After comprehensive studies in the US (University of California at San Diego) and Europe (Technical University of Munich), Dr. Thorsten Klein founded Postnova Analytics GmbH, following the successful completion of his Ph.D. in 1997. He was driven by the idea of building a company with a powerful and innovative product portfolio made for scientists working in the area of biotechnology, polymer and particle research. The founder's vision was to create a company that offered complete analytical solutions for complex analytical tasks from a single source.

Initially, Postnova introduced the world's first totally integrated automatic and complete Asymmetrical Flow-FFF (AF4) system. Postnova attained its next milestone at the end of 1998 when it presented the first FFF system with on-line coupling to DLS detection for high resolution and fast particle and polymer characterization. These series of innovations were followed up in 1999 by the introduction of Postnova´s first own modular laser multi-detector, incorporating static and dynamic laser light scattering. Later on Postnova invented the world’s first High Temperature Asymmetric Flow FFF and also the first commercial mid Temperature Asymmetric Flow FFF. Work on further new and innovative analytical technologies continues.

Originally Postnova was based in downtown Munich, Germany, in the Munich Center of Technology.  Within a short time, the need for a greater number of employees and a bigger application lab resulted in a move to new and advanced facilities in Eresing, Germany, into a commercial park west of Germany’s largest biotech region Munich-Martinsried. Due to the need for further expansion, Postnova moved again in 2003 into its all new headquarters which are now based in the City of Landsberg in southern Germany.