Metabiologics

What Metabiologics does

Metabiologics is a Madison, Wisconsin-based specialty biotechnology company founded in 1999 that manufactures and distributes research-grade reagents derived from Clostridium botulinum. The company produces and sells all seven known botulinum neurotoxin serotypes (A through G) along with related reagents including toxoids, ELISA standards, and polyclonal antibodies, exclusively for research use by accredited institutions. With a headcount of 11-50 employees, Metabiologics operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Object Pharma, occupying a tightly specialized niche in the global botulinum research reagent supply chain.

The company's product catalog spans highly purified native toxins, inactivated toxoid formulations, quantitative ELISA standards, and detection antibodies, with list prices ranging from approximately $235 for individual ELISA standards to over $47,000 for the highest-value toxoid preparation (Toxoid F). Distribution is conducted on a direct B2B basis through the company's website to academic, government, and industrial research customers worldwide, with shipments subject to Australia Group export controls governing transfers of biological agents.

Metabiologics generates revenue through transactional catalog sales with no disclosed subscription, milestone, or contracted supply agreements in evidence. The business model is structurally niche: the customer base is restricted to credentialed laboratories, the SKU set is technically narrow but deep within serotype coverage, and entry into the supply market is gated by regulatory licensing, biosafety infrastructure, and decades of fermentation and purification know-how. Marketing footprint is minimal — no social media presence, no active blog, and no press releases surfaced — consistent with a quiet, demand-pull sales posture rather than a push-driven growth strategy.

Name

Metabiologics

Legal name

Metabiologics, Inc.

Website

https://metabiologics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metabiologics, founded in 1999 and based in Madison, Wisconsin, manufactures all seven serotypes of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin plus toxoids, ELISA standards, and polyclonal antibodies for accredited research customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research Bioreagents

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAGAIAI

Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Laboratory Equipment, Instruments & Consumables

SECONDARYHLAAAEAH

Immunoglobulins & Passive Immunization Biologics (IVIG, hyperimmune globulins, antitoxins)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Vaccines & Immunization Biologics

Keywords

• Botulinum toxin research
• Research bioreagents
• Neurotoxin manufacturing
• Polyclonal antibodies
• ELISA reference standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Botulinum Toxin Product Sales: One-time product sales of purified botulinum toxins (holotoxins and toxin complexes) across serotypes A-G. Products sold in various unit sizes (100 µg, 1 mg) with pricing varying by serotype.
2. Toxoid Product Sales: Sales of chemically inactivated toxins (toxoids) derived from purified C. botulinum holotoxins or complexes. Higher price points than native toxins due to processing.
3. ELISA Standards Sales: Sale of isolated toxin or toxin complex prepared as 1 µg/ml, 0.5 ml format for use as ELISA reference standards.
4. Antibody Product Sales: Sales of polyclonal IgG antibodies specific to C. botulinum neurotoxin serotypes for immunodetection, capture, and biologic neutralization applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Metabiologics manufactures and sells all seven serotypes (A through G) of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin research products for use by accredited researchers worldwide. Its product portfolio spans four lines — purified toxins (150kD holotoxins and toxin complexes), chemically inactivated toxoids, ELISA reference standards, and serotype-specific polyclonal IgG antibodies — with customized specifications and order quantities available on request.

Product overview

Metabiologics is a biotech company manufacturing and selling all seven serotypes (A through G) of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin products for use by accredited researchers worldwide. The company operates as a single-product-portfolio business with four product lines: (1) Toxins — isolated holotoxins (150kD) or toxin complexes purified from C. botulinum; (2) Toxoids — chemically inactivated versions of the toxins; (3) ELISA Standards — isolated toxin or toxin complex prepared as 1 μg/ml, 0.5 ml for immunoassay reference; and (4) Antibodies — polyclonal IgG antibodies targeting C. botulinum serotypes A–G with high specificity and low cross-reactivity. Each serotype is available in both complex and isolated forms, with antibodies additionally available from multiple animal species (rabbit, goat, horse). Located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, Metabiologics is a subsidiary of Object Pharma.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Botulinum Toxins (Serotypes A-G) Isolated, holotoxin (150kD) or toxin complex purified from Clostridium botulinum, offered across all seven serotypes (A-G). Each serotype is sold as a Botulinum Toxin Complex or Isolated Botulinum Toxin. For research use only by accredited researchers worldwide.
• Botulinum Toxoids (Serotypes A-G) Chemically inactivated toxins derived from purified C. botulinum holotoxins or complexes, available across all seven serotypes (A-G). Each serotype is sold as Toxoid of Botulinum Toxin Complex or Toxoid of Isolated Botulinum Toxin. Used for vaccine research and safer handling applications. For research use only.
• ELISA Standards for Botulinum Toxin (Serotypes A-G) Isolated toxin or toxin complex of any serotype prepared at 1 µg/ml in 0.5 ml format, intended as ELISA reference standards for immunoassay calibration. Available across all seven serotypes (A-G). For research use only.
• Polyclonal IgG Antibodies for Botulinum Toxin (Serotypes A-G) Polyclonal IgG antibodies specific to C. botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A-G, produced in rabbit, goat, and horse species. Available as biotinylated and digoxigenin-labeled conjugates. Designed for immunodetection, capture, and biologic neutralization applications with high specificity and low cross-reactivity. For research use only.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Object PharmacoreOthersMetabiologics is a subsidiary of Object Pharma. The parent company provides corporate structure and likely strategic direction. Terms and Conditions of Sale are issued by Object Pharma, Inc. and/or its affiliates as the Seller. Warranty claims are directed to Metabiologics care of Object Pharma personnel.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Abcam: Global research antibody supplier with an extensive catalog and a strong e-commerce experience. Competes with Metabiologics' polyclonal IgG antibody offering and is often preferred by researchers seeking one-click ordering and abundant validation data.
• Santa Cruz Biotechnology: Long-established supplier of research antibodies, ELISA kits, and biochemicals. Overlaps with Metabiologics' antibody and ELISA standards lines and competes for the same academic and government research budget.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Life Technologies): Major life-science tools and reagents conglomerate whose catalog includes antibodies, ELISA kits, and recombinant toxin alternatives relevant to botulinum research. Competes for procurement budget at the institutional level and offers integrated ordering through PunchOut/e-procurement channels.
• Bio-Techne (R&D Systems / Tocris): Broad life-science reagents and antibodies platform serving academic and biopharma researchers. Competes with Metabiologics' polyclonal antibody and ELISA product lines and benefits from a larger digital-commerce infrastructure.
• Sigma-Aldrich (MilliporeSigma / Merck KGaA): The largest life-science reagents distributor, offering an extensive catalog of toxins, antibodies, ELISA kits, and standards. While not a specialist in C. botulinum, it competes for the same procurement budget and is often the default supplier for routine serotypes (A, B) where buyers prioritize convenience.

Direct peers

• List Biological Laboratories: Direct competitor in the manufacture and sale of botulinum toxin products for research. List Labs also produces toxin complexes, toxoids, and select reagent formats used by academic and government researchers, making it the closest functional competitor to Metabiologics.
• Toxin Technology, Inc. Specializes in producing bacterial toxins (including Clostridium-derived products), antitoxins, and toxoids for research and diagnostic use. Overlaps directly with Metabiologics' toxin and toxoid catalog and serves a similar accredited-researcher customer base.
• Cayman Chemical: Major supplier of research biochemicals, toxins, antibodies, and ELISA standards to academic and pharmaceutical researchers. Comparable in product mix (toxins + antibodies + assay reagents) and B2B research-customer GTM, though broader in scope across many target classes.

Emerging players

• Matreya LLC: Niche supplier of lipid, carbohydrate, and biochemical research reagents, including select toxin-related standards. Comparable in being a smaller, specialized research-reagent manufacturer serving academic labs, though narrower in scope than Metabiologics.

Others

• BEI Resources (ATCC): NIAID-supported repository distributing microbial reagents, including select-agent materials and toxins, to registered researchers. Functions partly as a competitor and partly as an alternative source of reference materials, particularly for government-funded research programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wisconsin-investment-partners

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 Metabiologics