ThinkCyte

The company pioneered a proprietary technology called Ghost Cytometry, an AI-based, label-free method for cell analysis and sorting. This technology integrates advanced imaging, machine learning, and microfluidics to analyze cells at a high throughput. Ghost Cytometry works by applying structured illumination to cells, converting their structural information into one-dimensional waveforms that can be rapidly analyzed by AI to characterize and sort cells based on their morphology without the need for traditional fluorescent labels.

ThinkCyte's flagship product is the VisionSort platform, which combines the capabilities of conventional fluorescence flow cytometry with the label-free morphological profiling of Ghost Cytometry. This dual-mode system allows researchers to sort cells based on both known markers and physical characteristics, enabling the discovery of new cell populations. In 2025, the company announced the pre-commercial launch of VisionCyte, a cell analysis platform that uses high-resolution morphological profiling and AI to identify novel biomarkers for drug discovery. ThinkCyte also offers Celluminate cell tracking kits compatible with its platforms.

The company's business model involves selling these instruments to biopharmaceutical companies and academic research institutions. They also establish partnerships through three distinct platforms: the Disease Profiling Platform for co-developing diagnostic tools, the Biopharma Platform for collaboration on cellular therapies and drug discovery, and the AI Platform for expanding 'omics' data collection. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, ThinkCyte has expanded its U.S. operations with a headquarters in Redwood City, California, to support its global commercialization efforts. The company has secured significant funding, including a Series C round that brought its total to $91 million as of August 2024, to scale production and expand its global presence.