4BioCell

What 4BioCell does

4BioCell GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German specialty instrumentation company headquartered in Bielefeld that develops and sells monitoring systems for upstream bioprocesses to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Founded in 1999 and operating with a small specialized team, the company serves R&D laboratories, process development groups, and production stages of bioprocess workflows across 16 countries via a network of ten regional distribution partners covering DACH, East Asia, the Middle East, Western and Northern Europe, and North America.

The company's product portfolio centers on two technology platforms: the 4Bio Analyser family (4BioCore, 4BioCompact, 4BioCombine, and 4BioComplex) for photometric determination of substrates, metabolites, and products in cell culture and fermentation samples at throughputs ranging from 150 to 1,200 tests per hour, and the 4Bio CellCount Pro, which is described as the first fully automated cell counter based on AI-image recognition combining trypan blue dye exclusion with computer vision-based analysis. These hardware platforms are complemented by a consumables ecosystem including 4Bio Reagents (assays for 20+ parameters with 30+ days on-board stability), 4Bio Beads (GMP-compliant certified particle solutions for system suitability testing), and 4Bio Trays (RFID-tracked all-in-one consumables). All devices are 21 CFR Part 11 compliant and validatable for GMP environments.

4BioCell generates revenue through a mix of one-time hardware sales, recurring consumables and maintenance contracts, refurbished equipment sales through a dedicated marketplace, and short-term rental services for project-based work. The go-to-market combines product-led demos and trial periods with regional distributors and selective event-driven engagement at industry trade shows such as MEDICA. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company has no disclosed external funding, operates without a parent company, and is led by General Manager Stefan Pollesche. A recent BSFZ Seal award in October 2024 recognized R&D investment in the CellCount Pro platform.

Name

4BioCell

Legal name

4BioCell GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://4biocell.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

4BioCell GmbH & Co. KG is a German specialty instrumentation company that develops photometric bioprocess analysers, AI-image-recognition cell counters, and GMP-compliant consumables for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, distributing through ten regional partners across 16 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioprocess Monitoring Equipment

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Cell Culture & Bioprocess Lab Equipment (Bioreactors, Single-Use Systems, Controllers) (HLAGAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bioprocess Safety, Biosafety & Contamination Control Solutions (single-use integrity, environmental monitoring) (HLAAAJAO)

Keywords

• Bioprocess monitoring systems
• Cell counting instruments
• Metabolite analysis equipment
• Phot biochemical analyzers
• Upstream bioprocess analytics

Headquarters

HQ city

Bielefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Analysers: Sale of proprietary biochemistry analysers including 4BioCore, 4BioCompact, 4BioCombine, and 4BioComplex models for metabolite analysis
2. Hardware Sales - Cell Counters: Sale of 4Bio CellCount Pro, the first fully automated cell counter based on image recognition
3. Consumables - Beads: Sale of certified particle solutions including ConSta, LinSta, FocSta, and ViaSta for cell counting system verification
4. Consumables - Reagents: Sale of ready-to-use liquid-stable reagents for metabolite detection with lot traceability
5. Refurbished Equipment: Sale of refurbished systems including CuBiAn XC, CuBiAn HT270, Cedex, and CASY after full reconditioning and upgrade
6. Maintenance and Support Services: Annual preventive maintenance, spare parts delivery, on-site support, and remote connection support for various device models
7. Rental Services: Short-term rental of 4BioCore, 4Bio Compact, and CuBiAn XC analysers for project work

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

4BioCell designs, manufactures and sells its own product lines of bioprocess monitoring systems for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology market, including a family of photometric biochemistry analyzers (4BioCore, 4BioCompact, 4BioCombine, 4BioComplex) and a fully automated cell counter (4Bio CellCount Pro) based on AI-image recognition. The offering is rounded out by GMP-compliant ready-to-use reagents, certified particle solutions (4Bio Beads), RFID-tracked consumable trays, a refurbished equipment marketplace, and supporting services covering demos, training, maintenance and short-term equipment rental.

Product overview

4BioCell offers a portfolio of monitoring systems for upstream bioprocesses to the pharma and biotech market. The product line consists of 4Bio Analyser (with four models: 4BioCore, 4BioCompact, 4BioCombine, and 4BioComplex) for biochemical analysis of substrates, metabolites and products in cell culture and fermentation samples, and 4Bio CellCount Pro as the first fully automated cell counter based on AI-image recognition. These core products are complemented by 4Bio Reagents (assays for 20+ parameters), 4Bio Beads (ConSta, LinSta, FocSta, ViaSta for system suitability testing), and 4Bio Trays (consumables with RFID tracking). The company also offers a Refurbished Marketplace for cost-conscious buyers, along with supporting services including Demo, Training, Support, and Projects (equipment rental). All devices comply with 21 CFR Part 11 and can be validated for GMP environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 4Bio Analyser: Biochemistry analyzers for determination of substrates, metabolites and products in cell culture and fermentation samples. Portfolio includes 4BioCore, 4BioCompact, 4BioCombine, and 4BioComplex models.
• 4Bio CellCounter
• 4Bio Beads
• 4Bio Reagents
• 4Bio Refurbished
• 4Bio Trays

Products and services

• 4BioCore Analyser Entry-level biochemistry analyzer for fast determination of substrates, metabolites and products in cell culture and fermentation samples, with up to 150 tests per hour and a refrigerated samples and reagents carousel. Designed for small and medium bioprocess laboratories in the pharma and biotech market.
• 4BioCompact Analyser Medium-throughput biochemistry analyzer suited for small and medium-sized laboratories, with up to 200 tests per hour, a refrigerated reagent carousel and reusable BIONEX cuvettes. Built for routine metabolite and substrate analysis in cell culture and fermentation.
• 4BioCombine Analyser High-throughput biochemistry analyzer combining high-throughput application with a small footprint, delivering up to 300 tests per hour with two refrigerated reagent carousels. Designed for mid-volume pharma and biotech bioprocess monitoring.
• 4BioComplex Analyser Floor-stand biochemistry analyzer designed for major laboratories with high-throughput applications, with up to 1,200 tests per hour and automatic dilution up to 1:300. Targeted at large-scale pharma and biotech production environments.
• 4Bio CellCount Pro First fully automated cell counter based on image recognition, combining the trypan blue dye exclusion method with AI-driven image analysis to deliver precise cell concentration and viability. Features on-board dilution up to 1:5, a low sample volume of 100 L, full measurement including automated sample preparation in less than 2 minutes, and a vibration/shock resistant design. GMP compliant and targeted at pharma, biotech and research laboratories.
• 4Bio Beads (ConSta, LinSta, FocSta, ViaSta) Family of certified particle solutions for system suitability tests of cell counting systems based on image recognition. Includes ConSta (concentration standard), LinSta (linearity standards), FocSta (focus/calibration beads) and ViaSta (viability standards). Designed and produced under GMP and compliant with international QA regulations; 2-year stability. Used with cell counters including the 4Bio CellCount Pro, Cedex and ViCell.
• 4Bio Reagents Ready-to-use liquid-stable reagent assays for monitoring upstream bioprocesses, including assays for Acetic Acid, Ammonia, Glucose, Glutamine, Lactate, IgG and 20+ other parameters. Provides lot traceability, long on-board stability of at least 30 days, and supports the open channel assay capability of 4Bio systems. For use on 4Bio Analyser family devices.
• 4Bio Trays All-in-one consumable solution for the 4Bio CellCount Pro, in which all necessary liquids and pipette tips are pre-loaded and sealed, with RFID code tracking for high traceability. Designed to support GMP-compliant workflows.
• 4Bio Refurbished Marketplace Refurbished equipment marketplace in which used analysers and cell counters (including CuBiAn XC, CuBiAn HT270, Cedex and CASY) are fully reconditioned and upgraded to the latest hardware and software revisions, offering a cost-conscious entry into 4BioCell's installed base.
• 4Bio Demo Service One-day demo and trial period service during which prospective customers can test 4BioCell products at their own site with their own samples, free of charge and non-binding, to evaluate fit with their daily lab work. Delivered by 4BioCell or its local distributor.
• 4Bio Training Training services covering the 4Bio Analyser and 4Bio Cellcounter product lines, delivered via in-house, in-lab, seminar or webinar formats to refresh or deepen customer knowledge.
• 4Bio Support and Maintenance Technical and application support, preventive maintenance, spare parts delivery, collection for repair, on-site support and remote connection assistance for the 4BioCore, 4BioCompact, 4BioCombine, CellCount Pro, CuBiAn, Cedex and CASY devices. Sold as annual maintenance contracts and ad-hoc support.
• 4Bio Projects (Equipment Rental) Short-term rental service for 4BioCore, 4Bio Compact and CuBiAn XC analysers, enabling customers to evaluate product performance and collect project results without a capital purchase commitment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full measurement including automated sample preparation completes in less than 2 minutes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KREIENBAUM NeosciencecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distribution partner for DACH region (Germany) located in Langenfeld, Germany. Provides local sales and support for 4BioCell products.
• Scrum Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Japan located in Tokyo. Handles sales and distribution of 4BioCell products in the Japanese market.
• Cold Spring Biotech CorpcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Taiwan located in New Taipei City. Manages sales and support for 4BioCell products in Taiwan.
• Lumitron Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Israel located in Petah Tikva. Provides sales and distribution services for 4BioCell products in Israel.
• Bilim Laboratuar Cihazları San.Ltd. Şti.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Turkey located in Istanbul. Handles sales and distribution of 4BioCell products in Turkey.
• BPES BioProcess Engineering Services Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for United Kingdom located in Sittingbourne, Kent. Provides sales and support for 4BioCell products in the UK market.
• Innovative BiotechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for United States and Canada located in Worcester, MA. Manages sales and distribution of 4BioCell products in North America.
• CultiXcell A/ScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland located in Vordingborg, Denmark. Handles sales across Scandinavian markets.
• Bio-Reach Co. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for China located in Beijing. Manages sales and distribution of 4BioCell products in China.
• GM Biomedical & Science Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Korea located in Seoul. Handles sales and distribution of 4BioCell products in the Korean market.
• Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner with scientific collaboration relationship. Represents cooperation with major pharmaceutical company.
• RWTH Aachen UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific collaboration through iAMB Institute of Applied Microbiology for transferring latest research findings into practice.
• Universität BielefeldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for scientific collaboration and knowledge transfer.
• Hochschule Esslingen - University of Applied SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for applied research collaboration in bioprocess technology.
• ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte WissenschaftenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss university partnership for applied sciences research collaboration.
• Xell AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in the biotech industry for potential product and service collaboration.
• PlasmidFactory GmbH & Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiotech partner company for potential collaboration in plasmid and bioprocess solutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YSI (Xylem): YSI 2900/2950 biochemistry analyzers provide glucose, lactate, and other metabolite analysis for bioprocess monitoring. Closely comparable to 4Bio Analyser applications in upstream cell culture monitoring.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Sells the TC20 automated cell counter and a broader life science research portfolio. Competes with 4BioCell in routine and process cell counting in pharma QC and academic research labs.
• Nova Biomedical: Manufactures the BioProfile chemistry analyzers (e.g., BioProfile FLEX2) for rapid glucose, lactate, glutamine, and other metabolite measurement in cell culture and fermentation. Direct overlap with 4Bio Analyser product family.
• ChemoMetec: Develops the NucleoCounter NC-200, NC-202, and NC-3000 fluorescence-based automated cell counters used in cell therapy and bioprocess monitoring. Direct competitor in the automated cell counting segment for pharma/biotech.
• Beckman Coulter Life Sciences: Manufactures the Vi-Cell family of automated cell counters (including Vi-Cell XR) and CASY counters, the legacy instruments that 4BioCell explicitly positions CellCount Pro to replace. Direct overlap in cell counting for pharma and biotech QC and process development.
• Roche CustomBiotech: Producer of the Cedex Bio and Cedex HiRes systems for cell counting and metabolite analysis. Roche is one of the two primary incumbents 4BioCell targets with its analyser and cell counter product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global life sciences tools leader with cell counting (Countess), metabolite analysis, and bioprocess PAT offerings. Competes broadly with 4BioCell across multiple product categories but is not specialized in the niche photometric bioprocess analyzer space.
• Sysmex: Provides automated hematology and cell analysis platforms used in clinical and bioprocess settings. Competes in the broader automated cell counting and analysis category that 4BioCell targets.
• Sartorius: Large bioprocess equipment and consumables supplier with ambr bioreactors, PAT tools, and cell analysis solutions that overlap with 4BioCell's upstream monitoring niche, but within a much broader bioprocess platform offering.

Others

• Hamilton Company: Supplies laboratory automation, sensors, and analytical instrumentation (including process analytics) used in bioprocess and pharma QC. Operates as an adjacent/ecosystem participant to 4BioCell's bioprocess monitoring instruments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/4BioCell_GmbH
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/4biocell

Compliance5 records

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 4BioCell