What Addgene does

Addgene is a nonprofit biological resource repository founded in 2004 and headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts. The organization operates as a centralized archive and global distribution platform for research materials, currently holding 174,400+ plasmids contributed by 6,962 laboratories worldwide. Its catalog also includes 1,091 ready-to-use viral vectors (AAV, lentivirus, adenovirus, gamma-retrovirus), 275 recombinant antibodies, pooled CRISPR libraries, and plasmid kits. Materials have been requested 2,444,665 times and shipped to 113 countries, with the organization having played a documented role in enabling CRISPR research and COVID-19 vaccine development.

The platform is built around a self-serve digital ordering system in which researchers browse the catalog online, complete Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) electronically, and receive verified materials with full sequence documentation. Supporting infrastructure includes a BLAST-based Sequence Analyzer, a user-contributed Data Hub for experimental validation, a Vector Database, and a Developers Portal exposing API access. Vertical service offerings include AAV and lentivirus packaging on request or from in-stock inventory, custom serotype preparation, and cloning-grade DNA preparation. Tech Transfer Accounts allow institutions to manage approvals, track transfers, and download executed MTAs digitally.

Addgene generates revenue primarily through transaction fees on material distribution and viral preparation services, charging customers to cover storage, verification, and distribution costs. Customer segments span academic and nonprofit researchers (primary) and a growing industry channel served via a dedicated Industry Portal with distinct licensing terms for for-profit biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The organization is led by President and Executive Director Chonnettia Jones and announced a refreshed brand identity in April 2026 reflecting its evolution beyond plasmid-only distribution and its strategic prioritization of industry partnerships.

Name

Addgene

Legal name

Addgene

Website

https://addgene.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Addgene is a nonprofit biological resource repository that archives, verifies, and globally distributes plasmids, viral vectors, and recombinant antibodies from 6,962 contributing labs to researchers in 113 countries, primarily serving academic and nonprofit life-science institutions with a growing industry channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biological Research Materials Repository and Distribution

akta.pro primary industry

Lentiviral Vector Gene Therapy Developers (HLAAACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

AAV Vector Gene Therapy Developers (HLAAACAA), Gene Therapy CMC/Process Development Platforms (capsid engineering, producer cell lines, plasmids, upstream/downstream) (HLAAACAN), Gene Therapy (Viral Vector/Plasmid) CDMO (HLAGABAE), Plasmid DNA & mRNA Manufacturing Services (HLAAAKAE)

Keywords

• Plasmid repository services
• Viral vector preparation
• Recombinant antibody distribution
• Molecular biology reagents
• Research materials sharing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Research Materials Distribution: Distribution of plasmids, viral vectors, and antibodies to academic and industry researchers worldwide. The nonprofit charges fees for materials to cover storage, verification, and distribution costs while maintaining accessibility for academic institutions.
2. Viral Preparation Services: Fee-based preparation and packaging of viral vectors including AAV and lentivirus on request or from in-stock inventory
3. Industry Access Fees: Industry customers pay for access to certain materials and services, with Addgene noting a subset of collection available for for-profit entities

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Addgene is a nonprofit biological material repository and distribution platform that archives, verifies, and globally distributes plasmids, viral vectors, and recombinant antibodies on behalf of contributing laboratories. It manages the full ordering, Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), and shipping workflow for materials shipped to 113 countries, and complements physical distribution with a digital toolkit including a Sequence Analyzer, Data Hub, Vector Database, and Developers Portal API.

Product overview

Addgene is a nonprofit biological resource organization operating as a centralized repository and distribution service for research materials. The organization functions as both a platform and service provider, offering plasmids as the foundational product alongside viral vectors (AAV and Lentivirus preparations), recombinant antibodies, pooled CRISPR libraries, and plasmid kits. Supporting infrastructure includes Data Hub for user-contributed validation data, Sequence Analyzer and Vector Database for research tools, and a Developers Portal providing API access to repository data. The company supports the global research community by managing material transfers through Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and providing educational content including protocols and science guides. Materials have been requested over 2.4 million times and shipped to 113 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plasmid Repository and Distribution Centralized archive and global distribution of 174,400+ plasmids contributed by 6,962 laboratories, with full sequence documentation, quality verification, and Material Transfer Agreement handling for researchers worldwide.
• Viral Vectors (AAV, Lentivirus, Adenovirus, γ-Retrovirus) Ready-to-use viral preparations including AAV, Lentivirus, Adenovirus, and γ-Retrovirus vectors, comprising 1,091 ready-to-use items distributed to researchers for viral research and gene delivery applications.
• Recombinant Antibodies Distribution of 275 recombinant antibodies, including chimeric recombinant antibodies with fused variable and constant domains, for research applications in immunology and related fields.
• Pooled CRISPR Libraries Genome-wide CRISPR screening libraries available as ready-to-use viral preparations for genetic screening applications.
• Plasmid Kits Pre-configured collections of related plasmids bundled together for convenience, allowing researchers to request multiple related constructs in a single order.
• AAV Prep Service Adeno-Associated Virus preparation services including in-stock AAV particles, packaged-on-request preparations, and custom serotypes (Caltech Systemic, Retrograde, University of Florida Eye Panel).
• Lentivirus Prep Service Lentiviral vector preparation services including Cas9 constructs, pooled CRISPR libraries, and non-CRISPR options available as ready-to-use preparations.
• Cloning Grade DNA Service High-purity DNA preparation service for cloning applications, providing researchers with ready-to-use DNA for downstream molecular biology workflows.

Quantifiable outcome

• 174,400+ plasmids distributed to researchers worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Allen Institute for Cell SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllen Institute for Cell Science is listed as a community partner on Addgene's platform, indicating collaborative relationship for sharing cell biology research materials and promoting open science initiatives.
• Industry PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAddgene announced strategic prioritization of industry partnerships to broaden access to reliable research materials as part of its 2026 brand refresh, indicating expanded commercial distribution relationships.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VectorBuilder: Commercial provider of custom plasmid design, viral vector packaging (AAV, lentivirus, adenovirus), and engineered cell lines. Most directly competitive to Addgene's viral vector preparation services across academic and biotech customers.
• Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT): Major manufacturer of DNA and RNA oligonucleotides, genes, and supporting reagents serving the same academic and biotech researcher base. Provides on-demand synthesis alternatives to the plasmid-retrieval workflow that Addgene enables.
• Twist Bioscience: Commercial DNA synthesis company offering synthetic genes, plasmids, and antibody libraries to researchers. Competes with Addgene's plasmid catalog through on-demand gene synthesis that bypasses the need to retrieve physical materials.
• GenScript: Global life sciences services company offering gene synthesis, plasmid preparation, viral vector packaging, and protein production. Directly competes with Addgene on plasmid manufacturing and viral vector services for academic and industry customers.
• ATCC (American Type Culture Collection): Nonprofit biological resource center that authenticates, stores, and distributes cell lines, microbes, and biomaterials to researchers worldwide. Operates the same nonprofit-repository model as Addgene for an adjacent product category, making it the closest structural peer.
• Aldevron: CDMO specializing in plasmid DNA, mRNA, and protein production for therapeutic and research applications. Competes with Addgene's plasmid and viral vector services, particularly for higher-quality and GMP-grade industry customers.
• Coriell Institute: Nonprofit biomedical research organization that maintains and distributes cell lines, DNA samples, and biological specimens to the research community. Closely mirrors Addgene's nonprofit repository and distribution model for an adjacent product set.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global life sciences tools and reagents company offering plasmids, cloning tools, gene synthesis, and viral vectors through brands like Invitrogen and Thermo Scientific. Reaches the same researcher customer base via a much broader product portfolio.
• Charles River Laboratories: Large contract research and CDMO organization with end-to-end gene therapy and cell therapy manufacturing capabilities. Provides comparable plasmid and viral vector services as part of a much broader portfolio targeting industry customers.

Emerging players

• System Biosciences (SBI): Specialty provider of plasmids, lentiviral vectors, and molecular biology tools focused on genomics and gene editing research. Smaller and more niche than GenScript or Aldevron but directly comparable to Addgene's core catalog offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/addgene
• Instagraminstagram.com/addgene
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/addgenemedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/addgene
• Xx.com/Addgene

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Addgene