Physios Biotech

What Physios Biotech does

Physios Biotech, Inc. is a Japanese biotechnology company founded on July 12, 2023, in Morioka, Iwate, that develops microphysiological systems (MPS) — also known as organ-on-a-chip devices — using nano- and micro-fabrication to recreate human organ functions on microfluidic chips. Its product line centers on the Boncyte™ Chip family (Double Flow for 2D epithelial-endothelial barrier models, 3-Channel for vascular network formation, and Spheroid for spheroid-based angiogenesis and cancer models), supported by an SBS-standard Chip Holder enabling 24 parallel assays and a Boncyte Rocker for continuous medium perfusion. Core applications include drug transport evaluation, toxicity testing, pharmacokinetics prediction, and disease modeling using iPS cell-derived tissues, with peer-reviewed validations published in iScience (2024), PNAS (2024), and Biomaterials (2020).

The company generates revenue through a hybrid model: hardware unit sales of chips, holders, and rocker instruments via authorized distributors; paid technology transfer and on-site hands-on training; bespoke collaborative research agreements executed under NDA; and planned MPS evaluation services delivered through CRO partners. It also pursues non-dilutive funding through Japanese government programs, most notably the Go-Tech (Growth-type SME R&D Support) subsidy awarded in 2024 for kidney MPS development in partnership with Kyoto University, Iwate University, Sojo University, and RIKEN. Primary customers are pharmaceutical companies seeking human-relevant preclinical alternatives to animal testing, together with academic research institutions such as Kyoto University and RIKEN BDR; CROs are a stated secondary segment.

Physios Biotech monetizes its research foundation through a comprehensive supplier model combining product sales, validated protocols, technical training, consulting, and joint development. Its international footprint is anchored by a wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary (Physios Biotech HK Limited, established December 18, 2025), an October 2025 joint research agreement with Hong Kong-based ABIC, and active participation in MPS World Summits (Belgium 2025, Washington D.C. 2026), MEMS Engineer Forum, Microfluidics Symposium, BioJapan/JHVS, and TOLIC consortia. The leadership team pairs commercial CEO Ichiro Miki with CTO Prof. Ryuji Yokokawa of Kyoto University, supported by advisors including RIKEN BDR Team Leader Minoru Takasato and Kyoto University Emeritus Professor Hidetoshi Kotera.

Name

Physios Biotech

Legal name

Physios Biotech, Inc.

Website

https://physiosbiotech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Physios Biotech is a Japanese biotech (founded 2023, Morioka) that develops microphysiological systems (Boncyte™ organ-on-a-chip products) using nano/micro-fabrication to recreate human organ functions, serving pharmaceutical companies and academic research institutions with chip sales, training, and collaborative research services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organ-on-Chip / Microphysiological Systems

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

In Vitro Model Systems & Organoid Platforms (iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems) (HLAAAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cell Culture & Bioprocess Lab Equipment (Bioreactors, Single-Use Systems, Controllers) (HLAGAIAG)

Keywords

• Organ-on-chip devices
• Microphysiological systems
• Microfluidic chip products
• Drug transport assays
• Preclinical toxicity testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Morioka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. MPS Chips and Devices Sales: Sale of Boncyte™ Chip products (Double Flow, 3-Channel, Spheroid variants), chip holders, and peripheral equipment through authorized distributors. Products include standard protocols with purchase.
2. Technology Transfer and Training Services: Online and on-site hands-on training for Boncyte™ Chip usage and experimental protocols. Additional fees apply for on-site training including technical support and travel expenses.
3. Collaborative Research: Joint development projects with customers including NDA execution, detailed technical discussions, collaborative research agreement, and project execution. Customized MPS solutions developed based on customer needs.
4. MPS Evaluation Services: Contract research services for MPS model evaluation, planned to be offered through CRO partners in the future.
5. Consulting Services: Ongoing consultation and follow-up support regarding data interpretation and development strategy for MPS development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Physios Biotech develops and sells microphysiological systems (MPS / organ-on-chip) under the Boncyte™ brand, including the Double Flow, 3-Channel, and Spheroid chip variants, along with the Chip Holder and Boncyte Rocker instrument. Beyond hardware, the company provides technology transfer, hands-on training, collaborative research, and planned MPS evaluation services through CRO partners for pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers conducting drug transport, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics studies.

Product overview

Physios Biotech is a comprehensive MPS (Microphysiological Systems) supplier offering the Boncyte Chip product line alongside complementary accessories and instruments. The product portfolio consists of three core MPS chips: Boncyte Chip –Double Flow– for 2D epithelial barrier models; Boncyte Chip –3-Channel– for vascular network formation and 3D culture; and Boncyte Chip –Spheroid– for spheroid-based angiogenesis and cancer models. These chips are supported by the Chip Holder (SBS-standard accessory for high-throughput assays) and the Boncyte Rocker (instrument for continuous medium perfusion). Beyond product sales, the company provides end-to-end services including In-House MPS Development (consultation, technology transfer, and protocol support), Collaborative MPS Development (joint research with NDA and contractual agreements), and MPS Evaluation Services (contract research via CRO partnerships). The Boncyte Chips are designed for applications in drug transport evaluation, toxicity testing, pharmacokinetics prediction, and cancer research using organ-on-chip technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Boncyte: MPS chip product line including Boncyte Chip –Double Flow–, Boncyte Chip –3-Channel–, and Boncyte Chip –Spheroid– for epithelial barrier evaluation, vascular network formation, and spheroid-based angiogenesis assays

Products and services

• Boncyte Chip –Double Flow– MPS chip featuring a porous membrane sandwiched between upper and lower microchannels. Used by pharmaceutical researchers and academics to form epithelial layers and conduct drug transport studies and toxicity evaluation.
• Boncyte Chip –3-Channel– MPS chip with three parallel microchannels separated by pillar structures. Enables vascular network formation in the central channel, angiogenesis assays, and drug transport evaluation across cellular layers. Targets researchers conducting vascular biology, tumor microenvironment, and 3D tissue co-culture studies.
• Boncyte Chip –Spheroid– Modified 3-channel MPS chip with spheroid-trapping structures in the central gel channel. Enables spheroid-induced angiogenesis evaluation and cancer model construction with easy gel loading, oxygen-permeable membrane, and consistent spheroid positioning. Targets cancer researchers and drug discovery teams evaluating tumor-vascular interactions.
• Chip Holder SBS standard-compliant holder housing six Boncyte Chips and enabling 24 simultaneous assays. Provides workflow standardization and increased throughput for pharmaceutical and academic users running parallel MPS experiments.
• Boncyte Rocker Rocker-based instrument that gently agitates culture medium in microchannels using a rocking motion to continuously supply fresh medium to cells. Supports long-term culture in Boncyte Chips for pharmaceutical and academic users.
• Technology Transfer and Training Services Online and on-site hands-on training covering Boncyte™ Chip usage and experimental protocols. Additional fees apply for on-site training including technical support and travel expenses. Supports pharmaceutical and academic customers adopting the chip product line.
• Collaborative Research Services Joint development projects with customers including NDA execution, detailed technical discussions, collaborative research agreement, and project execution. Customized MPS solutions developed based on customer needs. Targets pharmaceutical companies requiring tailored organ-on-chip models.
• MPS Evaluation Services (planned via CRO partners) Planned contract research services for MPS model evaluation to be offered through CRO partners. Will enable pharmaceutical clients to outsource MPS-based preclinical assays without building in-house capability.

Quantifiable outcome

• iPS-RPTECs exhibited higher expression levels of OAT1/3 and OCT2 compared to immortalized RPTECs, enabling evaluation of drug excretion and nephrotoxicity
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre Limited (ABIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2025Joint research agreement for scientific research and technological advancement of MPS. Collaboration aims to explore, establish and validate utility of MPS technologies for pharmaceutical development. ABIC is coordinated by University of Hong Kong (HKU) at Hong Kong Science Park.
• 京都大学 横川研究室 (Yokokawa Laboratory, Kyoto University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding academic laboratory of CTO Ryuji Yokokawa, Professor at Kyoto University. Source of core MPS technologies including iPS-derived proximal tubule MPS, vascular network models, and tumor spheroid platforms. Co-development of MPS applications and technology transfer from academia.
• 理化学研究所 生命機能科学研究センター ヒト器官形成研究チーム (RIKEN BDR Human Organogenesis Lab)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research. Advisor Minoru Takasato serves as RIKEN BDR Team Leader. Joint efforts in iPS cell technology and organoid development.
• MPS実用化推進協議会 (MPS Practical Use Promotion Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry consortium promoting MPS practical implementation. Company participates in academic symposiums organized by the council.
• 特定非営利活動法人バイオ計測技術コンソーシアム (JMAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan bio Measurement & Analysis Consortium for bio measurement technology. Company joined in April 2024 and participates in JMAC symposiums.
• ヒトiPS細胞応用安全性評価コンソーシアム (CSAHi) 安全性評価MPS応用チームminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium for iPS cell application safety evaluation. Company participates in MPS application team to collaborate closely with pharmaceutical companies for product development.
• 東北ライフサイエンス・インストルメンツ・クラスター (TOLIC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTohoku Life Science Instruments Cluster is an industry-academia-government-finance consortium serving as hub for life science equipment in Tohoku region.
• 公益財団法人いわて産業振興センターcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIwate Industry Promotion Center serves as business management organization for Go-Tech事业. Collaborates with company on kidney MPS development project.
• 国立大学法人京都大学 / 国立大学法人岩手大学 / 学校法人君が淵学園崇城大学 / 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity and research institute partners in Go-Tech project for kidney MPS development, including Kyoto University, Iwate University, Sojo University, and RIKEN.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Corning Life Sciences: Established life science consumables manufacturer (Transwell inserts, Matrigel, microplates) that competes with Boncyte chips in cell barrier and 3D culture applications. Larger product portfolio and global distribution give incumbency advantages but lack organ-on-chip specialization.
• Sartorius: German bioprocess and lab products supplier with cell analysis and bioprocessing platforms. Relevant incumbent peer for bioprocess lab equipment and broader cell culture workflows; less MPS-focused but serves the same pharma R&D budget.
• Revvity: Global life science tools company offering cell-based assay platforms, imaging, and reagents used in preclinical drug testing. Overlaps with Physios Biotech in serving pharma toxicology workflows, with much broader reagent/instrument portfolio and global sales reach.

Direct peers

• Mimetas: Netherlands-based OrganoPlate MPS provider using microfluidic 3D cell culture plates. Direct competitor with overlapping pharma client base and similar application focus on drug-induced organ toxicity and disease modeling.
• Hesperos: US-based MPS company offering multi-organ human-on-a-chip systems for preclinical drug testing. Direct competitor in body-on-a-chip and contract research services, sharing pharma validation customers.
• CN Bio: UK-based single- and multi-organ MPS platform (PhysioMimix) used for ADME and toxicity testing. Direct competitor to Physios Biotech, with overlapping customer base among top-20 pharma and similar commercial MPS offering.
• TissUse: Germany-based multi-organ-on-chip specialist with HUMIMIC platform. Direct competitor in MPS hardware sales and pharma toxicology services, with comparable academic-to-commercial trajectory.
• InSphero: Swiss 3D in vitro technology company specializing in organotypic microtissues for drug safety and efficacy testing. Overlaps with Physios Biotech's Spheroid Boncyte chip for oncology and toxicology applications; similar academic-spinoff origin and pharma customer base.
• Emulate: US-based organ-on-chip pioneer (Liver-Chip, Brain-Chip, etc.). Direct competitor to Physios Biotech's Boncyte chips in pharma drug transport and toxicity testing applications; uses a similar microfluidic platform strategy and comparable sales motion to large pharma.

Emerging players

• Axosim: US-based nerve-on-chip MPS provider focused on neurological drug screening and disease modeling. Comparable academic-spinout stage and MPS strategy; relevant as an emerging peer in the broader organ-on-chip landscape.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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