Element Biosciences vs Singular Genomics
Element Biosciences holds the stronger position because its installed base and revenue are growing quickly while Singular Genomics posts tiny sales and faces a rival that already controls about 95% of the market it wants to enter.
Element Biosciences
Makes AVITI benchtop DNA sequencers challenging Illumina's grip on genomics
Singular Genomics
Spatial biology and sequencing instrument maker, now a small private Deerfield-owned subsidiary
Dimension by dimension
| Dimension | Element Biosciences | Singular Genomics |
|---|---|---|
| Staying power of the core product | AVITI and VITARI sequencers brought in more than $25M in 2023 revenue with the installed base climbing from 40 to over 190 units in a year. | The G4X spatial sequencer generated only $1.08M in Q4 2023 revenue, and the company was taken private at $20 per share, below its $22 IPO price. |
| Exposure to AI absorbing the product | AI is unlikely to replace the need for physical sequencing instruments here either. | AI is unlikely to replace the need for physical spatial sequencing instruments. |
| How easily a giant could copy them | The avidity chemistry behind AVITI is viewed as harder to replicate, offering Element more protection if a larger competitor tries to copy the approach. | The underlying spatial sequencing technology is viewed as easier to replicate, leaving Singular more exposed if a larger competitor builds a similar system. |
| Pressure from rivals | Illumina remains dominant and competes on price and in court, but no named rival is currently documented taking Element's customers. | 10x Genomics holds roughly 95% of the spatial market Singular is trying to enter, and Illumina is also moving into spatial transcriptomics. |
| Financial footing | Annual revenue topped $25M with a fast-growing installed base, a stronger financial trajectory by the numbers given. | Revenue was just over $1M in a quarter, and the company's public listing ended with a take-private deal below its IPO price. |
| Overall competitive standing | Stronger chemistry protection, combined with a rapidly growing installed base and no named rival currently taking its customers, points to a comparatively steadier spot as assessed July 2026. | Weaker protection around its core technology, combined with 10x Genomics' roughly 95% share of the spatial market Singular is entering, points to a difficult spot as assessed July 2026. |
Questions people ask
- Singular Genomics vs Element Biosciences, which has stronger sales momentum?
- Element Biosciences reported more than $25M in 2023 revenue and grew its installed base from 40 to over 190 units in a year. Singular Genomics posted only $1.08M in Q4 2023 revenue, a much smaller scale of activity.
- Is Singular Genomics still a public company?
- No, Singular Genomics was taken private in a deal at $20.00 per share cash, closing below its 2021 IPO price of $22 per share. Element Biosciences' numbers given come from its own reporting rather than a public listing change.
- Which company faces tougher competition, Singular Genomics or Element Biosciences?
- Singular Genomics faces 10x Genomics, which holds about 95% of the spatial market, plus Illumina entering the same space. Element Biosciences competes against Illumina too, but no named rival is currently documented taking its customers.
- Which sequencer maker has better protection against being copied by a larger company?
- Element Biosciences is rated as only possible to copy, while Singular Genomics is rated as likely to be copied. This gives Element a firmer position on that specific measure.
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