Olink

Olink is a Swedish biotechnology company that develops proteomics technologies for high-throughput measurement of proteins in biological samples. The company is best known for its proximity extension assay (PEA) technology, which enables multiplexed, highly specific protein detection from small volumes of samples.

PEA uses pairs of antibodies linked to DNA oligonucleotides. When both antibodies bind the same target protein, the attached DNA strands are brought into proximity and extended to form a unique DNA barcode. This barcode is quantified by quantitative PCR or sequencing readouts, allowing simultaneous measurement of many proteins in a single assay with low cross-reactivity and high specificity.

Olink offers targeted proteomics panels under the Olink Proteomics platform. These panels are designed to quantify hundreds of predefined proteins across biological pathways and are used for applications such as biomarker discovery, translational research, and clinical studies. Data from these panels are provided as Normalised Protein eXpression (NPX) values, a relative, log-based scale that facilitates comparisons across samples and studies after proper normalization. In addition to targeted panels, Olink has developed the Olink Explore platform, a discovery-scale option that broadens protein coverage and uses sequencing-based readouts.

Applications of Olink technologies span academia, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical research, including biomarker identification, patient stratification, pharmacodynamics, and cross-study comparisons. The company operates globally, offering products, services, and support to researchers worldwide.