Benefits of leasing bioprocessing equipment
Leasing as a financing option is an attractive choice for all hardware-focused customers – from innovative start-ups and academic labs to fast-growing biotechs and established large pharma. It gives you access to state-of-the-art Sartorius equipment without high upfront investment, helping you preserve cash for your core science and business.
Through third-party leasing providers in the US and approved leasing partners in other regions, we offer flexible models that enable you to adapt your setup to evolving project demands, capacity needs, and business priorities.
Lease cutting-edge equipment for every step of bioproduction
Leasing is available for selected hardware products and solutions for biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing.
Bioreactor technologies
We offer a complete scalable bioreactor platform from cell and strain line development to commercial manufacturing.
Filtration solutions
Ensure product purity with our extensive filtration and purification portfolio.
Fluid management
With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing single-use solutions, we are your best choice for running your future manufacturing facilities.
Purification systems
Optimize bioprocess purification with scalable, efficient chromatography systems and consumables.
Analytic systems
Collect real-time data for advanced process control strategies, which will ultimately improve the economy and safety of your process.
Advanced therapy systems
Process development services for cell therapies and biological products, from preclinical development to GMP manufacturing for clinical phases.
The Power of Leasing
Benefits of bioprocess equipment leasing
- Reduces up-front costs
- Can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses, as single monthly payments cover equipment, installation, insurance, and licenses
- Helps retain capital for strategic investments or research and development while minimizing liquidity shocks
- Supports access to up-to-date equipment
- End-of-lease options depend on the lease terms
- Supports equipment planning over the agreed lease period
- Improves budget predictability through consistent monthly payments
- Leasing may qualify as OPEX, potentially reducing the need for CAPEX approval
- Reduces the risks related to technical obsolescence and equipment breakage
- Depending on the lease terms, reduces exposure to residual value risk and long-term ownership commitments
Strategic advantages of leasing bioprocessing technology
The scenario below shows how leasing equipment with an assumed cost of $1 M can help laboratory managers and CFOs to access advanced technology, while preserving capital and supporting cash flow planning. All figures are for illustrative purposes only. (Disclaimer)
A typical case study
| Equipment cost | $1,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Revenue from equipment | $360,000 per annum |
| Lease term | 5 years or 60 months |
| Annual lease payment | $243,317 |
| Lease rate | 7.99% |
| Corporate tax rate | 25% |
| Company ROIC | 10% |
| Annual depreciation (tax calculation) | $100,000 |
With assumed monthly revenue of $30,000 and monthly lease payments of $20,276, the debt coverage ratio is 1.48X. This may support a more predictable financial plan, showing that leasing can be a good choice even if preserving cash flow is important. If the equipment earns higher revenue, leasing may become even more beneficial.
Retain your capital with leasing: Supporting OPEX-based budgeting
Leasing can help businesses reduce immediate cash shortages, supporting cash flow positive from the start.
It allows saved cash to be used for potential additional returns. Both leasing and buying equipment add value but come with costs — leasing fees (shown in yellow) or initial investment minus depreciation (shown in gray). After five years, the financial benefits of both options balance out and reach a break-even point, all based on the given frame conditions. Leasing helps businesses stay cash-positive and financially flexible from day one.
Insights on biopharma leasing versus traditional equipment ownership
Five-year view
Over five years, leasing offers a clear advantage for all metrics compared to purchasing equipment for $1 M, based on the stated assumptions. Leasing can also help reduce exposure to unpredictable maintenance and servicing costs.
Ten-year view
Over ten years, leasing can offer a significant financial advantage over most of the lifecycle of the equipment. Purchasing only becomes more beneficial than leasing in years nine and ten — long after the equipment has likely become outdated. Leasing provides added flexibility to upgrade earlier, subject to the lease terms.
Snapshots of Success
See how other leading companies are using leasing to expand their product development and production capabilities. These examples show how leasing can help simplify investment decisions, ease budget constraints, and support high standards of quality and efficiency.
Biopharmaceutical industry | Europe
Challenge: A biopharmaceutical manufacturer needed a benchtop chromatography system to support individualized process development for next-generation biotherapies while preserving cash flow.
Solution: Leasing was used as a cash-flow strategy, enabling access to advanced purification technology through predictable payments.
Key result: A Resolute® BioSMB benchtop system with a total equipment value of €306,000 was leased over 60 months, supporting advanced process development.
Viral vector producer | US
Challenge: Savings were sought by a viral vector producer while acquiring new biotechnology equipment.
Solution: A leasing strategy helped provide access to essential equipment while reducing upfront costs.
Key result: The company preserved capital expenditure valued at $1.02M USD, facilitating sustainable innovation.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bioprocess Equipment Financing
Leasing a single-use bioreactor can help preserve cash by falling under OPEX (operational expenditure), whereas buying requires CAPEX (capital expenditure) that can tie up budget resources. Leasing can offer faster access to technology, potentially reduced maintenance costs, and the flexibility to upgrade at the end of the term to avoid equipment obsolescence.
An efficient way to scale bioprocessing capacity is by integrating flexible leasing options for modular, single-use platforms like the Biostat STR® or Ambr® 250. Leasing can help CDMOs and startups to add systems only when projects scale, supporting faster time-to-market while reducing the need for large upfront investments in stainless-steel facilities.
Traditional procurement can involve long lead times, high upfront investment and fixed ownership. Leasing as financing option may help customers access innovative Sartorius technologies faster. Sartorius scale-up solutions support consistent process development from 15 mL to 2,000 L, helping customers scale with confidence.
Depending on the leasing arrangement, service options may be included for an initial period or handled separately.
References & Notes
Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is provided as a general example only and does not constitute a guarantee of any profit, savings, or specific outcome. Actual results may differ significantly depending on individual settings, strategies, local regulations, market conditions, and other circumstances. Sartorius does not assume responsibility for decisions made based on this information. Users should consult qualified financial advisors and review their own business and compliance requirements before making any leasing or purchasing decisions.