Bio-Optic

What Bio-Optic does

Bio-Optic S.R.L. is an Argentine private limited company founded in 1997 and headquartered in Florida, Vicente López, Buenos Aires. The company operates as a specialized distributor and technical service provider for microscopy, digital pathology, and forensic laboratory equipment, with the exclusive rights to distribute Leica Microsystems and Leica Biosystems products throughout Argentina. Its portfolio spans optical, stereoscopic, and confocal microscopes, ultramicrotomes, microdissection systems, refractometers, immunohistochemistry and ISH solutions, whole-slide imaging (WSI) services, and forensic equipment including ballistic comparators and documentology systems. Bio-Optic also distributes complementary brands (MShot, Regula, Pathomation, Sensofar, Biocare) and integrates third-party software platforms (Microvisioneer, Leica LAS/LAS X/Enersight), making it a one-stop channel for advanced microscopy workflows in the Argentine market.

The company's revenue model combines capital equipment sales, recurring technical support and preventive maintenance contracts, training services, and digital histopathology (slide scanning) services. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; payment is facilitated through credit cards with installment options (Visa, Mastercard, CABAL, 1/3/6 installments), Mercado Pago, and bank transfer to Banco de la Nación Argentina. Bio-Optic serves research and academic institutions (multiple CONICET centers, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata), healthcare providers (Hospital Alemán), and government forensic agencies (Gendarmería Nacional Argentina, Policía Federal Argentina, Policía Judicial de Córdoba) across Argentina. The company employs 11-50 staff, is ISO 9001 certified by TÜV Rheinland (2022), and recently introduced MICRA, an AI-powered 24/7 customer support chatbot, signaling incremental investment in software-enabled service layers beyond traditional hardware distribution.

Name

Bio-Optic

Legal name

BIO-OPTIC S.R.L.

Website

https://bio-optic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bio-Optic S.R.L. is the exclusive Argentine distributor of Leica microscopy and biosystems products, supplying optical and confocal microscopes, digital pathology, and forensic equipment to research institutes, hospitals, and government forensic agencies across Argentina since 1997.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microscopy Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Microscopy equipment
• Digital pathology solutions
• Laboratory instruments
• Forensic analysis equipment
• Technical maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Buenos Aires

HQ country

Argentina

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Microscopy Equipment Sales: Sale of optical microscopes, confocal microscopes, stereoscopic microscopes, refractometers, microdissection systems, ultramicrotomes, digital cameras, and related laboratory equipment. Bio-Optic distributes Leica products exclusively in Argentina along with MShot, Regula, Pathomation, Sensofar, and Biocare brands.
2. Technical Support and Maintenance Services: Preventive maintenance, repairs, calibration, and post-sale technical support for microscopy equipment. Services include remote, telephone, and in-person support nationwide. Certified technicians by Leica Microsystems and Biosystems.
3. Training and Capacitation: Training services for users on equipment operation, software usage, and best practices for microscopy techniques.
4. Digital Pathology Services: Scanning of prepared samples (Histopathology Digital - WSI) for digital pathology applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bio-Optic distributes and supports microscopy, image analysis, and forensic equipment in Argentina as the exclusive authorized distributor of Leica Microsystems and Leica Biosystems, alongside brands such as Mshot, Regula, Pathomation, Sensofar, Biocare, and Microvisioneer. The company sells optical, stereoscopic, and confocal microscopes, refractometers, microdissection systems, ultramicrotomes, immunohistochemistry and digital pathology solutions, forensic instruments, and related software, and provides bundled technical support, preventive maintenance, training, and slide digitization (WSI) services nationwide.

Product overview

Bio-Optic is an Argentine company (founded 1997) specializing in microscopy, image analysis, and forensic sciences. They operate as a distributor for multiple international brands including Leica Microsystems, Leica Biosystems, Regula, Pathomation, Mshot, Sensofar, and Biocare. Their product portfolio encompasses optical microscopes (biological, metallurgical, polarization, inverted), stereoscopic microscopes, confocal microscopes, refractometers, microdissection systems, ultramicrotomes, digital cameras, and forensic equipment (ballistic comparators, documentology systems). They also distribute and support various software platforms including Leica LAS/LAS X/Enersight for image capture and analysis, Microvisioneer for whole slide imaging, and Mshot image analysis software. Bio-Optic provides comprehensive services including technical support (remote, telephone, and on-site), preventive maintenance, slide digitization (WSI/digital histopathology), training, and recently introduced MICRA, an AI-powered 24/7 customer support chatbot. Their offerings serve education, research, healthcare, industry, and criminalistics sectors throughout Argentina.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Optical Microscopes (Biological, Metallurgical, Polarization, Inverted) Optical microscopes covering biological research, metallurgical analysis, polarization studies, and inverted cell culture observation, distributed in Argentina by Bio-Optic primarily under the Leica brand for research, clinical, and industrial laboratories.
• Stereoscopic Microscopes Stereoscopic microscopes (lupas) for three-dimensional observation, used in electronics assembly, biology, embryology (e.g., IVF), and quality control applications.
• Confocal Microscopes Confocal laser scanning microscopes providing high-resolution 3D imaging capabilities for advanced research applications such as molecular genetics and cell biology.
• Immunohistochemistry and In Situ Hybridization Solutions Products and solutions for immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization techniques used in pathology and diagnostic laboratories, including Leica Biosystems pathology systems and Biocare reagents.
• Digital Pathology / Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) Solutions Whole slide imaging solutions for digitizing histological samples and pathology slides, including Microvisioneer ManualWSI and Pathomation software platforms that enable remote consultation, digital pathology workflows, and analysis of prepared samples.
• Forensic Sciences Equipment Forensic equipment including ballistics comparators and documentology systems for criminalistics and forensic analysis, distributed under the Regula brand for government security forces and forensic laboratories.
• Cytogenetics and Fertility Equipment Equipment and solutions for cytogenetics research and fertility/embryology applications, including stereoscopic microscopes configured for assisted reproduction and embryology workflows.
• Sample Preparation Equipment (SEM/TEM/AFM/CLEM) Sample preparation equipment including ultramicrotomes for electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and correlated light and electron microscopy (CLEM).
• Refractometers (Manual, Benchtop, Abbe, Peltier) Refractometers for measuring refractive index in laboratory and industrial applications, available in manual, benchtop, Abbe, and Peltier-controlled configurations.
• Microdissection Systems Laser-based microdissection systems for precise extraction of specific cells or tissues from samples for molecular analysis.
• Ultramicrotomes Precision instruments for cutting ultra-thin tissue sections for electron microscopy examination, including Leica ultramicrotomes.
• Microscopy Digital Cameras Digital cameras for microscopy, including Leica Emspira 3, Ivesta 3, Flexacam, and Mshot cameras for image capture, documentation, and inspection workflows.
• Microscopy Image Analysis Software (Leica LAS, LAS X, Enersight; Mshot) Image acquisition and analysis software for microscope control, image capture, measurement, and analysis, including Leica LAS, LAS X, Enersight, and Mshot platforms.
• Industrial Microscopy Solutions Industrial microscopy and inspection solutions for manufacturing quality control, materials inspection, and production processes, including Sensofar optical profiling and surface measurement systems.
• General Laboratory Equipment General laboratory equipment and supplies for scientific research and diagnostic applications, complementing the core microscopy portfolio.
• Technical Support Services (Post-Sale) Post-sale technical support including remote, telephone, and on-site assistance for microscopy equipment throughout Argentina, provided by Leica-certified technicians.
• Preventive Maintenance Services Scheduled preventive maintenance services for microscopy equipment including adjustments, integral preventive maintenance, diagnosis and technical assistance, and planned delivery of Leica accessories and spare parts.
• Slide Scanning / Digital Histopathology Service Slide digitization and whole slide imaging (WSI) service for pathology and research applications, enabling remote consultation and digital analysis of prepared samples.
• Training Services (Capacitaciones) Technical training and education services for microscopy users on equipment operation, software (LAS, LAS X, Enersight), and best practices for microscopy techniques.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nationwide service coverage in Argentina
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Leica Microsystems / Leica BiosystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1997Primary strategic partnership where Bio-Optic serves as the exclusive authorized representative and distributor for Leica microscopy products in Argentina. Bio-Optic's technicians are certified by Leica Microsystems and Biosystems, and the company provides comprehensive technical support, maintenance, and spare parts services for Leica equipment throughout Argentina.
• MShotsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for MShot brand cameras and microscopy equipment in Argentina.
• RegulasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Regula brand forensic and document analysis equipment in Argentina.
• PathomationsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for digital pathology and whole slide imaging software solutions.
• SensofarsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Sensofar optical metrology and microscopy equipment in Argentina.
• BiocaresupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Biocare immunohistochemistry and pathology equipment in Argentina.
• MicrovisioneersupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for ManualWSI software enabling conversion of microscopes to manual whole slide scanners for digital pathology applications. Software is used in over 60 countries worldwide.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Nikon Instruments: Producer of optical and confocal microscope systems for research, clinical, and industrial use, often distributed through regional partners across Latin America — directly competing for the same end customers as Bio-Optic.
• Evident (formerly Olympus Life Science): Manufacturer of optical microscopes, confocal systems, and clinical imaging platforms. Direct competitor to Leica in Bio-Optic's core microscopy verticals and potential distributor principal for a competing local partner.
• Carl Zeiss Microscopy: Global manufacturer of high-end optical and electron microscopes competing head-to-head with Leica in the same customer segments (research, clinical, industry). Bio-Optic competes against Zeiss-appointed distributors in Argentina.
• Leica Microsystems: Manufacturer of the optical microscopes, confocal systems, and LAS/Enersight software that Bio-Optic distributes exclusively in Argentina. As Bio-Optic's primary principal, Leica sets the product roadmap and global pricing that Bio-Optic operates against.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Diversified life-science instruments major with a microscopy and pathology imaging portfolio that overlaps Bio-Optic's offering, particularly in clinical and research channels in Latin America.
• Bruker: Manufacturer of advanced optical and atomic force microscopes used in materials science and life-science research — directly overlapping Bio-Optic's industrial and academic microscopy categories.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Manufacturer of scientific digital cameras (NanoZoomer, ORCA) used across microscopy and slide-scanning applications — directly relevant to Bio-Optic's camera and digital pathology product lines.

Direct peers

• Pathomation: Digital pathology software vendor whose platform Bio-Optic distributes and integrates. Competes with 3DHISTECH CaseViewer and Aperio in the same WSI ecosystem that Bio-Optic sells into Argentine clinical and research labs.
• Sensofar: Manufacturer of optical profilometers and surface metrology systems already distributed by Bio-Optic in Argentina. As a partner principal, Sensofar shapes Bio-Optic's industrial microscopy offering and revenue mix.
• 3DHISTECH: Digital pathology and whole slide imaging vendor whose P1000 scanner and CaseViewer software compete with the Leica Aperio/Pathomation stack that Bio-Optic distributes, particularly in clinical histopathology workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bio_optic
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJOGodM_eh76uMwWdJrns4Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/biooptic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bio-optic-srl
• Instagraminstagram.com/bio.optic/?hl=es-la

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Bio-Optic