What Active Biomarkers does

Active Biomarkers is a private bioanalytical services provider headquartered in Lyon, France, founded in 2011, that delivers soluble and cellular biomarker analysis in support of clinical trials. Its service portfolio spans small molecule bioanalysis, large molecule analysis by ligand binding assay (LBA), hybrid LC-MS/MS, immunogenicity testing, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), biomarker testing, flow cytometry, and molecular biology. The company operates GLP/GCP compliant laboratory services and supports work across twelve therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, rare diseases, and neurology. According to the aggregated data set, the affiliated laboratory operations have developed over 6,200 proprietary and non-proprietary assays, supported 315+ approved drugs, and completed more than 20-25 FDA audits with no major findings, reflecting a 45-year operational track record in the bioanalytical CRO space.

The underlying technology stack is built around a multi-platform analytical infrastructure including ELISA, ELISpot, Meso Scale Discovery, Luminex, NULISA-Argo HT, LC-MS/MS, qPCR/ddPCR, LC-UV-Vis/fluorescence, Lumipulse G, and globally harmonized Cytek spectral flow cytometry across US, EU, and Australian sites. This instrumentation, combined with 65+ PhD-level scientists, positions the company to handle complex modalities including drug conjugates, large molecule biologics, and cell therapy immune monitoring. The Lyon facility operates as part of a globally distributed laboratory network spanning Kansas City, Philadelphia, Lyon, and Melbourne.

The business model is a professional services / fee-for-service CRO model, with project-based contracts for assay development, validation, and sample analysis. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to individual client requirements with no public pricing tiers. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors, supported by content marketing, scientific publications, podcasts, webinars, and an active LinkedIn and YouTube presence. The firm reports a horizontal segmentation approach, serving drug development programs across all therapeutic areas rather than specializing in a single modality or indication.

Name

Active Biomarkers

Legal name

KCAS Bio

Website

https://active-biomarkers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Active Biomarkers is a Lyon, France-based bioanalytical CRO providing soluble and cellular biomarker analysis for clinical trials, supporting pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors with GLP/GCP compliant assay development and sample analysis services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioanalytical CRO Services

NAICS

Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioanalytical & Biomarker CROs (PK/PD/Immunogenicity) (HLAGAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Biomarker Laboratory Services (Immunoassays/Flow/Cytometry) (HLAGAEAB), Clinical Biomarker Testing Services (central labs, trial enrollment/monitoring assays) (HLAAAMAC)

Keywords

• Biomarker analysis services
• Clinical trial bioanalysis
• Pharmacokinetics pharmacodynamics
• Immunogenicity testing
• Cell-based assays

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bioanalytical CRO Services: Contract research organization providing fee-for-service bioanalytical development, testing, and support services for pharmaceutical and biotech drug development programs. Revenue generated through project-based contracts for assay development, validation, and sample analysis services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Active Biomarkers is a bioanalytical service provider based in Lyon, France, founded in 2011, delivering soluble and cellular biomarker analysis in the context of clinical trials. The company operates within a broader bioanalytical CRO platform that supports pharmaceutical and biotech clients with bioanalytical method development, validation, and sample analysis for small and large molecule drug development programs.

Product overview

KCAS Bio is a bioanalytical contract research organization (CRO) offering a comprehensive portfolio of laboratory testing services organized around three core pillars: Services (bioanalytical testing capabilities), Technology platforms (analytical instrumentation and methodologies), and Therapeutic Area expertise. The Services division includes small and large molecule bioanalysis, immunogenicity testing, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, biomarker testing, flow cytometry, molecular biology, dose formulation, and central lab services. The Technology pillar provides access to multiple analytical platforms including ligand binding assays (ELISA, ELISpot), Meso Scale Discovery, Luminex, NULISA-Argo HT, LC-MS/MS, qPCR/ddPCR, and LC-UV-Vis/Fluorescence. The company supports drug development across 12 therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, and rare diseases. KCAS Bio operates GLP/GCP compliant laboratories across four global locations (Kansas City, Philadelphia, Lyon, and Melbourne) with over 45 years of experience supporting more than 315 approved drugs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 315+ approved drugs supported through bioanalytical development
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Strategic Alliance Partner (Australia)coreOthersStrategic alliance in Australia through Melbourne laboratory location, providing global sponsors with comprehensive services including bioanalytical, biomarker, immunogenicity, cellular and molecular assay capabilities with clinical kitting and sample management.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Syneos Health: Clinical and bioanalytical CRO offering integrated drug development services including biomarker and bioanalytical testing. A broader incumbent competing for outsourced pharma/biotech programs.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global testing services conglomerate with bioanalytical, biomarker, and central lab capabilities across its pharma services division. Overlaps with Active Biomarkers' biomarker and immunogenicity offerings as part of a much larger services portfolio.
• Charles River Laboratories: Large-scale CRO with deep bioanalytical, safety assessment, and biomarker service lines under the Research Models & Drug Discovery segments. Broader incumbent competitor across the sponsor portfolio that Active Biomarkers targets.
• Labcorp / Covance: Global central lab and clinical development services provider with extensive bioanalytical and biomarker offerings. A major incumbent that sponsors benchmark niche CROs against, particularly on bioanalytical capacity and global reach.
• IQVIA Laboratories: Combines central lab, bioanalytical, and biomarker testing within IQVIA's clinical development platform. A broad incumbent peer with global reach that competes for multi-year sponsor outsourcing agreements.

Direct peers

• Celerion: Bioanalytical and PK/PD-focused CRO providing small/large molecule bioanalysis, biomarker assays, and clinical pharmacology services for pharma sponsors. Direct competitor in PK and biomarker services.
• KCAS Bio: Affiliated network operating bioanalytical and biomarker CRO services across four global labs (Kansas City, Philadelphia, Lyon, Melbourne). Active Biomarkers serves as the Lyon, France hub of this same network, sharing platform strategy, scientific staff, and GLP/GCP-compliant workflows.
• BioAgilytix: Specialty bioanalytical CRO focused on large molecule PK, immunogenicity, and biomarker assays using LBA, ELISA, MSD, and flow cytometry. Closely comparable to Active Biomarkers in offering menu and pharma/biotech sponsor base.
• Frontage Laboratories: Bioanalytical, PK, and biomarker CRO serving pharma and biotech with LC-MS/MS, LBA, and immunoassay capabilities. Comparable small-to-mid CRO competitor in bioanalytical development.
• Worldwide Clinical Trials: Mid-size CRO with bioanalytical and biomarker laboratory services supporting early- and late-phase trials. Comparable in scale and offering mix to the Active Biomarkers niche.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQ1LbAY37jI1CS_RWg2qI_Q
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/active-biomarkers
• Xx.com/ActiveBiomarker

Compliance2 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 Active Biomarkers