commerce platform. Products include Luna, Solis, Equinox, and Nimbus balance series.
• SciLogexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSciLogex laboratory equipment distributed through Montreal Biotech including shakers, vortexers, magnetic stirrers, hotplate stirrers, and centrifuges. Products include SCI-O180 orbital shakers and SCI280 hotplate stirrers.
• SensoQuestcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSensoQuest PCR thermocyclers and PCR robots distributed by Montreal Biotech for molecular biology and genomics research applications.
• BiometracoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBiometra thermal cyclers and laboratory equipment distributed through Montreal Biotech for PCR and related molecular biology applications.
• Sigma CentrifugescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSigma brand centrifuges distributed by Montreal Biotech including tabletop centrifuges, floor-standing centrifuges, and high-speed centrifuges with various capacity configurations.
• IKAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIKA laboratory equipment distributed through Montreal Biotech including rotary evaporators and other analytical instruments for research applications.
• Jeio TechminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJeio Tech circulators and heating/cooling equipment distributed by Montreal Biotech for temperature control applications in laboratory settings.
• KruessminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKruess microscopes including stereo and zoom microscopes (MSL4000 and MSZ5000 series) distributed through Montreal Biotech for research and clinical microscopy applications.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cole-Parmer: Cole-Parmer is a direct-to-customer distributor of laboratory equipment, supplies, and specialty products with a comparable multi-brand catalog (centrifuges, balances, PCR) and online storefront model to Montreal Biotech.
• Spectrum Chemical: Spectrum Chemical distributes laboratory chemicals, reagents, consumables, and equipment through an e-commerce platform, overlapping Montreal Biotech's reagents and plasticware lines with a comparable distribution model.
• Thomas Scientific: Thomas Scientific is a US-based distributor of laboratory supplies, equipment, and consumables operating an e-commerce and quote-based sales model similar to Montreal Biotech across SKUs spanning glassware, balances, and life science consumables.
• LabSource: LabSource is a value-oriented online distributor of laboratory supplies and small equipment, competing head-on with Montreal Biotech for SMB and academic research customers seeking broad catalog depth at competitive pricing.
• Chemglass Life Sciences: Chemglass distributes laboratory glassware, equipment, and consumables to research and bioprocessing customers, sharing Montreal Biotech's mix of general lab apparatus and consumables distribution to biotech and academic buyers.

Broad incumbents

• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad sells life science research and clinical diagnostics instruments and reagents through both direct and distribution channels, making it a broad incumbent whose product portfolio partially overlaps Montreal Biotech's PCR, cell counting, and reagent lines.
• VWR (Avantor): VWR, part of Avantor, is a leading global distributor of laboratory products and services with a multi-brand catalog and e-commerce platform closely mirroring Montreal Biotech's equipment and consumable distribution offering.
• Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher Scientific): Fisher Scientific is the dominant global laboratory equipment and supplies distributor and is the broadest direct comparable to Montreal Biotech's equipment plus consumables distribution model, though it operates at much larger scale across multiple geographies.

Regional players

• Diamed (Mississauga) / Diamed Lab Supplies: Diamed is a Canadian distributor of laboratory diagnostic products, reagents, and supplies, directly comparable to Montreal Biotech in targeting Canadian biotech and clinical lab buyers through a similar equipment and consumable catalog.
• Cedarlane (Cedarlane Laboratories): Cedarlane is a Canadian life science reagents and consumables distributor serving academic and biotech researchers domestically, comparable to Montreal Biotech as a Canada-focused distributor of reagents, plasticware, and lab supplies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mbibiotech

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 Montreal Biotech