The CORTEX Story
one breath ahead.
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH is an innovative German medical technology manufacturer focused on cardiopulmonary diagnostics and performance analysis. As the specialist and world market leader in mobile cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), CORTEX develops solutions used in medicine, research, and elite sports. Since its founding in Leipzig in 1991 and the launch of the world's first telemetric mobile CPET system, the X1, in 1993, the company has developed and manufactured at the same site.
CORTEX in numbers
The specialist and world market leader in mobile CPET.
- 35
- Years of innovation since 1991
- 100%
- CPET specialist pure play CPET
- 70+
- Countries worldwide installed base
- 5+
- Patents & IP rights registered with the DPMA
- 250+
- Publications with CORTEX systems
Vision
We unlock human potentialthrough respiratoryand metabolic insight.
We deliver best-in-class respiratory and metabolic diagnostic solutions with actionable insights - for medical care, sports and longevity.
Every breath tells a story, every metabolic value reveals potential. We believe that precise, actionable insights keep people one breath ahead: the athlete chasing the final percent, the patient on the way back to health, and everyone who wants to stay healthy and capable for a long time.
Unmatched Metabolic Insight.
Made in Germany.
Milestones
Three decades of mobile CPET.
- 1991
Founded in Leipzig
CORTEX Biophysik GmbH is founded in Leipzig with the goal of taking cardiopulmonary performance diagnostics out of the lab and making breath gas analysis mobile.
- 1993
X1: the first mobile CPET system
With the X1, CORTEX launches the world's first telemetric, portable CPET system. The cornerstone of mobile CPET.
- 2007
Xtreme Everest
CORTEX systems accompany the altitude physiology studies of the Xtreme Everest project all the way to base camp.
- 2016
HERA Houston, Phase 1
The METALYZER® 3B delivers the exercise data for NASA's HERA simulation mission in Houston.
- 2018
METAMAX® on the ISS
ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst takes a METAMAX® 3B to the International Space Station (MetabolicSpace, TU Dresden).
- 2020
HERA Houston, Phase 2
Second deployment phase of the METALYZER® 3B in NASA's HERA program. Follow-up study on reproducibility.
- 2021
METAMAX® back on the ISS
ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer uses the METAMAX® 3B on a second ISS mission.
- 2024
C2in1 performance
Hybrid platform for lab precision plus mobile flexibility, winner of the Red Dot Design Award 2024.
Careers
Work on diagnostics that matter.
No open positions at the moment.
If you would like to work at CORTEX, you can still submit an open application. We will get in touch as soon as a suitable position opens up.
Open positions.
We accept applications only through the application portal. The portal and job listings are operated by our applicant management provider B-ITE (see privacy policy).
