In 1978, Esco was established in Singapore to provide clean air solutions for the high-tech, life sciences industries. Since then, Esco has earned a reputation in laboratories across the globe. Today, Esco continues to develop new life sciences tools and drive novel technologies through venture creation and innovation.
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1978 - 1997
Esco in its early years
Esco is founded in 1978 by Singaporean pharmacists Lim Lay Yew and Low Yae Foong. Esco was launched to manufacture clean room products for Singapore's then-booming electronics industry. In its early days, Esco manufactured the first laminar flow clean bench, designed and built its first microelectronics class 10,000 cleanroom for Siemens Corporation. The business expanded as Esco embarked on distribution to the pharmaceutical, life science, biotechnology and medical research markets in Malaysia and Indonesia with the establishment of Esco Micro (M) Sdn Bhd and PT Esco Bintan Indonesia.
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2000 - 2005
Transformation to a Life Sciences Tools Company
When the field shifted towards life sciences in 2000, Esco successfully adapted along with it. The company quickly transformed itself and earned a reputation for producing and providing laboratory and biological safety equipment. Esco became the first Asian manufacturer to earn EN 12469 certification for biological safety cabinets in 2001 and achieved its first NSF/ANSI certification in 2004. In 2005, Esco was invited by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration to participate in a joint committee to develop the National Standard for Biological Safety Cabinets.
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2006 - 2008
Expansion of Operations
To increase the sales of its biological safety cabinet to a global market, Esco expanded its operations to USA with the establishment of Esco Technologies, Inc as an integrated sales, marketing and distribution center. Offices were also set up in India, United Kingdom, China, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. This was followed by a global marketing program (Esco. World Class. Worldwide) to establish its presence as a global life sciences tool company. In 2007, annualized production exceeded 10,000 units.
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2009
Esco launches its Pharma Division
Following the success of its biological safety cabinets, Esco established Esco Pharma to expand its repertoire of life sciences tools to include Isotherm® ovens and incubators, Pharmacon™ downflow booths, Swift® MaxPro and MiniPro new generation PCR thermal cyclers, Labculture® In Vitro Fertilization Workstations, CelCulture® range of carbon dioxide incubator and Lexicon® range of Ultra-low Temperature Freezers.
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2012
Esco launches its Medical Division
Esco launched the Esco Medical Division providing world class ART/IVF solutions worldwide, with a focus on the new MIRI® Multi-room Embryo Incubator. As the IVF Medtech business unit of the Esco Group, Esco Medical provides innovative solutions to fertility clinics and laboratories.
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2013 - 2014
New generation life sciences tools
By applying new innovative technologies, Esco launched a new range of life sciences equipment which includes Airstream® G3 Class II (the greenest low noise biological safety cabinet in the world), eSafe® (technologically and ergonomically advanced TUV-NORD certified BSC), MIRI® GA gas and temperature validation unit, Fertilisafe™ IVF Workstation and the MIRI® Time-Lapse incubator.
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2015 - 2018
Esco ventures into Medtech and Biotechnology
In 2016, Esco Healthcare was launched as an umbrella to Esco Pharma, Esco TaPestle Rx, and Esco VacciXcell. The technologies developed from Esco Healthcare were cumulated to establish Esco Aster, the bioprocessing division of Esco Group that provides biomanufacturing of vaccines and biologics.
In the spirit of innovation, Esco has also invested RMB 100 million into a new 20,000m2 Innovation Center in Taicang, China together with the set-up of a venture office in Esco Beijing. Throughout the years, Esco has been awarded the Singapore Prestige Brand Award for 3 consecutive years and the Top Employer Brand Award, which is a testament to its values and the core mission to improve lives. -
2020 - 2021
Embarking on the Esco 3.0 Transformation
In 2020, Esco Group of Companies rebranded as Esco Lifesciences Group with the new tagline, “Improving Lives Through Science,” and introduced the laboratory division as Esco Scientific.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Esco ensured an uninterrupted supply of essential products and services, supporting global customers with thousands of biosafety cabinets, PCR cabinets, freezers, and other critical equipment. The company also launched the Trace, Test, and Treat Platform to aid pandemic relief efforts worldwide.
In 2021, we secured a USD 200 million Series A funding round co-led by Vivo Capital and Novo Holdings, with participation from GIC, EDBI, China Investment Corporation (CIC), and other leading investors. Building on this strong foundation, Esco embarks on our Esco 3.0 transformation, focusing on disciplined M&A, strengthening core capabilities, and expanding into new markets.
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2022 - 2023
Esco Lifesciences Strategic Partnerships, Acquisitions, and Product Expansion
Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions: Esco Lifesciences successfully forges strategic partnerships and executes strategic acquisitions, broadening its capabilities, expanding its product portfolio, and strengthening its position in the life sciences industry. These partnerships and acquisitions enhance Esco Lifesciences' market reach and enable the company to offer a more comprehensive range of solutions to its customers. Last 2022, Esco Lifesciences acquired Evidence Solutions and launched the Healthcare business unit in China.
Launch and Expansion of Innovative Product Lines: Esco Lifesciences unveils a groundbreaking line of innovative products that revolutionize the life sciences industry. These cutting-edge solutions include Touchscreen models of Biosafety Cabinets, Animal Research Workstations, and CO2 incubators that offer advanced features, improved efficiency, and increased accuracy, positioning Esco Lifesciences as a leader in the field.
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2024 - 2025
Delivering Sustainable Workflow Solutions to Advance Global Health
In 2024, Esco Lifesciences Group launched operations at its new 7,900 sqm manufacturing plant in Lithuania, enhancing production capacity and accelerating innovation for Esco Medical Technologies. Esco also acquired its distributor, Esco Korea Micro Ltd., establishing a new subsidiary to strengthen direct sales and service capabilities in the growing market, while driving digital transformation to improve operational efficiency.
In February 2025, Esco Lifesciences Group formed a strategic partnership with Allwin Medical Devices, a leading U.S. manufacturer of IVF consumables. With Esco’s majority stake investment in Allwin, Esco enhances its commitment to delivering sustainable workflow solutions and strengthens its manufacturing capabilities in India.
With these advancements, Esco Lifesciences remains dedicated to delivering sustainable technologies that foster a healthier, more equitable, and resilient future.