Spear Bio

Spear Bio

Detects low-abundance biomarkers with qPCR assays

Overview

Spear Bio develops highly sensitive biomarker detection technology that can identify disease indicators even when present at very low levels, including single-digit protein counts. It uses a proprietary 2-factor authentication detection method with sub-microliter samples, enabling minimally invasive collection and testing on non-proprietary qPCR instruments for easy automation. The platform is designed to integrate into existing lab workflows, offering open-system compatibility and scalable testing for large groups. The goal is to provide labs and healthcare providers with precise, scalable biomarker detection to support broad screening and diagnostics.

About Spear Bio

Simplify's Rating
Why Spear Bio is rated
C+
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Biotechnology

Healthcare

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Series A

Total Funding

$52.3M

Headquarters

Woburn, Massachusetts

Founded

2021

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • qPCR market grows from $7.41B in 2026 to $15.95B by 2035 at 8.9% CAGR.
  • $45M Series A from Foresite Capital and Bio-Techne accelerates manufacturing in 2024.
  • Bio-Hermes-002 partnership with GAP validates biomarkers for Alzheimer's studies in 2026.

What critics are saying

  • Quanterix Simoa dominates Alzheimer's validation, erodes adoption in 6-12 months.
  • Bio-Techne acquires Spear Bio at depressed valuation in 12-24 months.
  • Cash from $45M Series A exhausts by mid-2027 without Series B.

What makes Spear Bio unique

  • SPEAR UltraDetect achieves attomolar sensitivity from 1μL plasma on standard qPCR instruments.
  • BD-pTau 217 assay delivers 100% quantifiability in healthy and diseased samples.
  • Wash-free format detects single-digit protein counts for early neurodegenerative diagnosis.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Funding

Total Funding

$52.3M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

4 Rounds

Series A funding typically happens when a startup has a product and some customers, and now needs funding to scale. This money is usually used to grow the team, expand marketing, and improve the product. Venture capital firms are frequently the main investors here.
Series A Funding Comparison
Above Average

Industry standards

$15M
$8.2M
Discord
$15M
Canva
$30M
Kalshi
$45M
Spear Bio

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Hybrid Work Options

Remote Work Options

401(k) Retirement Plan

Stock Options

Company Equity

Wellness Program

Mental Health Support

Conference Attendance Budget

Professional Development Budget

Phone/Internet Stipend

Home Office Stipend

Family Planning Benefits

Fertility Treatment Support

Adoption Assistance

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional Certification Support

Meal Benefits

Commuter Benefits

Childcare Support

Elder Care Support

Pet Insurance

Sabbatical Leave

Paid Holidays

Relocation Assistance

Performance Bonus

Profit Sharing

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Training Programs

Mentorship Program

Education allowance

Legal Services

Employee Discounts

Company Social Events

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

4%

2 year growth

11%
Precedence Research
Apr 9th, 2026
Spear Bio introduces new ultra-sensitive neurodegenerative assays and expands direct access at AD/PD 2026.

Spear Bio introduces new ultra-sensitive neurodegenerative assays and expands direct access at AD/PD 2026. Published: 09 Apr 2026 Spear Bio is an innovator in ultrasensitive protein biomarker detection. International Conference on Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases (AD/PD 2026) last week. The product coincides with the company's newly established direct-to-customer operation in North America and Europe, which becomes an important step that will streamline access to its technology for laboratories investigating neurodegenerative proteinopathies. First released SPEAR UltraDetect BD-pTau 217 Assay early adopters in the last month, remains the only brain-derived pTau 217 test to deliver 100% quantifiability in both healthy and diseased plasma samples. Operating in a homogeneous, wash-free format and requiring just 1 μL of diluted plasma, the assay achieves a functional lower limit of quantification of 25 fg/mL and an average intra-plate CV of 5.7%. These allow researchers and investigators to detect Alzheimer 's-related tau changes at the preclinical stage while preserving precious sample volume for longitudinal studies. According to Towards Healthcare, the qPCR instruments market is projected to experience significant growth, with estimates suggesting the market size will increase from USD 7.41 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 15.95 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2026 to 2035. Growth is driven by rising demand in clinical and research settings with the adoption of molecular diagnostics, which include multiplexing capabilities and automation of the digital health ecosystem, and enhance workflow efficiency. Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Spear Bio, Feng Xuan, said Its goal is to place the most sensitive protein biomarker tools in the hands of scientists tackling complex neurodegenerative diseases, empowering researchers to generate higher-quality data by expanding its assay portfolio and transitioning to direct customer engagement with greater efficiency and accelerating from discovery to clinical impact. About Spear Bio. Spear Bio, headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, is a biotechnology company pioneering wash-free ultrasensitive immunoassay technology. This platform delivers attomolar sensitivity from 1 μL of diluted sample and superior specificity of a homogeneous, wash-free format with readout on standard qPCR instruments. It is built on an ultra-performance approach that integrates sensitivity, specificity, precision, and assay robustness. Spear Bio also enables researchers and clinicians to reveal true biology with confidence. A recent report by Towards Healthcare highlights that the qPCR instruments market is witnessing growth due to widespread application of qPCR instruments in clinical diagnostics, genomic research, and oncology, with advanced automated and multiplexing capabilities with high throughput and real-time technology.

Business Wire
Mar 23rd, 2026
Spear Bio launches ultra-sensitive neurodegenerative assays and expands direct access in North America and Europe

Spear Bio unveiled three new ultrasensitive neurodegenerative immunoassays at the International Conference on Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases (AD/PD 2026), whilst launching direct-to-customer operations in North America and Europe. The Massachusetts-based company introduced brain-derived p-Tau 217, α-synuclein and phospho-Ser129-α-synuclein assays. The BD-pTau 217 test, released to early adopters last month, is the only brain-derived pTau 217 assay achieving 100% quantifiability in healthy and diseased plasma samples, requiring just 1 µL of diluted plasma. The new α-synuclein assays target Parkinson's disease and related synucleinopathies, quantifying monomeric and oligomeric synuclein species at low-femtogram concentrations using standard qPCR instruments. Founded in 2021, Spear Bio has raised undisclosed funding from investors to develop its wash-free ultrasensitive immunoassay technology.

Spear Bio
Jan 12th, 2026
Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation Announces Strategic Collaboration and Partnership with Spear Bio for the Transformative Bio-Hermes-002 Study

Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation announces strategic collaboration and partnership with Spear Bio for the transformative Bio-Hermes-002 study. Spear Bio joins collaborative study focused on new biomarkers designed to improve diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and dementias. WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - The Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation(R)(GAP) is pleased to welcome Spear Bio, a biotechnology company pioneering wash-free ultrasensitive immunoassay technology, to the Bio-Hermes-002 study. This collaboration will enhance this unique, observational platform study that compares blood-based and digital biomarkers across a broad range of clinical cognitive conditions, MRI and PET images as well as numerous races and ethnicities to generate data that may help predict, detect and diagnose Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The Bio-Hermes-002 study collects data reflecting the performance of each biomarker in the study, or combination of biomarkers, to assess, diagnose or predict the presence of a variety of pathologies associated with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias including amyloid and tau in the brain - hallmark characteristics of Alzheimer's disease. In Bio-Hermes-002, Spear Bio will provide results of blood-based biomarker analysis using its SPEAR UltraDetect(TM) assay platform that offers attomolar sensitivity from 1μL diluted sample and superior specificity of homogenous wash-free format in an effort to change the paradigm of early-stage disease diagnostics and monitoring for Bio-Hermes-002, building upon findings from Bio-Hermes-001. "We're proud to have Spear Bio as a valued partner in the Bio-Hermes-002 study," said John Dwyer, President of GAP. "Their technology platform is consistent with our goal to catalyze and scale early-stage disease diagnostics and monitoring, thereby transforming how we treat patients and conduct clinical trials for Alzheimer's and related dementias. By advancing biomarker detection, we hope to accelerate meaningful progress for individuals and families affected by these conditions."

Virtual Press Office
Jul 25th, 2025
Spear Bio Launches Next Generation Ultrasensitive Immunoassay Solution SPEAR UltraDetect(TM) to Transform Neurodegenerative Disease Research

WOBURN, Mass., July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Spear Bio, a biotechnology company pioneering homogeneous ultrasensitive immunoassay technology, today announced the commercial launch of its SPEAR UltraDetect(TM) immunoassay solution.

Spear Bio
Jul 15th, 2025
Spear Bio Announces Strategic Partnership with Bio-Techne to Accelerate the Deployment of its Next-generation Immunoassay Technology

Woburn, MA July 15, 2025 - Spear Bio, a biotechnology company pioneering homogeneous ultrasensitive immunoassay technology, is pleased to announce a strategic distribution partnership with Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH), a global leading provider of innovative reagents, instruments, and solutions for life-science research and clinical diagnostics.

Recently Posted Jobs

Sign up to get curated job recommendations

Spear Bio is Hiring for 6 Jobs on Simplify!

Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today

Don't see your dream role? Check out thousands of other roles on Simplify. Browse all jobs →