ABF GmbH

What ABF GmbH does

ABF GmbH (legal name: ABF Analytisch-Biologisches Forschungslabor GmbH) is a privately held bioanalytical contract research laboratory headquartered in Planegg, Germany (near Munich), operating from a 1,200 m² ISO 17025-accredited facility. Founded in 1980 as an academic research laboratory focused on smoking-related biomarkers under Prof. Helmut Schievelbein, the company transitioned in 2002 into an independent contract research organization serving pharmaceutical companies, tobacco and nicotine product manufacturers, governmental agencies, and academic institutions globally. The firm is currently managed by Prof. Dr. Gerhard Scherer (Director), Dr. Max Scherer (General Manager), and Dr. Nikola Pluym (Technical Director), supported by a staff of 11–50 specialized analytical chemists, medicinal chemists, food chemists, biochemists, and chemical engineers.

ABF's service portfolio is organized around four core lines: Biomonitoring (human biomonitoring campaigns for environmental chemicals such as VOCs, PAHs, phthalates, pesticides, and fragrances using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS), Tobacco Harm Reduction (bioanalysis supporting FDA Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA) and Modified Risk Tobacco Product Application (MRTPA) regulatory submissions), Bioanalysis of Cannabinoids (PK/TK analysis of THC, CBD, CBG, THCV and metabolites), and Bioanalytical Solutions for Pharma (drug development support including PK/TK/PD studies, metabolite profiling, non-targeted screening, biomarker analysis, and impurity identification). The company operates 70+ validated analytical methods covering 100+ biomarkers with annual throughput exceeding 100,000 samples. Its instrument pool includes Sciex QTrap 6500+, Waters Xevo TQS, Sciex API 5000/4000 systems, a Thermo QExactive HF-X Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometer for untargeted exposomics analysis, Shimadzu TQ8050 GC-MS/MS, Thermo ISQ and Agilent 5975XL GC-MS, and a Markes GC-TOF-MS with thermodesorption for exhaled breath analysis. Quality credentials include ISO 17025:2018 accreditation (held since 2004), GLP certification, GCP compliance per the EMA Reflection Paper, and GEQUAS reference laboratory status.

The business model is B2B professional services revenue generated on a project-based, quote-driven pricing model with multi-year contracts. Marketing is anchored in scientific credibility: peer-reviewed publications (40+ articles over the last 20 years), active conference participation (CORESTA, ISES, SRNT, ISBM), a biomarker database on the company website, LinkedIn presence, and direct enterprise sales via service-specific request forms. Strategic collaborations include the PARC EU laboratory network for chemical risk assessment (joined 2025), the THRUST tobacco harm reduction research consortium (2024), the German Environmental Specimen Bank, and the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA). Revenue is not publicly disclosed, the company has no external investors, no parent entity, and no M&A history.

Name

ABF GmbH

Legal name

ABF Analytisch-Biologisches Forschungslabor GmbH

Website

https://abf-lab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ABF GmbH is an ISO 17025-accredited, GLP/GCP-compliant contract research laboratory in Planegg, Germany, providing bioanalytical services—including biomarker analysis, biomonitoring, and PK studies—to pharmaceutical, tobacco/nicotine, governmental, and academic clients globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Research Organization / Bioanalytical Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioanalytical & Biomarker CROs (PK/PD/Immunogenicity) (HLAGAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bioanalytical Testing (PK/ADA/NAb) (HLAGADAA), DMPK / ADME & Bioanalysis (HLAGAFAC), Specialty & Biomarker Laboratory Services (Immunoassays/Flow/Cytometry) (HLAGAEAB), Impurity / Reference Standard Synthesis & Characterization (HLAGAHAG)

Keywords

• Bioanalytical services
• Biomonitoring services
• Contract research laboratory
• Biomarker analysis
• DMPK studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Muenchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Research Services - Bioanalysis: B2B contract research laboratory providing bioanalytical services for pharmaceutical companies, tobacco/nicotine product manufacturers, and governmental agencies. Services include method development, validation, sample analysis, and regulatory support for preclinical and clinical studies.
2. Scientific Consulting: ABF published 40+ articles in peer-reviewed journals in the last 20 years. Scientific consulting services leveraging vast expertise in biomarker research and regulatory affairs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ABF GmbH is an ISO 17025 accredited and GLP/GCP compliant bioanalytical contract research laboratory that develops, validates, and runs mass spectrometry-based assays for biomarker and biomonitoring studies. The company offers four core service lines — Biomonitoring (environmental chemical exposure assessment in urine/plasma), Tobacco Harm Reduction (nicotine/tobacco biomarker analysis supporting FDA PMTA and MRTPA submissions), Bioanalysis of Cannabinoids (THC/CBD/CBG/THCV quantification in plasma), and Bioanalytical Solutions for Pharma (PK/TK/PD studies, metabolite profiling, non-targeted screening, impurity identification). All services are delivered from a 1,200 m² laboratory facility in Planegg, Germany, with capacity for 100,000+ samples per year using 70+ validated methods covering 100+ biomarkers.

Product overview

ABF GmbH is an ISO 17025 accredited and GLP-certified bioanalytical contract research laboratory offering a comprehensive portfolio of biomarker analysis and bioanalytical services. The company's offering comprises four core service lines: Biomonitoring (for environmental chemical exposure assessment), Tobacco Harm Reduction (for nicotine/tobacco product biomarker analysis supporting regulatory submissions), Bioanalysis of Cannabinoids (for cannabis compound quantification in pharmacokinetic studies), and Bioanalytical Solutions for Pharma (covering the full spectrum of drug development support from PK/TK/PD studies to metabolite profiling). The company operates over 70 validated analytical methods analyzing more than 100 biomarkers, utilizing state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS equipment with annual capacity exceeding 100,000 samples across 1,200 m2 of laboratory space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biomonitoring ISO 17025 accredited human biomonitoring service providing accurate determination of environmental chemicals in biological samples such as urine and plasma, using validated LC-MS and GC-MS methods for exposure assessment of VOCs, PAHs, phthalates, pesticides, fragrances and nicotine, with a non-targeted high-resolution MS platform used for exposomics — the comprehensive exploration of exposures, their sources and health implications. The service supports human biomonitoring campaigns and environmental exposure assessment for governmental agencies and research clients.
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Bioanalysis service for exposure biomarkers related to tobacco and new nicotine products, using ISO 17025-accredited and GCP/GLP-compliant procedures for biomarker and nicotine PK analysis. The service supports regulatory submissions to FDA for Premarket Tobacco Applications (PMTA) and Modified Risk Tobacco Product Applications (MRTPA), and applies non-targeted high-resolution MS methods to identify product-use-specific exposure for tobacco harm reduction product assessment.
• Bioanalysis of Cannabinoids GLP and GCP compliant bioanalytical service providing precise analysis of cannabis and cannabinoids, including THC, CBD, CBG and THCV as well as their metabolites in plasma, for pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies, exposure assessment, and risk evaluation. The service supports responsible introduction and regulatory characterization of new cannabinoid-containing products.
• Bioanalytical Solutions for Pharma Comprehensive bioanalytical service for the pharmaceutical industry spanning PK/TK/PD studies, metabolite profiling, non-targeted screening, biomarker analysis, and impurity identification using advanced LC-MS technologies. Delivered under ISO 17025 accreditation and GLP/GCP compliance, with automated data processes supporting quality, accuracy and rapid project turnaround across all stages of drug development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70+ validated bioanalytical methods for biomarker analysis
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PARC (Partnership for Assessment of Risk from Chemicals)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ABF is part of the PARC laboratory network, a major EU partnership focused on assessment of risk from chemicals. This partnership involves collaborative research in human biomonitoring and exposure assessment.
• THRUST Project (Tobacco Harm Reduction: Understanding the Science)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ABF participates in the THRUST project, a multi-center research initiative focused on tobacco harm reduction science. The project involves collaboration with international research partners including the University of Catania.
• German Environmental Specimen BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with the German Environmental Specimen Bank for human biomonitoring research, analyzing urine samples from the Environmental Specimen Bank spanning from 2000 to 2021 for various environmental chemicals.
• German Federal Environment Agency (UBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on human biomonitoring campaigns for exposure assessment of environmental chemicals in Germany, contributing to public health research initiatives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Celerion: Lincoln, NE-based clinical bioanalytical CRO specializing in early-phase clinical pharmacology, ADME, and bioanalysis. Direct peer to ABF in pharmaceutical PK/TK/PD and biomarker bioanalysis services.
• Altasciences: Mid-sized CRO providing bioanalytical services, clinical pharmacology, and preclinical research. Direct peer in regulated bioanalysis supporting pharmaceutical and consumer health product development.
• Frontage Laboratories: Contract research organization with a bioanalytical services division providing small- and large-molecule PK, immunogenicity, and biomarker analysis under GLP/GCP. Comparable to ABF in CRO bioanalysis services for pharma.
• Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. (BASi): U.S. bioanalytical CRO offering LC-MS/MS method development, validation, and sample analysis for preclinical and clinical studies. Closely comparable to ABF in bioanalytical testing, DMPK, and regulatory-grade method validation.

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins Scientific: Global leader in bioanalytical, environmental, and consumer product testing. Overlapping capability with ABF in environmental biomonitoring (e.g., phthalates, PAHs) and pharma bioanalysis, but operates across many other verticals at much larger scale.
• Pharmaron: Integrated CRO/CDMO providing drug discovery, DMPK, bioanalytical, and CMC services. Comparable to ABF in bioanalytical/DMPK services for pharmaceutical drug development, but operates at significantly larger scale globally.
• SGS Société Générale de Surveillance: Global testing, inspection, and certification company with life-sciences and environmental testing capabilities. Comparable to ABF's biomonitoring services for environmental chemicals and consumer products, though much broader in scope.
• Intertek: Global quality assurance and testing services provider with life sciences, environmental, and pharmaceutical testing offerings. Comparable to ABF in regulated analytical testing, though Intertek serves many other industries at much greater scale.
• Charles River Laboratories: Large diversified CRO offering bioanalytical, DMPK, and safety assessment services to pharma and biotech. Comparable to ABF in regulated bioanalysis and biomarker work, but with significantly broader portfolio and global footprint.

Regional players

• ABF predecessor / Verum Group: Other mid-sized European bioanalytical labs and contract research organizations operating in DACH (Germany/Austria/Switzerland) regions with comparable GLP/ISO 17025 accredited bioanalysis and biomonitoring offerings. Less identifiable but conceptually comparable regional competitors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

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 ABF GmbH