Bio-Techne Launches Simple Plex Ultra-Sensitive Assays on Ella Platform to Enable Femtogram-Level Detection of Neurological Biomarkers

Rhea-AI Summary

Bio-Techne (NASDAQ: TECH) launched Simple Plex Ultra-Sensitive Assays on the Ella automated benchtop platform on January 28, 2026, enabling femtogram-level detection of neurological biomarkers including NFL, GFAP, pTau 217, and Amyloid β (aa1-42).

The assays deliver improved analytical sensitivity, automated microfluidic workflow with under three-hour runtime, and build on Ella's extensive publication record to support earlier detection and reproducible quantification in neuroscience research. Assays are for Research Use Only.

Positive

• Femtogram-level analytical sensitivity for low-abundance biomarkers
• Validated for key neuro markers: NFL, GFAP, pTau 217, Amyloid β (aa1-42)
• Automated Ella workflow with under three-hour total runtime
• Supports earlier detection and reproducible quantification in neuroscience studies
• Builds on Ella's adoption: cited in 200+ neurology-focused publications and 1,000+ total publications

Negative

• Assays are labeled Research Use Only and are not cleared for clinical diagnostic use

Key Figures

Assay runtime: under three hours Neurology publications: more than 200 Total publications: more than 1,000 +5 more

8 metrics

Assay runtime under three hours Total runtime for Ella ultrasensitive assay workflow

Neurology publications more than 200 Neurology-focused publications citing Ella performance

Total publications more than 1,000 Peer-reviewed publications citing the Ella platform

Net sales $286.6 million Q1 FY2026 net sales vs $289.5 million prior year

Gross margin 65.6% Q1 FY2026 gross margin vs 63.2% prior year

Operating income $47.7 million Q1 FY2026 operating income vs $40.0 million prior year

Net earnings $38.2 million Q1 FY2026 net earnings reported

Diluted EPS $0.24 Q1 FY2026 diluted EPS vs $0.21 prior year

Market Reality Check

Price: $65.56 Vol: Volume 2,518,663 is 17% a...

normal vol

$65.56 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,518,663 is 17% above the 20-day average of 2,152,487. normal

Technical Price $68.23 is trading above the 200-day MA of $55.96, after a 0.89% daily gain.

Peers on Argus

TECH gained 0.89% with modestly elevated volume while key biotech peers (e.g., J...

TECH gained 0.89% with modestly elevated volume while key biotech peers (e.g., JAZZ, HALO, RVMD) also showed small positive moves between 0.06% and 1.72%, but no concentrated momentum appeared in scanners.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 20 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 20	Earnings call scheduled	Neutral	+1.3%	Set date and access details for Q2 FY2026 results call and webcast.
Dec 23	Conference presentation	Neutral	+0.5%	Planned CEO presentation at 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.
Dec 11	Strategic partnership	Positive	-0.9%	Collaboration with Wyss Center to advance automated 3D multiomics spatial biology.
Dec 09	Product launch	Positive	-2.4%	Launch of enhanced Leo System for high-throughput, multiplexed protein analysis.
Nov 25	Investor conferences	Neutral	+3.7%	Scheduled presentations at three early December 2025 healthcare investor conferences.

Pattern Detected

Recent tool and partnership launches have not consistently produced positive price reactions, with some product news seeing short-term weakness despite constructive fundamentals.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Bio‑Techne has focused on investor engagement, platform enhancements, and partnerships. It scheduled an earnings call for Feb 4, 2026 and presented at major conferences, which saw modest positive price reactions. A 3D multiomics partnership with the Wyss Center on Dec 11, 2025 and the enhanced Leo™ system launch on Dec 9, 2025 were strategic product and technology steps, though shares dipped after both. Today’s Ella ultrasensitive assay launch continues this tools-focused innovation path.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Bio‑Techne’s continued investment in neuro-focused proteomic tools, add...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Bio‑Techne’s continued investment in neuro-focused proteomic tools, adding femtogram-level detection and an under-three-hour automated workflow to the Ella platform. With Ella cited in over 1,000 publications and Q1 FY2026 gross margin at 65.6%, the launch extends an established franchise. Investors may monitor adoption across Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative research areas, while also tracking quarterly net sales of $286.6M and operating income of $47.7M for signals on commercial impact.

Key Terms

femtogram, biomarkers, immunoassay, microfluidic, +2 more

6 terms

femtogram medical

"Detects low-abundance proteins in blood at femtogram concentrations for earlier disease ins"

A femtogram is a unit of mass equal to one quadrillionth (10^-15) of a gram, used to describe extremely tiny amounts. Investors encounter the term mainly in biotech and diagnostics reporting, where femtogram-level measurements indicate how sensitive tests are, how precisely a drug or contaminant can be measured, and whether manufacturing or safety limits can be met — like measuring a single drop of water split into a trillion tiny specks.

biomarkers medical

"detection of Neurological Biomarkers Detects low-abundance proteins in blood at femtogram"

Biomarkers are measurable indicators found in the body, such as substances in blood or tissues, that reveal information about health or disease. For investors, they can signal how well a medical treatment is working or whether a disease is developing, helping to assess the potential success or risks of healthcare companies or innovations. Think of biomarkers as biological signals that provide clues about a person’s health status.

immunoassay medical

"Automated immunoassay workflow reduces variability; total runtime is under three hours"

An immunoassay is a laboratory test that uses molecules from the immune system (like antibodies) to find and measure specific substances — such as proteins, hormones, drugs or germs — in blood, saliva or other samples. Think of it like a lock-and-key or Velcro system that only sticks to the target item; accuracy, speed and cost of these tests matter to investors because they drive product demand, regulatory approval, reimbursement and a company’s revenue potential in diagnostics and biopharma markets.

microfluidic technical

"femtogram-level detection with a fully automated microfluidic platform, Ella enables precis"

Microfluidic describes technology that controls and moves extremely small amounts of liquids through tiny channels on a chip, like a miniature plumbing system for droplets. It matters to investors because it can cut the time, cost and materials needed for medical tests, drug discovery and small-scale manufacturing, potentially creating faster product development, lower production costs and new revenue opportunities for companies using the technology.

proteomic medical

"ultrasensitive proteomic assays with automated instrumentation that improves reproducibilit"

Proteomic describes something related to the large-scale study of proteins—the working parts inside cells that carry out functions and signal changes. For investors, proteomic work can reveal new drug targets, diagnostic tests or biomarkers that change a company’s potential revenue and risk profile; think of it like analyzing all ingredients in a recipe to find which ones can be improved or swapped to make a better product.

Amyloid β medical

"key biomarkers, including NFL, GFAP, pTau 217, and Amyloid β (aa1-42).This capability enabl"

Amyloid β is a small protein fragment that can clump together in the brain to form sticky plaques; think of it like lint that accumulates and interferes with normal brain wiring. It matters to investors because many drugs and diagnostics target these clumps—successful treatments, failed trials, or regulatory changes around amyloid β research can move biotech and pharmaceutical stocks and reshape expectations for future revenue.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Detects low-abundance proteins in blood at femtogram concentrations for earlier disease insights
• Supports research in Alzheimer's, ALS, MS, Parkinson's Disease, and Traumatic Brain Injury with validated biomarkers
• Automated immunoassay workflow reduces variability; total runtime is under three hours

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH), a global provider of life science tools, reagents, and diagnostic products, today announced the launch of Simple Plex Ultra-Sensitive Assays on the Ella automated benchtop platform.

Early detection of neurodegenerative disease biomarkers has historically been limited by their extremely low abundance in accessible biofluids such as blood. The new, ultrasensitive assays overcome this barrier by delivering step-change improvements on the Ella platform in analytical sensitivity and reliable quantification of key biomarkers, including NFL, GFAP, pTau 217, and Amyloid β (aa1-42).

This capability enables researchers to detect subtle, early biological changes that are often missed, accelerating insights into disease onset, progression, and treatment response. The assays build on Ella's proven performance, which is cited in more than 200 peer-reviewed neurology-focused publications and widely adopted in translational and clinical research, driving breakthrough diagnostic and therapeutic advances. 

"The introduction of Simple Plex Ultra-Sensitive assays on Ella significantly advances the analytical capabilities available for neurodegenerative disease research. By combining femtogram-level detection with a fully automated microfluidic platform, Ella enables precise quantification of low-abundance biomarkers that are often undetectable with conventional immunoassay methods," said Will Geist, President of Bio-Techne's Protein Sciences Segment. "This enhanced sensitivity and reproducibility support earlier characterization of disease-related changes and strengthen the reliability of high-throughput studies aimed at defining disease trajectories and identifying novel therapeutic targets."   

Ella's automated workflow reduces manual steps and variability, delivering ultrasensitive assay results with an overall runtime of under three hours. These assays are intended for Research Use Only.  

This launch strengthens Bio-Techne's immunoassay leadership by combining ultrasensitive proteomic assays with automated instrumentation that improves reproducibility, throughput, and data quality. The Ella platform has been cited in more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications. Bio-Techne's broad proteomic and spatial biology portfolio continues to drive breakthroughs in neuroscience research and advance precision medicine. For more information, visit www.bio-techne.com/ultrasensitive

About Bio-Techne  
Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH) is a global life sciences company providing innovative tools and bioactive reagents for the research and clinical diagnostic communities. With hundreds of thousands of products in its portfolio, Bio-Techne generated over $1.2 billion in net sales in fiscal 2025 and has approximately 3,100 employees worldwide. For more information on Bio-Techne and its brands, please visit www.biotechne.com and follow the Company on LinkedIn, YouTube, and X

Media Contacts  
Corporate Communications   
media.relations@biotechne.com 

David Clair  
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development 
david.clair@biotechne.com 

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SOURCE Bio-Techne Corporation

FAQ

What did Bio-Techne (TECH) announce on January 28, 2026 about Ella assays?

Bio-Techne announced Simple Plex Ultra-Sensitive Assays for the Ella platform enabling femtogram-level biomarker detection. According to the company, these assays quantify NFL, GFAP, pTau 217, and Amyloid β (aa1-42) with an automated workflow aimed at earlier research-stage detection.

How sensitive are the new Simple Plex Ultra-Sensitive assays on Ella (TECH)?

The assays achieve femtogram-level detection of low-abundance proteins, improving analytical sensitivity. According to the company, this enables reliable quantification of subtle biomarker changes often missed by conventional immunoassays in neuroscience research.

Which neurological biomarkers are measured by Bio-Techne's TECH Ella ultrasensitive assays?

The assays target NFL, GFAP, pTau 217, and Amyloid β (aa1-42) for neurodegenerative research. According to the company, these validated markers support studies in Alzheimer's, ALS, MS, Parkinson's, and traumatic brain injury.

What is the runtime and workflow advantage of Ella with the new TECH assays?

Ella's automated microfluidic workflow delivers ultrasensitive results with a total runtime of under three hours. According to the company, automation reduces manual steps and variability, improving throughput and reproducibility for high-volume studies.

Are Bio-Techne's new Simple Plex Ultra-Sensitive assays on Ella intended for clinical use (TECH)?

No; the assays are designated for Research Use Only and are not intended for clinical diagnostic use. According to the company, they are meant to support translational and academic research rather than regulated clinical testing.