CORTEX Biophysik GmbH
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH is a privately held Leipzig-based medical device manufacturer of mobile and portable breath-by-breath spiroergometry (CPET) systems, serving hospitals, sports medicine centers, Olympic training programs, and research institutions globally through direct sales and a worldwide distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersLeipzig, Germany
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CORTEX Biophysik GmbH does
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH is a privately held German medical device manufacturer headquartered in Leipzig that develops, manufactures, and distributes mobile and portable breath-by-breath spiroergometry (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) systems. Its product portfolio is anchored by the METAMAX 3B mobile system (580g, >1,000m Bluetooth telemetry, 6-hour battery, -10°C to 40°C tolerance, optional GPS) and the METALYZER 3B portable clinical system (up to 12-hour battery, Bluetooth LE), unified by the MetaSoft Studio application software platform that integrates third-party ECG, blood pressure, SpO2, and heart rate devices. Specialized add-on modules include a CANOPY option for resting metabolic rate measurement and a SWIM OPTION for aquatic cardiopulmonary testing, complemented by the CORTEX Bike M ergometer, disposable turbines, calibration gas, sensors, and consumables.
The company serves five primary vertical segments — medical/clinical (hospitals, cardiologists, pulmonologists, rehabilitation), sports and performance (Olympic training centers, professional teams, sports scientists), health and fitness, research and academia, and occupational medicine — through direct enterprise sales combined with a global network of certified regional distributors and service partners on all continents. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware system sales, with additional streams from software licensing, consumables (notably pre-calibrated disposable turbines), multi-year warranty extension programs (1-20 year terms with tiered discounts), and educational seminars/webinars on spiroergometry. Founded in 1991, CORTEX self-describes as the world market leader in mobile spiroergometry and has built reference credentials through high-visibility deployments including the 2007 Xtreme Everest high-altitude research expedition and the 2023 deployment of the METAMAX 3B aboard the International Space Station with ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst.
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CORTEX Biophysik GmbH
- Legal name
- CORTEX Biophysik GmbH
- Website
- https://www.cortex-medical.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- CORTEX Biophysik GmbH is a privately held Leipzig-based medical device manufacturer of mobile and portable breath-by-breath spiroergometry (CPET) systems, serving hospitals, sports medicine centers, Olympic training programs, and research institutions globally through direct sales and a worldwide distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Equipment
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) & Spirometry Equipment (HLAHAGAH)
Keywords
Where CORTEX Biophysik GmbH is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leipzig
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Systems Sales: Sale of METAMAX 3B and METALYZER 3B spiroergometry systems - the primary revenue stream. Systems are sold with various configurations and packages including Performance Packages with bundled hardware/software options.
- Software Licensing and Updates: MetaSoft Studio application software as basis of all CORTEX systems. Regular software updates included in warranty packages.
- Accessories and Consumables: Disposable turbines, calibration gas, O2 sensors, masks, adapters, and other accessories. Bacterial/virus filters (BVF), thermostable mask adapters, blood pressure cuffs.
- Extended Warranty Programs: Warranty extension packages for METALYZER 3B R3 and METAMAX 3B R2 covering hardware/software repair and software updates. Terms from 1 to 20 years with discounts for longer terms (6.5% for 2 years, 10% for 3+ years).
- Educational Seminars: Spiroergometry seminars for medical professionals, sports scientists, and coaches. Theory courses, practical courses, and user courses for medical assistants.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Warranty Extension for METALYZER 3B R3 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Warranty Extension for METAMAX 3B R2 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Theory Course (Spiroergometrie Führerschein) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Practice Course (Spiroergometrie Führerschein) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | User Course for Medical Assistants (MFA) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Webinar (Spiroergometrie) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kardiopulmonale Leistungsdiagnostik Book |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH develops, manufactures, and sells mobile and portable spiroergometry (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) systems for medical, sports, and research applications. The portfolio is anchored by the METAMAX 3B mobile field-testing system and the METALYZER 3B portable clinical system, both controlled by the proprietary MetaSoft Studio application software for breath-by-breath gas analysis, energy metabolism measurement, and integrated peripheral device management.
Product overview
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH offers a modular spiroergometry (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) portfolio centered on two primary hardware platforms: the mobile METAMAX 3B for field and extreme environment use, and the portable METALYZER 3B for clinical stationary applications. All systems are unified by the MetaSoft Studio software platform, which controls measurement processes and integrates peripheral devices. The product ecosystem includes specialized expansion options such as the CANOPY-Option for resting metabolic measurements and the SWIM OPTION for aquatic testing. Complementary accessories include the CORTEX Bike M ergometer and compatible third-party ECG, blood pressure, and heart rate monitoring devices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- METAMAX 3B Extremely lightweight mobile breath-by-breath spiroergometry system (580 g) with bidirectional Bluetooth telemetry over 1,000 m range, designed for field testing in sports, medicine, and extreme environments. Includes 6-hour battery life, 400 hours of data storage, GPS module for outdoor speed and altitude tracking, and operating temperature range from -10°C to 40°C. Used in sports medicine, elite athletics (Olympic Training Centers), occupational medicine, and space research (METAMAX 3B flown aboard the ISS with astronaut Alexander Gerst).
- METALYZER 3B High-resolution portable spiroergometry system with breath-by-breath technology for complete cardiopulmonary function analysis. Includes up to 12-hour internal battery, Bluetooth LE connectivity for heart rate, SpO2 and powermeters, monthly calibration intervals, and long-life O2 sensor. Designed for stationary and mobile clinical use in hospitals, sports medicine centers, and research laboratories.
- MetaSoft Studio Central application software platform that controls and monitors all spiroergometry processes across all CORTEX systems. Manages peripheral devices including heart rate monitors, blood pressure devices, SpO2 sensors, and other measurement instruments. Built without JAVA components and not affected by the Log4Shell vulnerability. Forms the basis of all CORTEX systems and includes individual software options for specialized applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- First mobile spiroergometry device used in space (ISS) by astronaut Alexander Gerst
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CORTEX Biophysik GmbH
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature8 records
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Therapiezentrum HohenzollernstrasseminorTherapy center using CORTEX systems for patient diagnostics.
- TU DresdencoreTechnical University of Dresden collaborates on research including the MetabolicSpace project with astronaut Alexander Gerst. Institute of Aerospace Medicine uses CORTEX systems for space research.
- ZfS Zentrum für Sportmedizin MünstercoreLeading sports medicine center partners with CORTEX to offer spiroergometry seminars and produce educational content. Hosts theory, practice, and user courses.
- Xtreme-Everest, CASE Medicine (UK)coreCORTEX systems used in Xtreme Everest 2007 high-altitude medical research expedition, validating equipment in extreme conditions.
- Olympic Training Centers (Olympiastützpunkte)coreMultiple Olympic Training Centers in Germany use CORTEX systems for athlete performance diagnostics.
- HTWK LeipzigminorLeipzig University of Applied Sciences partners for research and education in sports science.
- Academy of SportsminorSports academy partner for education and training programs.
- OSP SachsenminorOlympic training center in Saxony region for athlete performance support.
- OSP ThüringenminorOlympic training center in Thuringia region for athlete performance support.
- Fitness 4 BusinessminorFitness business distributor for CORTEX products in Germany.
- ILUG - Institut für Leistungsdiagnostik und GesundheitsförderungminorInstitute for performance diagnostics and health promotion - educational and consulting partner.
- Institut für Angewandte Trainingswissenschaft LeipzigminorApplied sports science institute in Leipzig for research collaboration.
- mobilo - Zentrum für Medical Fitness & PräventionminorMedical fitness and prevention center distributor.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- COSMED: Italy-based global manufacturer of CPET systems (Quark series), metabolic carts, and pulmonary function equipment. Direct competitor in breath-by-breath cardiopulmonary exercise testing across clinical, sports, and research markets.
- MGC Diagnostics (now part of CAIRE): US-based manufacturer of Ultima CPET and metabolic stress testing systems. Direct competitor in clinical cardiopulmonary diagnostics, particularly in North American hospital and clinical research markets.
- nSpire Health: Manufacturer of pulmonary function testing (PFT) and CPET equipment including the KoKo PFT and Ultima CPET systems. Competes directly with CORTEX in respiratory diagnostics and metabolic stress testing.
Broad incumbents
- Vyaire Medical: Large respiratory and anesthesia medical device company (formed from CareFusion/Becton Dickinson spin-off). Overlaps with CORTEX in pulmonary function testing and respiratory diagnostics but operates as a broad incumbent with a much wider product portfolio.
- Schiller AG: Swiss manufacturer of ECG, cardiology, and cardiopulmonary diagnostic equipment. Competitor in integrated stress testing and CPET workflows, with extensive global hospital distribution.
- Philips Respironics: Broad incumbent in respiratory care and monitoring, with PFT and sleep diagnostic adjacencies. While not a direct CPET competitor, competes for the same hospital respiratory diagnostics budget and customer base.
- GE Healthcare: Broad incumbent in medical imaging, diagnostics, and patient monitoring with overlapping cardiopulmonary diagnostic workflows. Indirect competitor for hospital capital equipment budgets across clinical segments.
Emerging players
- Geratherm Medical: German medical technology company with respiratory and diagnostic product lines. Regional European player with overlap in respiratory diagnostics and cardiopulmonary monitoring.
- Polar Electro: Sports heart rate monitoring and performance analytics company. Competes with CORTEX at the sports/performance end through wearable sensors and software platforms, though without clinical-grade metabolic gas analysis.
- SDI Diagnostics: Smaller specialist manufacturer of PFT and CPET systems. Direct niche competitor with similar product positioning to CORTEX in pulmonary function and cardiopulmonary exercise testing equipment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH social profiles
Digital presenceCORTEX Biophysik GmbH compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CORTEX Biophysik GmbH
What does CORTEX Biophysik GmbH do?
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH develops, manufactures, and sells mobile and portable spiroergometry (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) systems for medical, sports, and research applications. The portfolio is anchored by the METAMAX 3B mobile field-testing system and the METALYZER 3B portable clinical system, both controlled by the proprietary MetaSoft Studio application software for breath-by-breath gas analysis, energy metabolism measurement, and integrated peripheral device management.
Is CORTEX Biophysik GmbH a public or private company?
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was CORTEX Biophysik GmbH founded?
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH was founded in 2007.
Where is CORTEX Biophysik GmbH based?
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH is headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does CORTEX Biophysik GmbH make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Systems Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing and Updates, accessories and Consumables, extended Warranty Programs and educational Seminars.
Who are CORTEX Biophysik GmbH's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are COSMED, MGC Diagnostics (now part of CAIRE) and nSpire Health. Broad incumbents are Vyaire Medical, Schiller AG, Philips Respironics and GE Healthcare. Emerging players are Geratherm Medical, Polar Electro and SDI Diagnostics.
Does CORTEX Biophysik GmbH have an API?
No public API is recorded for CORTEX Biophysik GmbH.
What industry is CORTEX Biophysik GmbH in?
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH's product category is Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAGAH, Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) & Spirometry Equipment. Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3845.