What Sartorius Polyplus does

Polyplus-transfection S.A., operating as Sartorius Polyplus following its 2023 acquisition by Sartorius AG, is a French life sciences company headquartered in Illkirch-Graffenstaden with approximately 110 employees. The company develops and supplies nucleic acid delivery solutions, principally transfection reagents, lipid nanoparticle components, and viral vector production chemistries, used by academic researchers, biotech developers, and biopharmaceutical manufacturers across cell and gene therapy, RNA and DNA therapeutics, protein production, and life sciences research applications.

The product portfolio spans cationic polymer-based reagents (PEIpro, in vivo-jetPEI, jetPRIME, INTERFERin), viral vector production platforms (FectoVIR-AAV, FectoVIR-LV, pPLUS AAV-Helper), lipid nanoparticle screening libraries (LipidBrick), and in vivo RNA delivery systems (in vivo-jetRNA+). Manufacturing is conducted under GMP-compliant quality systems, and the company's chemistries are cited in more than 6,000 peer-reviewed publications, an indicator of adoption in regulated and research workflows. Two integrated subsidiaries, Xpress Biologics (Belgium) and Bio Elpida (France), extend the offering into custom plasmid design, GMP plasmid manufacturing, and protein production services.

Commercially, Polyplus generates revenue through catalog reagent sales (per-unit and licensing), custom plasmid and protein manufacturing services under pay-as-you-go and project-based pricing, and a global distribution network of more than 20 channel partners that extends reach across multiple continents beyond direct sales. The acquisition by Sartorius AG in 2023 positioned Polyplus within a larger bioprocessing platform, providing global commercial infrastructure and capital for product and geographic expansion.

Name

Sartorius Polyplus

Legal name

Polyplus-transfection S.A.

Website

https://polyplus-sartorius.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sartorius Polyplus is a French life sciences company supplying nucleic acid delivery reagents, lipid nanoparticle components, and viral vector production chemistries, plus GMP plasmid and protein manufacturing services, to gene therapy, RNA therapeutic, and protein production customers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioprocessing Reagents

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Non-viral Gene Delivery & Gene Therapy (LNP, polymers, electroporation, physical methods) (HLAAACAC)

Keywords

• Transfection reagents
• Plasmid manufacturing services
• Lipid nanoparticle delivery
• Gene therapy reagents
• Nucleic acid delivery

Headquarters

HQ city

Illkirch-Graffenstaden

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Transfection Reagent Sales: Sale of proprietary transfection reagents including FectoVIR, PEIpro, INTERFERin, jetPRIME, in vivo-jetPEI, and others for nucleic acid delivery in research and commercial applications.
2. Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Services: Contract manufacturing services for plasmid DNA at multiple quality grades (Discovery, Research, GMP Principles, GMP) and scales (microgram to 20g batches).
3. Plasmid Engineering Services: Custom plasmid design and engineering services using e-Zyvec technology, including tailor-made plasmids and easy pre-designed plasmids.
4. Sequencing Services: Whole plasmid sequencing services using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology including Oxford Nanopore and Illumina platforms.
5. Protein Manufacturing Services: Process development to manufacturing of proteins at Research, HQ and GMP grade.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels23 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Polyplus-transfection S.A. (operating as Sartorius Polyplus) develops and manufactures nucleic acid delivery solutions, including proprietary transfection reagents based on cationic polymers (PEI) and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), for in vitro and in vivo delivery of DNA, siRNA, miRNA, mRNA, and oligonucleotides. The company complements its reagent portfolio with custom plasmid engineering and contract plasmid and protein manufacturing services spanning Discovery, Research, GMP Principles and full GMP grades, anchored by its proprietary e-Zyvec DNA assembly platform.

Product overview

Sartorius Polyplus offers a comprehensive portfolio of transfection and delivery reagents for nucleic acid-based therapies and biologics manufacturing. The product line includes transfection reagents categorized by application: viral vector manufacturing (FectoVIR®-AAV, FectoVIR®-LV, PEIpro®), in vivo delivery (in vivo-jetPEI®, in vivo-jetRNA®+), protein production (FectoPRO®, FectoCHO® Expression System), and life science research (jetOPTIMUS®, jetPRIME®, jetMESSENGER®, jetPEI®, PULSin®, INTERFERin®). Supporting services include plasmid engineering (using e-Zyvec® technology), whole plasmid sequencing (using Oxford Nanopore Technology), and plasmid manufacturing at Discovery, Research, GMP Principles, and GMP grades. LipidBrick® Library provides cationic lipids for LNP formulation. The portfolio serves Cell and Gene Therapy, RNA/DNA Therapeutics, Protein Production, and Life Sciences applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FectoVIR®: Transfection reagents for viral vector manufacturing (AAV and LV)
• PEIpro®
• in vivo-jetPEI®
• in vivo-jetRNA®+
• LipidBrick®
• jetPRIME®
• jetOPTIMUS®
• INTERFERin®
• FectoPRO®
• FectoCHO®
• pPLUS®
• e-Zyvec®

Products and services

• FectoVIR®-AAV transfection reagent Synthetic transfection reagent engineered for industrial-scale production of recombinant AAV (rAAV) in suspension and adherent HEK-293 derivative cell systems, with higher rAAV titers, improved scalability and de-risked manufacturing; available in GMP grade for cell and gene therapy manufacturers.
• FectoVIR®-LV transfection reagent Next-generation transfection reagent designed to improve lentiviral vector productivity in HEK-293 cell systems for small and large-scale suspension manufacturing, supporting cost-effective LV production for cell and gene therapy applications.
• PEIpro® transfection reagent PEI-based transfection reagent designed for small to large scale viral vector production, positioned as the leading reagent in its category for gene therapy manufacturing.
• in vivo-jetPEI® delivery reagent Ready-to-use cationic polymer reagent for in vivo delivery of DNA, siRNA, shRNA and miRNA across animal models; supported by over 600 peer-reviewed publications and used for functional studies, oncology research and vaccination.
• in vivo-jetRNA®+ delivery reagent Ready-to-use lipid-based nanoparticle (LNP) solution for in vivo mRNA delivery, enabling non-viral mRNA delivery for nucleic acid-based therapy and vaccine research.
• LipidBrick® Library Range of proprietary cationic lipids dedicated to the formulation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics.
• LipidBrick® Cell Ready Ready-to-use lipid-based nanoparticle solution tailored for the ex vivo transfection of immune cells and stem cells for gene-modified cell therapy applications such as CAR-T manufacturing.
• FectoPRO® transfection reagent Transfection reagent specifically designed for enhanced transient gene expression (TGE) in suspension CHO and HEK-293 cells, delivering high protein yields with low DNA consumption for cost-efficient protein production.
• FectoCHO® Expression System CHO expression system combining a chemically defined medium (FectoCHO CD Expression medium) with FectoPRO transfection reagent for enhanced transient protein production in CHO cells.
• jetOPTIMUS® DNA transfection reagent Innovative cationic nanotechnology reagent designed to improve DNA transfection efficiency in hard-to-transfect mammalian cells for life science research applications.
• jetPRIME® DNA/siRNA transfection reagent Versatile transfection reagent providing high DNA transfection efficiency and excellent gene silencing for routine life science research applications.
• jetMESSENGER® mRNA transfection reagent

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% gene silencing efficiency with as little as 1 nM siRNA using INTERFERin
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GeneX India BiosciencecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2014Indian distributor based in Chennai serving government research institutes, molecular diagnostic labs, biopharmaceutical industries, and biotech R&D centers. Sales offices in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune.
• BiognosticaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2012Portuguese distributor since 2012 based in Alfragide near Lisbon, serving hospitals, universities, research centers, and industry.
• NanodiagnostikaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2010Baltic distributor established in 2010 covering Lithuania and Latvia. Specializes in life science and molecular diagnostics products.
• BariacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2010Czech and Slovak distributor since 2010 with team of 19 specialists covering cellular biology, immunology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology. Offers 24-hour delivery.
• WestburgcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2008Netherlands-based distributor covering Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg since 2008. Established in 1984 with reputation for integrity, innovation, performance, enthusiasm, and teamwork.
• Veritas biotecnologiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2008Brazilian distributor since 2008 based in Sao Paulo. Team of 8 with PhD or engineering degrees. Covers major cities including Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Sao Carlos, Campinas, Salvador, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre. Offers 24/72-hour delivery.
• TamarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2008Israeli distributor since 2008 with team of 15 specialists. Established 1972 with motto Life Science - its in our DNA. Offers 24-hour delivery service.
• OzymecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2005French specialist distributor covering France, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Mauritania. Team of 40+ with PhD and engineering degrees. Offers 24-hour delivery for in-stock products and strong technical support.
• EuroClonecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2004Italian specialist distributor since 2004 covering all of Italy. Marketing and sales team of over 20 people with capillary sales network covering entire Italian territory.
• Chemie Brunschwig AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2004Swiss distributor based in Basel employing 20 people. Established 1948, distributes over 1,000,000 products to R&D, analysis, and production laboratories.
• FunakoshicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2001Japanese distributor since 2001 operating in major cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Niigata, Sendai, Yokohama, and Kitakyushu. Leading distributor of research reagents and instruments for life science researchers.
• BionicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2001South Korean distributor since 2001. 20-year history with ISO9001 certification. In 2016 established joint-venture with BBI Lifescience becoming one of the biggest life science companies in Korea.
• Bio-Genesis TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1998Taiwan distributor since 1998 serving genomic/proteomic applications, cell culture, and cell-based assays. Based in Taipei City.
• Axil ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1998Singapore distributor since 1998 with distinctive culture of Strong Technical Support, Responsive and Reliable Customer Care, and Rapid Turnaround Time. Full circle experience in Sales, Distribution, Manufacturing and Sales Channel Management.
• Lab Supplies ScientificminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1997Greek distributor covering Greece, Cyprus, and Malta since 1997. ISO 9001:2008 certified company with strong sales team having academic backgrounds.
• BioNordika GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1986Nordic/Baltic distributor group founded 1986-1989 covering Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Estonia, and Finland. Approximately 50 employees with offices in all five countries. Mission: Science where You Are.
• VWR InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal laboratory supply distributor and channel partner for Polyplus products in North America (US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico since 2009) and Europe (UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Finland, Portugal, Hungary, Ireland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark since 2004). Provides product choice, operational excellence, and differentiated services to improve customer productivity from research to production.
• Bizcom JapanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese trading and consulting company engaged in sales and marketing of research reagents, services, and equipment to the life science research market.
• Shanghai Titan ScientificminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChinese distributor developing and manufacturing scientific reagents including high-end reagents, general reagents, and analytical reagents.
• Nanjing Fcmacs BiotechnologyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChinese distributor based in Nanjing serving Jiangsu province.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VectorBuilder: VectorBuilder offers custom plasmid design, viral vector production, and gene synthesis services, overlapping with Polyplus's e-Zyvec plasmid engineering, pPLUS AAV helpers, and broader gene delivery offerings.
• Mirus Bio: Mirus Bio develops and manufactures transfection reagents (e.g., TransIT series) for DNA and RNA delivery into mammalian cells, directly competing with Polyplus's jetPRIME, jetOPTIMUS, and FectoPRO product lines across research and bioprocessing applications.
• GenScript: GenScript provides gene synthesis, plasmid preparation, and protein manufacturing services that overlap with Polyplus's plasmid engineering, plasmid manufacturing, and protein manufacturing service offerings.
• Aldevron (Danaher): Aldevron is a leading plasmid DNA and protein manufacturer serving cell and gene therapy developers, directly comparable to Polyplus's GMP plasmid manufacturing service and protein manufacturing service lines.
• Polysciences: Polysciences manufactures PEI-based transfection reagents and other polymeric delivery products, directly comparable to Polyplus's PEIpro and jetPEI product lines for viral vector and protein production customers.

Broad incumbents

• Cytiva: Cytiva (formerly part of GE Healthcare Life Sciences) supplies bioreactors, filtration, and cell culture media for bioprocessing customers alongside Polyplus's FectoCHO and FectoPRO reagents used in similar upstream workflows.
• Lonza: Lonza operates a large-scale CDMO business that includes microbial and mammalian-based plasmid and viral vector manufacturing, directly competing with Polyplus's plasmid manufacturing service and overlapping in the gene therapy CDMO space.
• Bio-Techne: Bio-Techne offers Targefect and other transfection reagents alongside a much broader portfolio of proteins, antibodies, and GMP reagents, competing with Polyplus across research and bioprocessing customers.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Life Sciences / Lipofectamine): Thermo Fisher's Lipofectamine franchise is the dominant transfection reagent portfolio globally and competes head-to-head with Polyplus's jet-series and Fecto products across academic and biopharma research customers.

Emerging players

• MaxCyte: MaxCyte provides electroporation-based transfection technology for cell engineering including gene-modified cell therapies, overlapping with Polyplus's LipidBrick Cell Ready and broader cell therapy manufacturing reagent offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/polyplus-sartorius

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 Sartorius Polyplus