Molnár-Institute for Applied Chromatography

What Molnár-Institute for Applied Chromatography does

Molnár-Institute for Applied Chromatography is a Berlin-based, privately held software company founded in 1981 by Dr. Imre Molnár that develops and commercializes DryLab, the industry-standard software for High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method development, optimization, and modeling. DryLab is built on the Solvophobic Theory developed by Csaba Horváth and applies Design of Experiments principles to predict chromatograms from as few as 2-12 input experiments, claiming greater than 99% retention time prediction accuracy and enabling pharmaceutical scientists to reduce method development cycles from weeks or months to days. The product is delivered as a modular platform including the Basic engine, Peak Tracking, 3D Cube (Method Operable Design Region), Robustness testing, Knowledge Management for GMP-compliant documentation, Design Space Comparison, and an Automation Module that integrates natively with Waters Empower CDS (since 2022) and Agilent OpenLab CDS (since March 2026). The software is registered with the FDA and CDC and its methodology is aligned with ICH Q14 and Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) standards.

The company serves primarily pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Roche, Moderna, Sanofi, Bayer, BMS, Gilead, Vertex, Boehringer Ingelheim, AbbVie, Merck, J&J, Daiichi-Sankyo, TEVA among named customers), with additional exposure to biotechnology, life sciences research, and food testing segments. Revenue is generated through four streams: one-time perpetual software licenses for the DryLab platform and its modules, recurring Service and Support Packages, professional training courses (WebEx, 3-day UHPLC, 2-day HPLC, biopolymers specialization), and contract method development services. The company employs 5 people, sells primarily through direct enterprise sales from Berlin, and supplements distribution via an international dealer network covering 12+ countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company has been independently founder-owned since its inception with no disclosed external funding, and operates from a single Berlin headquarters.

Name

Molnár-Institute for Applied Chromatography

Legal name

Molnár-Institute for Applied Chromatography

Website

https://molnar-institute.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Berlin-based founder-led software company developing DryLab, the 30-year industry-standard HPLC method development and optimization platform sold on a perpetual-license basis to global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life-science customers with quote-based enterprise pricing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chromatography method development software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (51321)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance (CLIA/CAP/ISO) for Labs (HLACAMAH)

Keywords

• HPLC method development
• Chromatography modeling software
• Design space modeling
• Analytical method optimization
• Pharmaceutical method development

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses (DryLab): Sale of DryLab software licenses for HPLC method development and optimization. The software is available in multiple modules including Basic, Peak Tracking, Gradient Editor, 3D Cube, Robustness, Knowledge Management, and Automation modules.
2. Training Courses: Online and in-person training courses on DryLab application for HPLC method development. Includes WebEx training (3 sessions of 2 hours each), 3-day intensive courses for UHPLC, 2-day courses for HPLC, and specialized 2-day courses for biopolymer separation.
3. Method Development Services: Contract method development services where company develops state-of-the-art DryLab methods from customer-provided input runs, delivered with peak tracking, model development, robustness proof, and comprehensive method report.
4. Software Support and Updates: Service and Support Package including software updates, online consultations, expert advice on QbD documentation, and customer hotline/IT support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Molnár-Institute develops and licenses DryLab, a modular software suite for High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method development, optimization, and predictive modeling. From 2–12 input experiments, DryLab builds multi-dimensional resolution maps (Design Spaces) with over 99% retention-time prediction accuracy, and offers modules for peak tracking, 3D Cube optimization, robustness testing, GMP-compliant documentation, and CDS automation. The software is complemented by paid training courses, contract method-development services, and a recurring Software Service and Support Package.

Product overview

Molnár-Institute offers DryLab, a unified HPLC method development and optimization software platform with a modular architecture. The core DryLab Basic platform provides foundational chromatographic modeling with peak tracking, resolution mapping, and GMP-compliant reporting. Add-on modules extend functionality including the 3D Cube Module for multidimensional optimization, Gradient Editor for method optimization, ColumnMatch for column selection, Robustness Module for tolerance testing, Knowledge Management Module for documentation, Automation Module for CDS integration with Waters Empower and Agilent OpenLab, and Design Space Comparison Module for method comparison. The software supports multiple chromatographic modes including reversed-phase, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, normal phase, and HILIC. The company also provides professional services including training courses (WebEx-based and intensive multi-day in-person), method development services, and a Service and Support Package.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DryLab: Revolutionary HPLC method development and optimization software for analytical Design Space Modeling. The worldwide industry standard for over 30 years, enabling chromatographers to create fast, robust, high-quality methods with >99% retention time prediction accuracy.

Products and services

• DryLab Basic Core HPLC method development and optimization software providing peak tracking, resolution mapping, and GMP-compliant reporting capabilities. It is the foundation product of the DryLab suite and is bought by analytical chemists in pharmaceutical and biotech organizations.
• DryLab Peak Tracking Module Automated peak identification and assignment module that uses peak areas and molecular masses to track peaks across systematic DryLab experiments, with color-coded likelihood indicators. Sold to chromatographers running multi-run experimental designs.
• DryLab Gradient Editor Module Module that optimizes gradient elution parameters (gradient time, start/end %B, gradient steps) to shorten run times and increase resolution inside the DryLab environment.
• DryLab ColumnMatch Module Selectivity comparison module for HPLC columns, using hydrophobicity, steric selectivity, hydrogen-bond acidity/basicity and ion-exchange properties to identify equivalent columns and support column interchangeability.
• DryLab 3D Cube Module Module that extends 2D resolution maps into a third dimension, providing Method Operable Design Region (MODR) visualization for three parameters simultaneously plus additional column and instrument parameters.
• DryLab Robustness Module Module that computes Out-of-Specification results from small fluctuations in method parameters (pH, ternary composition, flow rate, start/end %B) to test the tolerance limits of selected working points.
• DryLab Knowledge Management Module Reporting and documentation tool for DryLab that produces comprehensive GMP-compliant method reports with step-by-step justification of method criteria and choices, aligned with Quality by Design.
• DryLab Empower Automation Module Automation module that connects DryLab to the Waters Empower chromatography data system, enabling one-click creation of complete SampleSets, automated data acquisition for DryLab modeling, and direct retrieval of processed results from the Empower database. Sold to labs operating Waters Empower.
• DryLab OpenLab Automation Module Automation module that extends DryLab's CDS connectivity to the Agilent OpenLab chromatography data system, enabling one-click SampleSet creation, automated acquisition of input and verification experiments, and retrieval of processed results from the OpenLab database.
• DryLab Design Space Comparison Module Module that compares multiple DryLab models generated under different conditions (for example, varying stationary phases) to identify column equivalence and common method conditions.
• DryLab4 Software Platform The current generation of the DryLab software platform, integrating 3D resolution maps, peak tracking with molecular masses, robustness testing, GMP-compliant method reporting, and the Design Space Comparison Module.
• DryLab WebEx Training Online interactive training course (3 sessions × 2 hours) covering HPLC/UHPLC method development with DryLab4, progressing from 1D model calculations to multi-dimensional 3D optimizations.
• Intensive 3-Day UHPLC Training Course Intensive 3-day in-person UHPLC method modeling training course covering DryLab4, multi-dimensional model optimizations, robust method development, and Quality by Design.
• Intensive 2-Day HPLC Training Course Intensive 2-day in-person HPLC/UHPLC method development training using DryLab4, covering 1D through 3D model optimizations and method robustness.
• Biopolymers Method Development Training Specialized 2-day training course on HPLC/UHPLC method development for therapeutic proteins including monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates using reversed-phase, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, size-exclusion and HILIC modes.
• DryLab Method Development Service Contract method development service where customers send input runs and receive state-of-the-art DryLab methods, including peak tracking, model development, robustness proof, and a comprehensive method report.
• DryLab Service and Support Package Recurring service and support package for DryLab customers that includes software updates, online consultations, expert advice on QbD documentation and a customer hotline with IT support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Method development time reduced by >50%
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CycloLab Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2023Strategic collaboration opening new possibilities for reversed-phase modeling of cyclodextrins. Joint scientific study on RP-HPLC application for separating regioisomers of Di-OH-SGM, applied in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and materials science.
• University of PannoniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2022Strategic cooperation between Molnár-Institute Berlin and Professor András Guttman at University of Pannonia of Veszprém. University granted access to DryLab software for academic research including Covid-19 research using DryLab/Empower-Automation Module with Waters ACQUITY UPLC I-Class and QDa MS.
• ShimadzucoreTechnology or IntegrationListed as partner on company website. Shimadzu is a major analytical instrument manufacturer. Connection enables integration of DryLab with Shimadzu instruments for automated UHPLC method development.
• Waters CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationDryLab Automation Module connects seamlessly to Waters Empower CDS platform. Enables automated creation of sample sets, data acquisition for modeling, and processing of results directly from CDS database.
• Agilent TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationDryLab Automation Module extended to Agilent OpenLab CDS system (March 2026). Enables automated sample set creation and data acquisition for users of OpenLab chromatography data system.
• Egis PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner on company website. Dr. Róbert Kormány of Budapest-based Egis Pharmaceuticals collaborated on research studies including buffer system comparisons published in Journal of Chromatography A.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Agilent Technologies: Major analytical instrument manufacturer whose OpenLab CDS DryLab Automation Module now integrates with (March 2026). A broad incumbent in HPLC instruments and chromatography software; both channel partner and potential platform competitor.
• Sciex: SCIEX (a Danaher operating company) provides mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography instruments plus chromatography data systems to pharma/biopharma QC and development labs — overlapping end customers with DryLab though not a direct HPLC modeling competitor.
• Shimadzu: Major HPLC and analytical instrument manufacturer listed as both a partner and a DryLab dealer in Japan. Provides broad chromatography solutions to the same pharma QC/QA customer base.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Dominant life sciences instruments and lab informatics provider (including Chromeleon CDS). Operates in the same pharma analytical workflow where DryLab is deployed, with a much broader portfolio and substantially greater resources.
• Waters Corporation: Major HPLC/UPLC instrument manufacturer and provider of the Empower chromatography data system, which DryLab's Automation Module integrates with. Both a critical channel partner and a broad incumbent with overlapping CDS and informatics capabilities.

Emerging players

• JMP (SAS): Statistical discovery and Design of Experiments (DoE) software used in HPLC method development and QbD workflows. An adjacent tool rather than a direct HPLC-modeling competitor, but partially overlaps in AQbD/QbD method optimization use cases.

Direct peers

• ChromSword: Estonian developer of HPLC method development and optimization software (ChromSword Auto). Directly comparable to DryLab in serving the same chromatography method modeling niche with predictive, design-of-experiments-driven software.
• ACD/Labs: Toronto-based scientific software vendor offering chromatography and spectroscopy software tools (ACD/Spectrus, AutoChrom). Directly competes with DryLab in HPLC/LC method development and analytical data handling for pharma and chemistry customers.
• S-Matrix (Unchained Labs): S-Matrix developed Fusion QbD and related Design-of-Experiments/QbD software for HPLC method development and is now part of Unchained Labs. Closely overlaps DryLab's QbD/AQbD value proposition for pharmaceutical method development.

Others

• Dotmatics: Lab informatics platform spanning ELN, LIMS, and scientific data management for pharma R&D and QC. Adjacent to DryLab in lab informatics but addresses a broader workflow scope — a potential consolidator/partner rather than a direct HPLC modeling competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/molnar-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Molnár-Institute for Applied Chromatography