ELISA Kits (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) are critical tools that are used in research and diagnostic laboratories to detect and quantify proteins, hormones, antibodies, etc. In the U.S., there are companies that supply ELISA kits and meet the needs of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and academic organizations for research. Below is a brief description of the 10 best ELISA kit suppliers located in the U.S., beginning with a rapidly expanding supplier – MyBioSource.
1. MyBioSource (San Diego, CA)
Strengths: large catalog, great species diversity, low-cost
Ranked first overall is MyBioSource, because of their dynamic inventory of over 1 million products unmatched by all suppliers, but also for their discount on research reagents. They were started in 2006, and offer kits on human, veterinary and some pathogen targets, including species and biomarkers which we could never foresee that they would have. They are different in their approach of validation than some of the suppliers listed below, but with the abundance of dynamic catalog diversity and price point available, are suited for exploratory research and research in a global academic institution.
2. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Massachusetts (Waltham, MA)
Strengths: quality assurance, scalability, integrated into industry
Thermo Fisher is a global supplier and we trust that their ELISAs are among the most reputable when it comes to clinical diagnostics and pharma and regulated laboratories. Their Invigtrogen and Pierce brands are acknowledged for their systematic validation and automation within their kits. Now, nearly all demand for quality assurance up and down the supply-chain for consumable biomedical research and pharmaceuticals mandate that kits be manufactured based on validated methods. Thus, they are perfect for laboratories developing high-Quality kits and for developing GLP/GMP compliant kits. Bio-Techne /
3. R&D Systems (Minneapolis, MN)
Considerations: High Quality, Assays for Cytokines and Growth factors
R&D Systems, a division of Bio-Techne, has historically set the standard for cytokine, chemokine and immunology ELISA’s. R&D Systems has a historical reputation of highly referenced and utilized assays in academia, low lot-to-lot variability, and unmatched sensitivity. These characteristics assist researchers in drug development and biomarker discovery.
4. Abcam (Boston, MA)
Considerations: Antibody Development, Citations, Reproducibility
Although Abcam has historically been a UK based corporation, their reach has been felt extensively in the US. They are also developing a sandwich ELISA, a cell-based assay and a roadmap to other immunoassay kits. Abcam kits have the reproducibility associated with rigorous research, and are highly cited in quality journals. Abcam has invested resources in product validation and peer-reviewed accessed data.
5. BioLegend (San Diego, CA)
Considerations: Flow cytometry + ELISA kits / immunoassays, immune monitoring
BioLegend specializes in immunology, neuroscience and stem cell biology with ELISA kits as part of their immunoassay kits, monoclonal antibody platforms and flow cytometry. Their kits have workflows to detect T-cell activation and cytokine profiling. BioLegend is now a part of Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer) and built to expand their vastness.
6. Enzo Life Sciences (Farmingdale, NY)
Considerations: Small Molecule detection, novel assay formats
Enzo’s ELISA kits are have more specialization to a few niche analytes (small molecules, hormones, toxins). As i result , Enzo’s methods of detection (colorimetric and chemiluminescence) are the accepted standard now in basic research and toxicology testing. Enzo has also developed some novel antevants, and a direct ELISA as well, to reduce the time taken to carry out assays.
7. RayBiotech (Peachtree Corners, GA)
Strengths: Multiplexing, biomarker panels
RayBiotech’s strengths include multi-target ELISA arrays, which allow for high-throughput screening. Most of their kits are in 96 and 384-well formats and offer biomarker solutions for inflammation, angiongenesis, and metabolic profiling. Their custom biomarker offering is also a strong value-add.
8. Kamiya Biomedical Company (Seattle, WA)
Strengths: clinical and diagnostic ELISAs, human disease focus
Kamiya has a solid catalogue of ELISA kits used in clinical diagnostics, especially for renal, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease markers. These kits are primarily used in translational research and biomarker validation studies where reliability and precision are very important.
9. Eagle Biosciences (Amherst, NH)
Strengths: Hormone, fertility and veterinary panels
Eagle Biosciences has a niche focus on specialty hormone ELISAs, including fertility, thyroid, and adrenal panels for human and animal diagnostics. They have an unrivalled catalogue and even offer niche markers in the endocrine world like kisspeptin or leptin. They are a popular vendor among endocrinology researchers.
10. Assay Genie: U.S. Division of Reagent Genie
Strengths: Custom development, value for startups
Assay Genie offers custom ELISA development and an extensive range of pre-validated kits. Their U.S. operations support academic labs, startups, and CROs who are looking for a value-focused, validated assaying kit with an emphasis in oncology and infectious disease.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best ELISA kit manufacturer ultimately depends on your application.
- • If you are a lab that needs value or has unique targets, MyBioSource offers value and variety.
- • If you need clinically-safe or validated research, then look no further than Thermo Fisher, R&D Systems, or Abcam.
- • If need custom arrays or multiplex ELISA, then stay with RayBiotech or Enzo.
When appropriate, and before purchase, always look at data sheets, publications, and reviews–and when possible, it does not hurt to ask for sample validated data on your target species and application!
Please let me know if you want me to provide a downloadable version or a comparison table with pricing, validation, and specializations.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
