Cell Projects

What Cell Projects does

Cell Projects Ltd is a privately held UK molecular biology and diagnostics consumables manufacturer, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Harrietsham, Kent. The company operates two product brands: Isohelix, which covers DNA/RNA collection, stabilization and isolation kits (including the GeneFix saliva collection device and high-yield buccal swabs with stated room-temperature DNA stability exceeding three years), and the Cell Projects brand, which covers precision-moulded plastic consumables including HiMaX electroporation cuvettes, PCR/qPCR plates, cap strips and sealing films. Underlying capabilities include in-house mould design and production, clean-room assembly, gamma irradiation, and proprietary sample-preparation chemistry certified to BS EN ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 9001 standards, with CE-marked IVD product registrations. Customers span four segments: life sciences research institutions, molecular diagnostics companies, forensic laboratories, and OEM/contract-manufacturing technology clients.

The business model combines direct product sales, contract manufacturing, IP licensing, and joint development partnerships. Branded products are sold globally through trained international distributors (who hold local stock for fulfillment and technical support) and directly to scientists via the company website, while OEM and licensing engagements monetize the manufacturing platform and proprietary chemistry separately. Pricing is quote-based, negotiated individually per customer, and disclosed as confidential, with terms typically denominated in GBP, EUR or USD and structured around pre-payment or short credit cycles. There are no disclosed funding rounds, parent entities, or institutional investors, and no public revenue, headcount, or financial figures are available in the source material.

The company's competitive positioning rests on its regulatory certifications and proprietary chemistry across the sample-to-assay workflow. It maintains active IP covering DNA and RNA sample preparation chemistries for multiple tissue types and both manual and automated workflows, plus registered brands (Isohelix, GeneFix, HiMaX, Spin+Collect). Customer evidence is segmented rather than concentrated on a single named logo, and the international distributor model is the primary scaling mechanism for geographic reach.

Name

Cell Projects

Legal name

Cell Projects Ltd

Website

https://cellprojects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cell Projects Ltd is a UK-based manufacturer of DNA/RNA collection, stabilization and isolation kits under the Isohelix brand and precision plastic consumables (PCR plates, electroporation cuvettes) under the Cell Projects brand, serving life sciences research, clinical diagnostics, forensics and OEM partners globally through distributors and direct sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Molecular Biology Consumables and Diagnostics

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Plastics Products, Nec (3089)

akta.pro primary industry

Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Plasmid DNA & mRNA Manufacturing Services (HLAAAKAE)

Keywords

• Molecular biology products
• DNA collection kits
• PCR consumables
• Electroporation cuvettes
• IVD manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales – Isohelix Brand: Sale of molecular biology products under the Isohelix brand including DNA/RNA collection, stabilization and isolation kits. Products sold through international distributors and directly to scientists.
2. Product Sales – Cell Projects Brand: Sale of consumable plastics including PCR/qPCR plates, electroporation cuvettes, and sample storage products under the Cell Projects brand.
3. Contract Manufacturing: Sub-contract manufacturing services for plastic component design and development for DNA sample collection and isolation kits, including assembly, QC, gamma irradiation, and packaging under the client's brand. BS EN ISO 13485:2016 certified production.
4. IP Licensing: Licensing of DNA and RNA sample preparation IP covering chemistry requirements for working with different tissues and sample sources, for both manual and automated workflows. Enables businesses to develop products for PCR, direct to PCR and NGS applications.
5. Joint Development Agreements: Co-development partnerships with inventors and companies, with financial benefits through royalties or other compensation as technology progresses through development and commercialization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Cell Projects develops and manufactures DNA/RNA collection, stabilization, and isolation kits (sold under the Isohelix brand, including GeneFiX saliva collection devices, buccal swabs, and isolation kits) and precision plastic consumables for PCR/qPCR and electroporation (sold under the Cell Projects brand, including HiMaX cuvettes, PCR plates, cap strips, and sealing films). The company also provides IVD product development, contract manufacturing, and DNA/RNA technology licensing services for life sciences research, molecular diagnostics, and forensics customers worldwide.

Product overview

Cell Projects Ltd operates as a Molecular Biology Products & Diagnostics Manufacturer offering a portfolio of products under the Cell Projects and Isohelix brands. The product portfolio centers on DNA/RNA collection, stabilization and isolation solutions (including GeneFiX Saliva DNA Collection devices and DNA Buccal Swabs & Kits under Isohelix), and consumable plastics for molecular biology applications (HiMaX Electroporation Cuvettes and PCR/qPCR Plates under Cell Projects). The company also provides complementary services including IVD Product Development and Manufacturing, Contract Manufacture of plastic components, Partnering collaborations, and Licensing of DNA/RNA technology IP. All products are manufactured under ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications and sold through international distributors as well as directly to scientists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Isohelix: Complete range of DNA/RNA Collection, Stabilization and Isolation products for Research and Diagnostics.
• GeneFiX
• HiMaX

Products and services

• GeneFiX Saliva DNA Collection Device

Quantifiable outcome

• High Saliva DNA kit yields over 100 micrograms
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature10 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• International DistributorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCell Projects has an established distributor network covering most countries. These distributors have extensive training to answer customer questions and can supply products locally from their own stocking facilities. Customers are referred to their local distributor for local supply.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad is a major manufacturer of PCR/qPCR consumables, reagents, and life science research instruments. Their plate, tube and consumable offerings directly overlap Cell Projects' plastics business, particularly for research-grade molecular biology customers.
• SARSTEDT: SARSTEDT produces precision plastic consumables for sample collection, handling, and processing including swabs, tubes, and PCR-grade plastics. Their IVD-graded disposable plastics and sample collection products overlap directly with Cell Projects' plastics and DNA/RNA collection portfolio.
• Qiagen: Qiagen is the dominant direct competitor in DNA/RNA sample collection and isolation kits, with overlapping saliva and buccal collection products. Cell Projects' Isohelix line competes head-to-head with Qiagen's sample-prep portfolio across research and diagnostic customers.
• Eppendorf: Eppendorf supplies premium laboratory consumables including PCR tubes, plates, and electroporation cuvettes to life science customers. HiMaX electroporation cuvettes and PCR/qPCR plates compete in the same premium plastics category as Eppendorf.
• DNA Genotek (Part of OraSure Technologies): DNA Genotek (OraSure) is the lead competitor in saliva-based DNA collection devices (e.g., Oragene), the same core segment where Cell Projects sells GeneFiX. Both target direct-to-consumer genetics, clinical research and diagnostics customers.
• COPAN Diagnostics: COPAN Diagnostics manufactures Flocked Swab and molecular sample-collection consumables used in diagnostics, forensics, and life science research. Both companies sell IVD-grade sample collection devices with regulatory certifications, overlapping directly with Cell Projects' swab and collection kits.
• Streck: Streck develops molecular diagnostics and specimen collection devices, including DNA preservation products used in research and clinical settings. Their stabilization chemistry overlaps with Cell Projects' DNA/RNA stabilization technology on room-temperature long-term stability claims.

Emerging players

• Zymo Research: Zymo Research offers DNA/RNA collection devices and isolation kits including swab and saliva products, serving both research and clinical diagnostics. Their sample-prep technology breadth overlaps with Isohelix and provides a comparable independent alternative.
• Norgen Biotek: Norgen Biotek manufactures DNA/RNA isolation and purification kits for research and clinical use, including saliva and swab sample preparation. They overlap Cell Projects' Isohelix isolation kits in customer segments and product function.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher is the broad incumbent serving life science research, diagnostics, and forensics across a huge portfolio. Through brands including Invitrogen, Applied Biosystems and Thermo Scientific it competes with Cell Projects in PCR plastics, sample preparation, and IVD supplies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cell-projects-limited

Compliance4 records

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 Cell Projects