Scale Biosciences
AcquiredFounded 2020 Β· 10 employees on LinkedIn Β· 1 known investors
Scale Biosciences develops patented single-cell analysis technology that enables researchers to conduct massively parallelized sequencing at reduced cost. The company serves biomedical research labs seeking to study complex cell biology at scale.
Also known as Scale Bio Β· Scale Biosciences, Inc. Β· ScaleBio
Founders & leadership
Scale Biosciences was founded in 2020 by Garry Nolan, Frank Steemers, Jay Shendure, and Cole Trapnell.
Investors Β· 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Scale Biosciences (Scale Bio) develops single cell analysis products based on combinatorial indexing and a massively parallel tagging approach the company calls Quantum Barcoding. The method labels each transcript within a cell while allowing samples to be pooled during processing, using a 96-well plate containing thousands of microwells, so that millions of cells can be sequenced in one experiment without additional specialized instrumentation.
The product line includes the QuantumScale Single Cell RNA Sequencing Kit and a Single Cell Methylation Kit, which the company describes as the first commercial solution for detecting single cell DNA methylation states. Marketed capabilities include running from tens to thousands of conditions, samples or timepoints and from hundreds to millions of cells; sample fixation and multiplexing to simplify sample collection; and an instrument-free workflow with minimal hands-on time that is compatible with automation. Scale Bio also maintains open-source bioinformatics pipelines on GitHub, including Nextflow workflows for single cell RNA (ScaleRna), methylation (ScaleMethyl), CRISPR (ScaleCRISPR), and a tag toolkit.
On 7 August 2025, 10x Genomics announced a definitive agreement to acquire Scale Biosciences for $30 million in upfront cash and stock plus undisclosed contingent milestone payments, with plans to integrate Scale's inventions into its Chromium platform. 10x stated that key Scale products would remain on the market and that it would continue supporting Scale customers and initiatives such as the 100 Million Cell Challenge and the Billion Cells Project.
Founding story
Scale Biosciences was founded by a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technologists with expertise in next generation sequencing, genomics and bioinformatics. Its scientific founders are Garry Nolan (Stanford University), Jay Shendure and Cole Trapnell (University of Washington), and Frank Steemers, who also served as the company's chief scientific officer; their work in combinatorial indexing and quantum barcoding underpins the company's platform.
Business model
Scale Bio sells consumable kits and reagents for single cell sequencing that run on researchers' existing sequencing infrastructure, with no dedicated instrument required. Supporting software (open-source analysis workflows), protocols and technical documentation are provided alongside the kits.
Revenue is derived from sales of single cell sequencing consumable kits (RNA, methylation, protein and CRISPR applications) rather than instrument sales.
Traction
Began shipping RNA analysis kits in 2025 aiming at a cost below one cent per cell; launched a single cell protein solution with Revvity's BioLegend in 2024; participates in the 100 Million Cell Challenge and the Billion Cells Project; named a Fierce Medtech Fierce 15 winner; maintains six public GitHub repositories with active commit activity.
Latest developments
10x Genomics announced on 7 August 2025 that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Scale Biosciences for $30 million upfront in cash and stock plus milestone-based contingent consideration. Scale's scientific co-founders β Garry Nolan, Jay Shendure, Cole Trapnell and Frank Steemers β are joining 10x as advisors. Scale's website now states the company is part of 10x Genomics.
βΈFull profile β market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
Described by 10x Genomics as a leader in scalable single cell analysis, with a combinatorial indexing-based platform positioned as an alternative to droplet-based single cell systems. The company was a Fierce Medtech Fierce 15 winner prior to the acquisition.
Unlike droplet-based single cell systems, Scale Bio's combinatorial indexing approach requires no dedicated instrument, supports pooling and multiplexing of large numbers of samples, and targets very low per-cell cost (under one cent per cell for its RNA kits). Its Single Cell Methylation Kit is described as the first commercial solution for detecting single cell DNA methylation states.
Technology
The core technology is combinatorial indexing combined with Quantum Barcoding, a massively parallel tagging method that labels each transcript in a cell while allowing samples to be pooled during processing. A 96-well plate with thousands of microwells enables sequencing of millions of cells per run without specialized equipment. Sample fixation and multiplexing support flexible experimental designs, and open-source Nextflow-based pipelines handle downstream RNA, methylation and CRISPR data analysis.
Go-to-market
Products are sold directly to research laboratories as kits, supported by published protocols, technical notes, datasets and bioinformatics workflows, and promoted through participation in large-scale community research initiatives such as the 100 Million Cell Challenge and the Billion Cells Project via the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. A co-marketed single cell protein solution was launched with Revvity's BioLegend business in 2024.
Academic, translational and biopharmaceutical researchers conducting single cell RNA, epigenetic (methylation), protein and CRISPR studies at large scale.
Geography
Sources describe support for a global customer base of researchers worldwide but do not specify Scale Bio's own office locations; acquirer 10x Genomics is based in Pleasanton, California.
History
The company was founded by a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technologists with backgrounds in next generation sequencing, genomics and bioinformatics. In 2024 it partnered with Revvity's BioLegend business to launch a single cell protein solution for identifying rare cell subtypes. Earlier in 2025 it began shipping RNA analysis kits targeting a cost of less than one cent per cell, and it was named a Fierce Medtech Fierce 15 winner. On 7 August 2025, 10x Genomics announced a definitive agreement to acquire the company.
Risks & controversies
The sources do not report controversies specific to Scale Biosciences. The acquirer noted a difficult life-science funding environment, U.S. NIH funding cuts and tariff-related pressure on China revenue as headwinds affecting the sequencing sector.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources β announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed β not independently audited.
Competitors Β· 3
by search overlap
Companies competing with Scale Biosciences for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Timeline Β· 5
launches, deals, and filings10x Genomics (Nasdaq: TXG) announced a definitive agreement to acquire Scale Biosciences, Inc. for $30 million in upfront cash and stock plus contingent milestone payments, to expand its Chromium platform. Key Scale products remain on the market and Scale's scientific founders join 10x as advisors.
$30M source β
Garry Nolan (Stanford), Jay Shendure and Cole Trapnell (University of Washington), and chief scientific officer Frank Steemers are set to join 10x Genomics as advisors following the acquisition.
Scale Bio started shipping its RNA analysis kits, which aim to cost less than one cent per cell.
Scale Bio partnered with Revvity's BioLegend business to launch a single cell protein solution to help identify rare cell subtypes.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
βΈResearch sources Β· 8
primary sources listed
- Scale Biosciencesscale.bio Β· web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Scale Biosciences do?
- Single cell sequencing kit maker using combinatorial indexing and quantum barcoding; acquired by 10x Genomics in 2025.
- Who founded Scale Biosciences?
- Scale Biosciences was founded by Garry Nolan, Frank Steemers, Jay Shendure, Cole Trapnell in 2020.
- Who are Scale Biosciences's investors?
- Scale Biosciences's investors include ARCH Venture Partners.