How it works · The differentiator

Capability scores, explained

Transparent — and never the whole story

Every company and consultant is ranked on explicit, published factors — recomputed from their real profile and identical on every plan. Here's exactly how that works, and just as importantly, what a score is not.

A fixed, published formula

Each marketplace has its own scoring engines — a headline score plus sub-scores — computed by explicit weightings over the attributes on a company's profile.

You can always see why

Because the factors are published, you can trace exactly why a partner ranks where it does. Nothing hides behind a proprietary black box.

Straight from the real profile

Scores come from each company's listed attributes and update when the profile does. They're identical on every plan and can't be bought.

Deterministic · rules-basedNo AI in this scoreThis score is computed by a fixed formula from listed attributes — no model produces or adjusts it. SterileAtlas does have AI features elsewhere, each labelled where it appears; one may quote a score, none can change one.Identical on every plan

What “deterministic, rules-based” means

Deterministic and rules-based means the score comes from a fixed, transparent formula over listed attributes — the same inputs always produce the same score. It is not AI: there is no model, no learning, and no hidden weighting.

Example: how a CDMO is scored

Each marketplace has its own engines. For the CDMO exchange, the headline score is built from six sub-scores:

Manufacturing breadth

Range of modalities and dose forms the site can make.

Advanced-therapy strength

Depth in cell, gene, viral-vector and CAR-T work.

Fill-finish capacity

Vial / syringe / isolator lines and aseptic capability.

Quality & compliance

cGMP, Annex 1 and data-integrity posture.

Regulatory reach

Which agencies' markets the site can supply.

Capacity & scale

Annual capacity, suites and facility footprint.

What a score is not

Capability scores are a directional starting point, not a verdict. A lower score does not disqualify a company or consultant, and no decision should rest on the score alone — always contact the company directly to confirm the specifics for your project.

A score reflects only what a company has listed — a smaller or newer firm may be an outstanding fit and simply have a thinner profile. Use scores to shortlist and compare, then talk to the company to confirm the specifics that matter to you.