For our October Member Spotlight, we talked to ADS Biotec, this year’s Governor’s Bioscience Award Winner.
Tell us about your company.
ADS Biotec, together with its parent company ADSTEC (Japan), is a global leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of automated instruments and consumables for cytogenetic, pathology, and research laboratories. Our technologies and services help customers increase productivity and throughput while maintaining exceptional quality and consistency.
With more than 20 years of experience, our team is recognized for advanced instrumentation, outstanding customer service, expert scientific support, and a highly knowledgeable sales force. With a company-wide commitment to quality and value, we serve laboratories and professionals engaged in cytogenetics, pathology, and molecular genetic analysis worldwide.
Why is Nebraska an important location for your company?
Nebraska has been home to ADS Biotec’s headquarters for over 20 years. The state’s central U.S. location makes it ideal for logistics, distribution, and efficiently serving customers nationwide.
Key advantages include:
- A reliable, educated, and hard-working workforce.
- Competitive business costs, favorable tax structures, and economic development support.
- Strong transportation infrastructure, including railroads, highways, and proximity to major freight routes.
This strategic location allows us to reach both coasts efficiently while benefiting from lower operating costs compared to larger coastal hubs.
What products/services do you offer?
ADS Biotec specializes in:
- Laboratory automation systems
- mRNA purification technologies
- Custom reagent manufacturing and packaging solutions
- Organoid culture media
We are a global leader in cytogenetics automation with our flagship HANABI lab automation systems sold to major hospitals and clinical labs worldwide. Our mRNA purification columns and buffers deliver high-purity mRNA—free of DNA and other RNA contaminants—for use in novel drug and vaccine development.
We also partner with global research groups and manufacturers to produce custom buffers (white-label), offer precision volume-filling services, and provide specialized packaging capabilities. Our patented packaging solutions ensure safe transport and storage of reagents with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and corrosive buffers.
Recently, we expanded into the organoid culture media market, providing high-quality solutions for organoid establishment and propagation.
Beyond Nebraska, how large is the company’s footprint?
ADS Biotec maintains a strong global presence, with our European subsidiary in the UK and a research and development center in Japan. We have development and support operations on three continents, and customers in more than 30 countries.
We continue to expand through international partnerships and distribution networks, ensuring worldwide market access.
How many employees do you have in Nebraska? Company-wide?
Our Omaha operations currently employ about 30 people, with more than 70 employees worldwide. The team continues to grow as we expand our instrumentation, buffer manufacturing, and custom reagent and kit packaging businesses.
How does the company support the bioscience industry?
ADS Biotec is one of Nebraska’s leading bioscience companies, with a focus on cytogenetics and molecular biology. We collaborate with local organizations such as the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Metropolitan Community College.
We support the bioscience industry by:
- Delivering training, education, and technical support for optimal use of advanced technologies.
- Offering automated systems, HPLC consumables, and reagents that streamline genetic analysis and purification.
- Providing custom buffer production, reagent formulation, and private-label manufacturing for biotechnology companies.
- Enhancing clinical and diagnostic capabilities through cytogenetic diagnostics, biomarker discovery, and companion diagnostics for personalized medicine.
- Ensuring compliance with ISO 13485, GMP, GLP, and CLIA standards.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing your industry today, and how does your company play a role in helping overcome those challenges?
Slow and inconsistent sample processing
Manual preparation is time-consuming and error prone. Our HANABI automated systems increase throughput, reduce errors, and standardize workflows across labs
Reproducibility and quality control
We provide validated HPLC consumables (DNASep®, RNASep™, OligoSep™) and calibration standards to ensure consistent, high-quality results across laboratories.
Supply chain disruption and custom manufacturing needs
ADS Biotec offers full-service custom buffer manufacturing and private-label solutions, including formulation, cleanroom production, labeling, and global distribution.
Regulatory compliance
We manufacture under ISO 13485 standards and provide CE-marked diagnostic kits and clinical-grade tools to support customers operating to FDA and international regulatory requirements.
Limited technical support and training
Our dedicated training programs, technical assistance, and maintenance services help customers maximize system performance and minimize downtime.
What is on the horizon for 2025–2026?
Looking ahead, ADS Biotec will:
- Expand our HANABI Avatar™ Organoid Growth Media line with the launch of an automated system for organoid plating and passaging.
- Expand our Omaha facility to increase capacity for buffer manufacturing and custom packaging operations.
- Participate in global trade shows and conferences to share technological advancements and highlight our automation instruments and consumables.
- Increase our distributor network and our presence on LinkedIn with regular updates on product launches, press releases, and industry events.