Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
The Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center operated by Leidos Biomedical Research under NCI contract, providing advanced biomedical research infrastructure, clinical biomanufacturing, and at-cost scientific services to the extramural cancer and infectious disease research community.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersFrederick, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research does
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR) is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. under contract with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, on the NCI at Frederick Campus at Fort Detrick, the laboratory functions as a national scientific resource providing research infrastructure, technical services, and clinical manufacturing capacity to the broader biomedical research community. It employs 1,001-5,000 staff and operates with an annual budget exceeding $200 million per directorate-level disclosures. The laboratory is led by Director Ethan Dmitrovsky and Director of Strategic and Data Science Initiatives Ryan Weil.
The core technology portfolio spans advanced biomedical research infrastructure including cryo-electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics, protein expression, antibody characterization, and nanomedicine characterization. It is organized into research programs (AIDS and Cancer Virus, Basic Science, Bioinformatics and Computational Science, Cancer Research Technology, Laboratory Animal Sciences, and Vaccine/Immunity/Cancer), clinical trial support functions (Biopharmaceutical Development Program for CAR T-cell and vaccine manufacturing, Clinical Monitoring Research Program, Vaccine Clinical Materials Program), and national user facilities (Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, National Cryo-EM Facility). FNLCR has characterized 400+ nanotechnology-based concepts with 17 advancing to clinical trials and 3 to marketing authorization, developed 947 antibodies against 571 targets, tested 300,000+ compounds against the NCI 60-cell-line panel, and produced 300+ vaccine shipments supporting ~100 clinical trials across 45 products between 2012-2022.
The business model is government-contract-based rather than commercial: FNLCR receives federal funding through its NCI prime contract and provides at-cost access to specialized capabilities, reagents, and reference materials to the extramural research community. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, consistent with its FFRDC status. Key strategic partners include the National Cancer Institute (parent sponsor), Leidos Biomedical Research (operator), the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) for gene therapy and medicinal chemistry work, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for nanotechnology standards, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for HPV serology standardization, and ASTM International and ISO for protocol harmonization. Scientific output is anchored by initiatives such as the RAS Initiative and the Scientific Standards Hub, which address reproducibility gaps across 8 disciplines.
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
- Legal name
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
- Website
- https://frederick.cancer.gov
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center operated by Leidos Biomedical Research under NCI contract, providing advanced biomedical research infrastructure, clinical biomanufacturing, and at-cost scientific services to the extramural cancer and infectious disease research community.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biomedical Research Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) (HLAJAOAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Clinical Operations & Monitoring FSP (CRA/CTM/Start-up) (HLAGAOAA), Health Research Funding Agencies (Public/Quasi-Public) (HLAJALAB)
Keywords
Where Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Frederick
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Contract Revenue: FNLCR is operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. under a contract with the National Cancer Institute. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), the laboratory receives federal government funding to conduct biomedical research and provide scientific services to the research community.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | At-cost service model for external researchers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) that provides biomedical research services, advanced technologies, and scientific reagents to the National Cancer Institute and the broader scientific community. Operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. for the NCI as part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Product overview
The Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) operated by Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. for the National Cancer Institute. The laboratory provides a comprehensive portfolio of research programs (including AIDS and Cancer Virus, Basic Science, Bioinformatics, Cancer Research Technology, Laboratory Animal Sciences, and Vaccine/Immunity research), clinical trial support services (Biopharmaceutical Development, Clinical Monitoring, Vaccine Clinical Materials), national scientific user facilities (Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, National Cryo-EM Facility), and technical services (HIV/SIV testing, nanomedicine characterization). The organization also maintains research initiatives such as the RAS Initiative and Scientific Standards Hub, and offers training programs (cGMP, Global Clinical Research Educational Modules) and standardized reference materials for the scientific community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Biomedical Research Services Core research services including advanced biomedical research, drug discovery, and laboratory support provided to NCI, NIH, and collaborating scientific institutions.
- Scientific Reagents and Research Materials Production and distribution of research-grade biological reagents, cell lines, and laboratory materials used by cancer researchers and biomedical scientists.
- Clinical Trials Support Infrastructure and laboratory support services for NCI-sponsored clinical trials and translational research programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 17 nanotechnology-based concepts advanced to clinical trials from 400+ characterized
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)corePrimary federal sponsor and parent organization. FNLCR operates as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) under contract with NCI to meet urgent biomedical research needs and serve as a national and global resource.
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.coreThe operator of Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, providing operational management and support for the FFRDC contract with NCI.
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)majorNIH partnership establishing new Gene Therapy Immunology and Standards Laboratory. Collaboration on Medicinal Chemistry Support (NCATS NeXT program) for synthesis of new chemical entities targeting cancer.
- Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationmajorCollaborates with NCI and FNLCR HPV Serology Laboratory on HPV Serology Standardization initiative to address needs for standardized HPV vaccine immunogenicity assessment.
- Hood CollegemajorAcademic partnership hosting Life Sciences Symposium. Hood College received NSF grant for biotechnology training program with FNLCR providing industry partnerships and expertise.
- Global Network of National HPV Reference LaboratoriesminorInternational collaboration of experts from 11 countries who compiled the HPV Laboratory e-Manual with FNL scientists.
- U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationmajorCollaborates with FDA on nanotechnology characterization standards and regulatory review of nanotechnology concepts intended as cancer therapies and diagnostics.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Leidos Biomedical Research: The contractor-operator of FNLCR under the NCI FFRDC contract, providing operational management and scientific staff. Most directly comparable entity given shared operations, mission, and infrastructure.
- Jackson Laboratory (JAX): Independent nonprofit biomedical research institute with similar mission in cancer genetics, mouse modeling, and genomic services. Comparable as a national research resource providing specialized infrastructure and services to the extramural research community.
- Brookhaven National Laboratory: DOE-sponsored national laboratory with similar FFRDC structure, providing specialized scientific user facilities and infrastructure to the research community. Comparable as a federally funded R&D center operating capital-intensive research capabilities.
- Argonne National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory with analogous FFRDC operating model and user facility structure. Comparable as a federally funded research center providing shared scientific infrastructure and large-scale R&D capabilities.
- Los Alamos National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory operated under FFRDC contract by a private contractor (Triad National Security). Highly comparable operating model: government-owned, contractor-operated research facility providing specialized capabilities.
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory with FFRDC-like structure and user facility model. Comparable as a large-scale, federally funded scientific research center providing infrastructure access to external researchers.
Regional players
- MD Anderson Cancer Center: Major U.S. cancer research and treatment institution with comparable cancer research portfolio and translational pipeline. Comparable in mission (cancer research, clinical trials, immunotherapy) but operates as a hospital system rather than an FFRDC.
Others
- National Cancer Institute (NCI): Direct parent/funding organization. NCI is the federal sponsor under whose contract FNLCR operates as an FFRDC, making it the institutional anchor of FNLCR's mission and funding.
Broad incumbents
- Charles River Laboratories: Large CRO offering preclinical research, laboratory animal sciences, and biologics services—directly overlapping with FNLCR's animal sciences, biopharmaceutical development, and preclinical testing capabilities. Comparable in service offerings though commercial.
- IQVIA: Major global CRO providing clinical trial monitoring, laboratory services, and biopharmaceutical development support—directly comparable to FNLCR's Clinical Monitoring Research Program and clinical trial materials services at commercial scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research social profiles
Digital presenceFrederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
What does Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research do?
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) that provides biomedical research services, advanced technologies, and scientific reagents to the National Cancer Institute and the broader scientific community. Operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. for the NCI as part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Is Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research a public or private company?
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research founded?
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research was founded in 1972. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research based?
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research is headquartered in Frederick, United States, in the North America region.
How does Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Contract Revenue.
Who are Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Leidos Biomedical Research, Jackson Laboratory (JAX), Brookhaven National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. MD Anderson Cancer Center is listed as a regional player. National Cancer Institute (NCI) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Charles River Laboratories and IQVIA.
Does Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research have an API?
No public API is recorded for Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research.
What industry is Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in?
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research's product category is Biomedical Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAOAM, Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs), with a secondary code of HLAGAOAA, Clinical Operations & Monitoring FSP (CRA/CTM/Start-up). Its NAICS code is 54171 and its SIC code is 8731.