Nanotein Technologies
Nanotein Technologies develops protein-nanoparticle cell activation reagents (NanoSpark™ STEM-T, EVEN-T, GROW-NK) for ex vivo CAR-T and NK cell therapy manufacturing, serving biopharmaceutical developers and academic researchers with soluble, GMP-grade products distributed globally via Sartorius.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersBerkeley, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Nanotein Technologies does
Nanotein Technologies is a Berkeley, California-based biotechnology company founded in 2019 by Curtis Hodge (CEO) and Greg Hura (CSO), commercializing protein-engineering research originally developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The company builds cell activation and expansion reagents used in the ex vivo manufacturing of immune cell therapies, including CAR-T and NK cell products. Its proprietary NanoSpark™ platform uses self-assembling protein nanoparticles that display functional antibodies in geometrically optimized orientations to drive receptor clustering and produce higher yields of stemlike T cells. Nanotein's three core products — NanoSpark™ STEM-T (T cell activator), EVEN-T (CD4+:CD8+ ratio modulator), and GROW-NK (feeder-free NK cell activator) — are all protein-based, soluble, and filter-sterilizable, eliminating synthetic and magnetic contaminants common in legacy reagents.
The company sells research-grade reagents directly through its website and via an exclusive global distribution agreement with Sartorius Stedim Biotech, which also took a $3M minority equity stake in August 2025. cGMP-grade versions of STEM-T (targeted for 2025) and GROW-NK are being produced in partnership with Akron Bio to support clinical and commercial-scale cell therapy manufacturing. Pricing for research products ranges from $300 to $650 per unit, with unit volumes rather than enterprise contracts as the primary revenue mechanic.
Nanotein serves biopharmaceutical and biotech companies developing CAR-T and NK cell therapies, alongside academic and research institutions working on immune cell biology. The company has been recognized as a Top 10 Biotech Startup of 2021 by Life Sciences Review and a Top Emerging Biotech by QB3. As of the input data, Nanotein remains privately held with a small team (1-10 employees), strategic backers including Polaris Group (2020) and Sartorius Stedim Biotech (2025), and revenue not publicly disclosed.
Nanotein Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nanotein Technologies
- Legal name
- Nanotein, Inc.
- Website
- https://nanoteintech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Nanotein Technologies develops protein-nanoparticle cell activation reagents (NanoSpark™ STEM-T, EVEN-T, GROW-NK) for ex vivo CAR-T and NK cell therapy manufacturing, serving biopharmaceutical developers and academic researchers with soluble, GMP-grade products distributed globally via Sartorius.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nanotein Technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cell Therapy Reagents
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cell Therapy Enabling Technologies (gene editing, cell engineering, delivery methods) (HLAAABAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies (HLAAABAC), NK Cell Therapies (HLAAABAD)
Keywords
Where Nanotein Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berkeley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Nanotein Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Research-grade Reagent Sales: Sale of NanoSpark™ research-use reagents including STEM-T, EVEN-T, and GROW-NK activators for T cell and NK cell expansion research
- Distribution Revenue through Sartorius: Revenue generated through exclusive global distribution agreement with Sartorius Stedim Biotech for commercializing cell activator reagents
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NanoSpark™ STEM-T Soluble T Cell Activator - 2 mL |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NanoSpark™ EVEN-T Soluble T Cell Activator - 1 mL |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NanoSpark™ GROW-NK Soluble Activator - 2 mL |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Nanotein Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nanotein Technologies develops and sells proprietary NanoSpark-branded soluble protein nanoparticle reagents for ex vivo activation and expansion of T cells and NK cells used in cell therapy manufacturing. The portfolio includes NanoSpark STEM-T (CAR-T expansion with high stemness), NanoSpark EVEN-T (CD4+:CD8+ ratio control), and NanoSpark GROW-NK (feeder-free NK cell activation), sold as research-grade reagents today and in cGMP versions under development for clinical and commercial cell therapy manufacturing.
Product overview
Nanotein Technologies offers the NanoSpark™ platform technology for ex vivo immune cell activation and expansion in cell therapy manufacturing. The product portfolio includes three core reagent products: NanoSpark™ STEM-T (for high stemlike CD8+ T cell production), NanoSpark™ EVEN-T (for controlled CD4+:CD8+ ratio modulation), and NanoSpark™ GROW-NK (for feeder-free NK cell activation). All products use proprietary self-assembling protein nanoparticles displaying functional antibodies in geometrically optimized orientations. The company is developing cGMP versions of STEM-T and GROW-NK for commercial manufacturing scale-up.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NanoSpark™: Proprietary nano-scaffolding platform technology that geometrically orients antibodies for optimal immune cell activation, used across all cell activator products including STEM-T, EVEN-T, and GROW-NK.
Products and services
- NanoSpark STEM-T Soluble T Cell Activator Easy-to-use T cell activator reagent kit for activation and expansion of human T cells including CAR-T cells. Uses anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies on a proprietary protein nanoparticle platform to drive high stemlike CD8+ T cell production, in a soluble, all-protein-based format requiring no magnetic components. Targeted at cell therapy developers and academic researchers.
- NanoSpark EVEN-T Soluble T Cell Activator First-in-class T cell activator that allows users to modulate the CD4+:CD8+ ratio in a dose-dependent manner during T cell expansion. Uses a proprietary additive to shift the CD4+:CD8+ ratio throughout expansion while maintaining excellent total T cell expansion. Targeted at cell therapy developers needing controlled T cell composition.
- NanoSpark GROW-NK Soluble Activator Feeder-free NK cell activator for ex vivo activation and expansion of human NK cells. Uses anti-NKp46 and anti-CD2 antibodies on the NanoSpark protein nanoparticle platform to drive internal signal transduction. A high performance, soluble, all-protein-based reagent designed to make traditional irradiated feeder cells obsolete. Targeted at NK cell therapy developers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Produces up to 2x more CD8+ TSCM cells compared to competitors
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Nanotein Technologies
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Nanotein Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Nanotein Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Sartorius Stedim BiotechflagshipStrategic partnership with exclusive global distribution agreement. Sartorius invested $3 million for a minority shareholding in Nanotein. Sartorius will commercialize Nanotein's NanoSpark® T cell and NK cell activator reagents designed to enhance cell therapy manufacturing processes. Companies will also jointly develop additional products for the rapidly expanding cell and gene therapy markets.
- Akron BiocorePartnership for cGMP production of NanoSpark® STEM-T Soluble T Cell Activator. Akron Bio, a leading supplier of critical materials and services for advanced therapies, will manufacture the GMP-grade version of the product to support commercial scale-up.
- Polaris GroupcoreStrategic partnership established in 2020 with Polaris Group, a developer of novel cancer treatments. Polaris serves as a major investor and manufacturing partner of Nanotein. The partnership leverages Polaris's expertise in cancer therapeutics development.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Nanotein Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Miltenyi Biotec: Direct competitor to Nanotein in T cell and NK cell activation reagents for cell therapy manufacturing, including T Cell TransAct™ (soluble activator) and MACS® GMP products. Most analogous peer given overlapping product categories targeting the same CAR-T and NK cell therapy developers.
- STEMCELL Technologies: Direct competitor in cell culture and immune cell activation reagents, including ImmunoCult™ T Cell Activators and NK cell expansion products. Comparable customer base of academic, biotech, and pharma cell therapy developers.
- CellGenix: GMP-grade cell and gene therapy raw materials supplier including cytokines and reagents for T cell/NK cell manufacturing. Directly comparable as a focused cell therapy reagent specialist with GMP product positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Major life sciences incumbent offering Dynabeads™ CD3/CD28 magnetic bead activators and CTS™ cell therapy reagent portfolio. Competes with NanoSpark across T cell activation and broader cell therapy manufacturing, with substantially larger commercial and manufacturing scale.
- Bio-Techne: Diversified life sciences tools company offering T cell activation reagents (e.g., ImmunoCult™), cytokines, and cell therapy workflow products. Provides direct competition in T cell/NK cell expansion reagents as part of a broader portfolio.
- Lonza: Global CDMO and cell therapy solutions provider offering cell therapy manufacturing services and select reagents. Adjacent competitor given its role in the cell therapy supply chain and growing reagent/cell therapy product offering.
- Cytiva (Danaher): Large life sciences tools and bioprocessing supplier offering cell therapy workflow products and services through its broader portfolio. Competes indirectly with NanoSpark reagents via cell expansion and processing solutions.
Emerging players
- MaxCyte: Cell therapy enabling technology company focused on electroporation for cell engineering. Comparable as a cell therapy enabling platform, though focused on a different step (transfection) versus Nanotein's activation/expansion focus.
Others
- Akron Bio: Strategic contract manufacturing partner of Nanotein for GMP production of STEM-T. Comparable ecosystem participant supplying cytokines and ancillary materials to advanced therapy developers; both serve the same end-customer base.
- Sartorius Stedim Biotech: Exclusive global distribution partner and minority equity investor in Nanotein. Listed as a peer because Sartorius also offers bioprocess and cell therapy products adjacent to Nanotein's reagent offerings; the relationship is a strategic commercial alliance rather than direct head-to-head competition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nanotein Technologies social profiles
Digital presenceNanotein Technologies compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Nanotein Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nanotein Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Nanotein Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nanotein Technologies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Nanotein Technologies
What does Nanotein Technologies do?
Nanotein Technologies develops and sells proprietary NanoSpark-branded soluble protein nanoparticle reagents for ex vivo activation and expansion of T cells and NK cells used in cell therapy manufacturing. The portfolio includes NanoSpark STEM-T (CAR-T expansion with high stemness), NanoSpark EVEN-T (CD4+:CD8+ ratio control), and NanoSpark GROW-NK (feeder-free NK cell activation), sold as research-grade reagents today and in cGMP versions under development for clinical and commercial cell therapy manufacturing.
Is Nanotein Technologies a public or private company?
Nanotein Technologies is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Nanotein Technologies founded?
Nanotein Technologies was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Nanotein Technologies based?
Nanotein Technologies is headquartered in Berkeley, United States, in the North America region.
How does Nanotein Technologies make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Research-grade Reagent Sales are the primary driver. The others are distribution Revenue through Sartorius.
Who are Nanotein Technologies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Miltenyi Biotec, STEMCELL Technologies and CellGenix. Broad incumbents are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bio-Techne, Lonza and Cytiva (Danaher). MaxCyte is listed as an emerging player. Others are Akron Bio and Sartorius Stedim Biotech.
Does Nanotein Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nanotein Technologies.
What industry is Nanotein Technologies in?
Nanotein Technologies's product category is Cell Therapy Reagents. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAABAL, Cell Therapy Enabling Technologies (gene editing, cell engineering, delivery methods), with a secondary code of HLAAABAC, CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies. Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.