Emerald Cloud Laboratory

Emerald Cloud Lab (ECL) is a fully-automated, remote-access life-science laboratory. Scientists and organisations send samples to ECL’s facility and then design, execute and analyse wet-lab experiments entirely via a cloud-based software interface. The laboratory runs 24/7 with a wide array of instrumentation (over 200 models) covering biology, chemistry, cell culture, analytics and more. 

Who it serves & how

ECL supports a wide range of users—from startups and academic researchers to large biotech or pharmaceutical companies—looking to access cutting-edge laboratory infrastructure without building and managing a full facility. Key advantages:

• Hardware access: Instead of purchasing, installing and maintaining expensive instruments, users can tap into ECL’s infrastructure. 
• Software-driven workflows: Experiments are scripted and run reliably, with full metadata, reproducibility, and data capture via the “ECL Command Center”. 
• Scalability & flexibility: Because everything is remote and automated, labs can scale up or pivot workflows more easily than conventional wet-lab setups.

Key features & value

• Fully remote control of experiments: design online, send samples, get data.
• Broad instrumentation coverage: biology, chemistry, analytics (HPLC, GC, MS, flow cytometry, qPCR, etc.). 
• High-control, reproducible environment: automation reduces manual variability and increases throughput.
• Lower capital & infrastructure burden: users don’t need to build or operate the physical lab themselves. 
• Digital data capture, unified interface, strong provenance and metadata tracking.

Considerations & limitations

• Because the model depends on remote sample shipping and external infrastructure, there may be logistical delay or complexity (shipping, sample prep).
• For some very specialised workflows (e.g., highly custom synthesis, extremely large scale or proprietary equipment) the remote-lab model may not yet match a bespoke in-house facility.
• R&D teams must adapt to scripting experiments rather than physically handling them — this entails a change in workflow and mindset.
• Costs: Though the upfront capital burden is low, per-experiment cost may still need careful assessment versus in-house options depending on scale and frequency.

Other competitors in the market include Ginko Bioworks, Strateos, Kebotix and many others.