What SignalChem Diagnostics does

SignalChem Diagnostics is a privately held Canadian molecular diagnostics company founded in 2018 as a subsidiary of SignalChem Lifesciences Corporation and headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia. The company applies protein engineering expertise to CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection, combining LAMP isothermal amplification with Cas-family nucleases (SpCas9, As/Lb/FnCas12a, AapCas12b, Lw/LbuCas13a, PsmCas13b, EiCsm6) for pathogen and sequence detection. Its flagship commercial offering is the CRISPOT Detection Device — a 500g handheld fluorescence reader that processes up to 8 samples per run at 25–70°C — together with detection kits for plant pathogens (e.g., Potato Virus Y, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium spp., Phytophthora infestans, Pseudomonas syringae, Pythium spp., Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), cannabis gender identification, and animal health applications. The firm holds ISO 13485:2016 certification and CE marking (July 2026) for CRISPOT, enabling regulated medical-device commercialization in CE-accepting markets.

Underlying the kits platform is a broad reagent catalog: research-grade and diagnostic-grade enzymes, glycerol-free lyophilization-ready formulations, recombinant allergens (Can f 6, Pru av 1, Pla a 4, Ory s 12, Cro s 2, Cyn d 12, Art an 4, Dau c 1), Cas reporters (ssDNA/RNA with FAM/Biotin labels), affinity resins (Protein A/G/L, streptavidin, Ni-NTA, Co-NTA, Ni-TED), and custom synthesis services. Revenue is generated through three channels: catalog e-commerce sales at unit prices typically ranging $100–$750 per pack, custom protein/oligo synthesis and assay development projects, and transaction-based global distribution partnerships. The company employs 14 people, distributes through a six-continent authorized distributor network plus direct online ordering with same-day North American fulfillment, and supports demand generation via its 2026 product catalog, a 15% first-order newsletter promotion, and peer-reviewed publication citations.

Name

SignalChem Diagnostics

Legal name

SignalChem Diagnostics

Website

https://signalchemdx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SignalChem Diagnostics is a Canadian molecular diagnostics company that develops CRISPR-LAMP detection kits, a portable CRISPOT fluorescence device, recombinant Cas enzymes, and immunodiagnostic reagents for plant pathology, cannabis, animal health, and IVD-manufacturer customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Molecular Diagnostics Reagents

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes) (HLAGAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

CRISPR & Functional Genomics Screening Platforms (pooled/arrayed screens, perturb-seq) (HLAAAIAG), Biomarker Assay & Reagent Development (LDT/IVD assay design, antibodies/standards/controls) (HLAAAMAL), Clinical Chemistry & Immunoassay Laboratories (HLAFAMAB)

Keywords

• Molecular diagnostics reagents
• CRISPR-based detection
• Recombinant diagnostic enzymes
• Isothermal amplification kits
• Plant pathogen detection

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Diagnostic Reagents and Kits: Sale of molecular diagnostics reagents including CRISPR enzymes, isothermal amplification reagents, clinical chemistry enzymes, allergens, antibodies, and diagnostic kits for plant pathogens, cannabis testing, and animal health applications. Products sold through catalog with standard pack sizes and bulk options.
2. Custom Synthesis and R&D Services: Custom protein synthesis, DNA/RNA oligo synthesis, catalog product modifications, assay development, and cell culture services. Provides revenue through bespoke project-based engagements for specialized molecular diagnostics needs.
3. Global Distribution Partnerships: Revenue generated through worldwide authorized distribution network across North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, and Africa. Distributors provide local customer service and ordering support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SignalChem Diagnostics designs, manufactures, and commercializes diagnostic reagents, kits, and enzymes built on proprietary protein engineering and CRISPR-based molecular detection. Its catalog spans recombinant CRISPR proteins, diagnostic-grade and research-grade enzymes, immunodiagnostic allergens and antibodies, isothermal amplification and NGS reagents, and the CRISPOT portable detection device. The company also operates a custom synthesis and R&D services arm for IVD manufacturers, agricultural/cannabis testing, and life sciences research.

Product overview

SignalChem Diagnostics offers a comprehensive portfolio of molecular diagnostic products and reagents, organized as a platform-plus-kits architecture. The core offering centers on the CRISPOT Detection Device, a handheld fluorescent nucleic acid detection instrument, which powers a suite of CRISPR-based and isothermal amplification detection kits including Cannabis Gender ID Kits, Plant Pathogen Detection Kits (for pathogens such as Potato Virus Y, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium species, Phytophthora infestans, Pseudomonas syringae, and Pythium species), and Animal Pathogen Detection Kits. Supporting this platform is an extensive reagent portfolio spanning CRISPR enzymes (SpCas9, AsCas12a, LbCas12a, FnCas12a, AapCas12b, LwCas13a, LbuCas13a, PsmCas13b), Cas reporters (ssDNA and ssRNA FAM/Biotin reporters), enzymes (DNA polymerases, reverse transcriptases, RNase inhibitors, PNGase F, UDG), immunodiagnostic allergens (recombinant allergens from various sources), and affinity proteins/resins (Protein A/G/L, streptavidin, Ni-NTA, Co-NTA, Ni-TED). The company also provides custom R&D services including custom oligo synthesis, protein production, and assay development. Products are manufactured under ISO 13485 quality management systems with global distribution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CRISPOT: Handheld electronic instrument for fluorescent nucleic acid detection, enabling rapid, on-site molecular diagnostics without specialized laboratory equipment.
• CRISPOT Detection Kits
• Cannabis Gender ID Kit

Products and services

• CRISPOT Detection Device Portable, CE-marked fluorescence reader used together with CRISPOT-compatible diagnostic kits to enable on-site, lab-free CRISPR-based pathogen detection. Designed for plant, animal, and cannabis testing users.
• Cannabis Gender ID Kit CRISPOT-powered kit for early sex determination of cannabis plants in the cultivation environment, eliminating the need to wait for flowering phenotypes. Targeted at cannabis growers and licensed producers.
• HLVd Cannabis qPCR Kit qPCR-based detection kit for Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd) in cannabis plant material, intended for diagnostic labs and cannabis testing facilities.
• Plant Pathogen Detection Kits CRISPR-based and molecular assay kits for the detection of plant pathogens, used with the CRISPOT device or standard lab workflows. Targeted at plant pathology labs, nurseries, and agricultural testing operations.
• Animal Pathogen Detection Kits Molecular diagnostic kits for the detection of pathogens in animal samples, used by veterinary diagnostic labs and animal health testing facilities.
• Recombinant CRISPR Proteins (SpCas9, Cas12a, Cas13 and variants) Recombinant CRISPR/Cas enzyme products including SpCas9, Cas12a (AsCas12a, LbCas12a, enAsCas12a), Cas13, and engineered variants (e.g., NLS-tagged, glycerol-free). Sold as standalone RUO catalog items to molecular biology researchers and diagnostic developers.
• Cas Reporters (ssDNA and ssRNA Fluorescent Reporters) Single-stranded DNA and RNA fluorescent reporters (e.g., Cas12 ssDNA Reporter, Cas13 ssRNA Reporter) used as substrates in CRISPR-based detection reactions to produce a measurable fluorescence signal.
• Clinical Chemistry Enzymes (Diagnostic-Grade and Research-Grade) Recombinant enzymes manufactured under ISO 13485:2016 quality systems for use in clinical chemistry and in vitro diagnostic test manufacturing, supplied at both diagnostic-grade and research-grade specifications.
• Recombinant Allergens (Immunodiagnostic) Recombinant allergen proteins (e.g., Can f 6, Pru av 1, Pol d 5, Der f 1, Der p 1, Cyn d 1, Cry j 1, Alt a 1, Pen m 1, etc.) for use in allergy diagnostics and immunology research.
• Immunodiagnostic Antibodies and Kits Antibodies and assay kits targeting immunology markers, used by immunology and immunodiagnostic researchers and kit manufacturers.
• Isothermal Amplification Reagents Recombinant enzymes and reagents for isothermal amplification methods such as RPA and RCA, used as core components in molecular diagnostic workflows.
• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Reagents Enzymes and reagents (e.g., polymerase, ligase, RNase H, T7 Endonuclease I, Klenow fragment) for next-generation sequencing library preparation and ancillary workflows.
• In Vitro Transcription (GMP-Grade) Enzymes, Kits and Reagents GMP-grade enzymes, kits, and supporting reagents for in vitro transcription (IVT) of mRNA, supplied to vaccine, mRNA therapeutics, and research customers.
• General IVD Reagents, Affinity Proteins & Resins, and Glycerol-Free Enzymes General-purpose recombinant enzymes, glycerol-free enzyme formulations, affinity proteins, and affinity resins supplied to IVD manufacturers and research customers for downstream assay development.
• Custom Synthesis and R&D Services Fee-for-service custom protein engineering, synthesis, and R&D project work (including custom gRNA services) offered to IVD manufacturers, agricultural/animal diagnostics companies, and academic collaborators.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Global Distribution Partner NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSignalChem Diagnostics has established a worldwide authorized distribution network covering North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, and Africa. Distribution partners provide local customer service, product information, ordering support, and streamlined purchasing experiences. Partners receive technical training, product support, marketing and sales enablement resources, and collaborative growth opportunities in emerging diagnostic markets.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) — LOEWE Biochem: LOEWE Biochem is a German-based supplier of plant pathogen diagnostic kits and ELISA-based detection reagents for agricultural applications. It is a regional peer competing with SignalChem's Plant Pathogen Detection Kits in European agricultural markets.

Broad incumbents

• BioFire Diagnostics (bioMérieux): BioFire, a bioMérieux subsidiary, is a broad incumbent in molecular diagnostics with FilmArray point-of-care PCR systems. While focused on human clinical diagnostics rather than plant pathogens, it represents the established point-of-need molecular detection model that CRISPOT also pursues.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad is a broad incumbent in life science research and clinical diagnostics, offering PCR reagents, immunoassay kits, and protein purification tools. It competes with SignalChem's diagnostic reagents, allergens, and affinity chromatography resins as part of a comprehensive catalog.
• Promega Corporation: Promega is a broad life science tools manufacturer offering enzymes, master mixes, and reagents for molecular diagnostics and IVD development. It competes with SignalChem's clinical chemistry and molecular diagnostics reagent catalog as part of a much wider product portfolio.

Direct peers

• Sherlock Biosciences: Sherlock Biosciences commercializes CRISPR-Dx (SHERLOCK) and synthetic biology-based molecular diagnostics for infectious disease and at-home testing. It is a direct peer in CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection technology with comparable assay architectures (Cas13, Cas12) and target applications in pathogen detection.
• Mammoth Biosciences: Mammoth Biosciences is a CRISPR-based diagnostics company developing Cas12 and Cas13-powered detection platforms (including DETECTR) for human health, agriculture, and at-home testing. It directly competes with SignalChem Diagnostics in CRISPR molecular diagnostics, with overlapping enzyme platforms and pathogen detection applications.
• Agdia: Agdia is a specialized provider of plant pathogen diagnostic test kits including immunoassay and molecular kits for crop diseases. It is a direct peer in SignalChem's plant pathogen detection kit portfolio targeting the same agricultural diagnostic customers.
• New England Biolabs: NEB is a leading manufacturer of recombinant enzymes, CRISPR reagents, and molecular biology tools including Cas9 variants and isothermal amplification enzymes. It is a direct peer in the enzyme/reagent catalog business that constitutes SignalChem's core reagent portfolio.
• Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT): IDT, a Danaher subsidiary, manufactures CRISPR nucleases, Cas9/Cas12 reagents, custom oligos, and molecular diagnostics enzymes. It directly competes with SignalChem's CRISPR enzyme catalog and custom oligo/protein synthesis services.

Emerging players

• Caspr Biotech: Caspr Biotech develops CRISPR-based paper-strip diagnostics for agricultural and human pathogen detection, with a similar ultra-rapid, field-deployable technology approach to SignalChem's CRISPOT platform. It is an emerging peer in decentralized CRISPR diagnostics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/signalchemdx

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 SignalChem Diagnostics