SBH Sciences: Cell-Based Assays and Biomarker Analysis for Drug Discovery Teams
A Natick, Massachusetts CRO whose assays have contributed to seven new chemical entities, now with its catalog on the Cypher AI Marketplace.
By Cypher AI ·
WHAT IS SBH SCIENCES?
SBH Sciences is a preclinical contract research organization in Natick, Massachusetts, that runs cell-based bioassays, immunoassays and biomarker analysis for drug discovery teams. Raphael Nir founded SBH in 1997 and leads it as president and chief scientific officer. SBH describes itself as the world's leading provider of cytokine cell-based assays, and says it has developed more than 360 cell-based assays and works with nearly 400 human cancer cell lines.
SBH also has a record inside drug programs. According to SBH, its work has contributed to the advancement of seven new chemical entities, five of which reached clinical trials, and one FDA-approved drug. A testimonial on SBH's site from Karyopharm Therapeutics' founding president calls SBH "a cornerstone in the development of XPOVIO (selinexor)," Karyopharm's approved treatment for multiple myeloma. As of October 2026, SBH's catalog of six services is live on the Cypher AI Marketplace.
WHY DOES ASSAY DATA MATTER SO MUCH FOR A DRUG PROGRAM?
Because assay data decides which molecules move forward, its quality shapes everything after it. Across 2011 to 2020, only about 7.9% of drug candidates that entered Phase I went on to FDA approval, according to BIO's clinical success-rate report. Many of the go and no-go calls before that start with cell-based results that show whether a molecule does what it was designed to do.
Yaoyu Yang, Cypher AI's founder, put it this way when SBH joined: "I've watched enough programs to know how much of the outcome rides on whoever generates the assay data, and depth like this takes decades to build."
Take a startup testing a cytokine-modulating antibody. It might need a cytokine release assay in PBMCs, a Luminex panel on the supernatants and an ELISA to confirm the lead analyte. SBH's biomarker department, led by chief diagnostic officer Adam Nir, covers ELISA development, multiplex analysis and automated Western work, and SBH says it supported more than 40 biotech companies with biomarker analysis in 2024.
WHAT CAN YOU ORDER FROM SBH SCIENCES ON CYPHER AI?
As of October 2026, SBH lists six services on the Cypher AI Marketplace, each with an estimated turnaround that starts at two weeks. Automated Western blot on the ProteinSimple Jess system is $100 per capillary, including assay execution and data analysis, with the customer supplying the primary antibody. ELISA protein quantification is $1,500 per 96-well plate, Ella automated immunoassays are $800 per 16-sample cartridge, and Luminex multiplex cytokine profiling is $2,000 for panels of up to 100 analytes. Those three immunoassay prices are labor fees, and kit, cartridge and reagent costs are extra.
SBH's in-vitro bioassays cover cytokine release, proliferation, migration, cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, T-cell activation, PBMC stimulation, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and ADCC. They are $1,500 per 96-well plate for up to four compounds on one cell line, with any ELISA readout extra. Custom assay development, for cell-based or immunoassay work, is priced by quote.
WHO IS SBH SCIENCES A GOOD FIT FOR?
SBH is likely a good fit for biotech teams moving antibody, cytokine or small-molecule candidates through preclinical work that need functional readouts and biomarker data from a lab that runs these assays routinely. Teams with a new target or an unusual sample type can start with the custom assay development listing. Teams that need GLP studies should confirm scope and quality documentation with SBH before ordering.
HOW DO YOU ORDER FROM SBH SCIENCES ON CYPHER AI?
You can browse SBH's listings at cypherbio.ai/services without an account. To place an order, create a free Cypher AI account. Five of SBH's six services have a listed price, and custom assay development is quoted. Kit and reagent costs vary by analyte and sample type, so check the final cost with SBH when you order, and you pay SBH directly by purchase order, card or invoice.
An order you create from a Cypher AI project records the project, ELN entry and LIMS samples it came from, so the samples you send stay connected to the study they belong to. SBH's data files arrive on the order, where you can add them to the project.