Neural Stem Cell Institute
Neural Stem Cell Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute developing regenerative stem cell therapies and intrabody therapeutics for central nervous system diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, age-related macular degeneration, and spinal cord injury, serving academic and biotech research customers via grants, core facility distribution, and spinout commercialization.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersRensselaer, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Neural Stem Cell Institute does
Neural Stem Cell Institute (NSCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute founded in 2005 by Dr. Sally Temple and Dr. Jeffrey Stern as the first independent, non-profit stem cell research institute in the United States. Headquartered in Albany/Rensselaer, New York with approximately 30 researchers, NSCI develops regenerative stem cell therapies for central nervous system diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord, and retina, with active programs targeting Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), frontotemporal dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, Huntington's disease, and spinal cord injury.
NSCI's core technology portfolio spans cell replacement therapy using its discovered Retinal Pigment Epithelial Stem Cell (RPESC), intrabody therapeutics through the proprietary PTAP (Programmable Target Antigen Proteolysis) platform for selective intracellular protein degradation, StemBeads controlled-release growth factor microbeads, biodegradable microbeads for spinal cord immune modulation, and patient-derived iPSC disease-in-a-dish models. The institute has produced over 80 peer-reviewed publications and holds three awarded patents with additional applications under review. A Phase I/IIa clinical trial for dry AMD using RPE stem cell therapy was initiated in 2022 following FDA IND allowance in June 2020, sponsored by spinout Luxa Biotechnology at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center.
NSCI's revenue model relies primarily on federal grants (NIH, DoD), state funding (NYSTEM), and foundation grants (Alzheimer's Association, Michael J. Fox Foundation, CurePSP, Rainwater Charitable Foundation, Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Tau Consortium), supplemented by donations, NeuraCell core facility distribution revenue (stem cell lines and models shared with over 70 institutions worldwide), and licensing/royalty potential from affiliated spinouts including StemCulture LLC (stem cell reagents), Luxa Biotechnology LLC (eye therapies), and Linkage Therapeutics (intrabody therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases). More than 95% of donations directly fund research activities.
Neural Stem Cell Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Neural Stem Cell Institute
- Legal name
- Neural Stem Cell Institute
- Website
- https://neuralsci.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Neural Stem Cell Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute developing regenerative stem cell therapies and intrabody therapeutics for central nervous system diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, age-related macular degeneration, and spinal cord injury, serving academic and biotech research customers via grants, core facility distribution, and spinout commercialization.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Neural Stem Cell Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies (HLAAAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Stem Cell Therapies (MSC/iPSC/HSC-derived) (HLAAABAE), Neural & Spinal Cord Regeneration (HLAAAGAI)
Keywords
Where Neural Stem Cell Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rensselaer
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Neural Stem Cell Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Federal, State, and Foundation Grants: NSCI investigators have secured funding from the National Institute of Health, the Department of Defense, the NY State Department of Health (NYSTEM), and private foundations including the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Alzheimer's Association, CurePSP, Rainwater Charitable Foundation (Tau Consortium), Michael J. Fox Foundation, among others. This is the primary revenue source.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NSCI accepts charitable donations. More than 95% of every dollar directly fuels research. Less than 5% goes to administrative support.
- NeuraCell Core Facility Revenue: NeuraCell, a not-for-profit core facility, distributes stem cell lines and models to support scientists, laboratories and companies, generating revenue for the institute.
- Spinoff Company Licensing: NSCI has successfully launched biotechnology companies including StemCulture LLC (selling stem cell reagents) and Luxa Biotechnology LLC (for eye therapies), creating potential licensing and royalty revenue streams.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation-based support with suggested levels |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Neural Stem Cell Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NSCI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute that develops regenerative stem cell therapies for central nervous system diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and retina, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and spinal cord injury. The institute provides patient-derived iPSC disease models, distributes stem cell lines and neural cells through its NeuraCell core facility, develops intrabody therapeutics for toxic protein clearance via its PTAP platform, and operates an active Phase I/IIa clinical trial for AMD cell replacement therapy through spinout Luxa Biotechnology.
Product overview
The Neural Stem Cell Institute operates as a multi-product research organization focused on developing regenerative stem cell therapies for central nervous system diseases. The portfolio includes: NeuraCell, a not-for-profit core facility providing stem cells and research tools; StemCultures LLC and Luxa Biotechnology LLC as commercial spin-offs; and Linkage Therapeutics, a biotechnology company advancing intrabody therapeutics. Key technology platforms include StemBeads for controlled-release growth factors and the PTAP platform for precision protein clearance. Core therapeutic programs include RPE cell replacement therapy for macular degeneration, intrabody therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, and biodegradable microbeads for spinal cord repair.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NeuraCell: A not-for-profit core facility that provides unique stem cells, tools and services to support scientists, laboratories and companies. Banks, grows and differentiates induced pluripotent stem cell lines (iPSCs) to study neurodegeneration, neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.
- Linkage Therapeutics
- StemBeads
Products and services
- NeuraCell Core Facility
Quantifiable outcome
- FDA IND allowance obtained June 2020 for RPE stem cell therapy for age-related macular degeneration; Phase I/IIa clinical trial began in 2022
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Neural Stem Cell Institute
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Neural Stem Cell Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Neural Stem Cell Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Luxa Biotechnology LLCcoreLuxa Biotechnology LLC is a company created by NSCI for eye therapies. It is the sponsor of the Phase I/IIa clinical trial for RPE stem cell therapy for age-related macular degeneration. The trial is being conducted at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center with additional support from the National Eye Institute and NIH Regenerative Medicine Innovation Project.
- KaryopharmminorKaryopharm, a pharmaceutical company developing selective inhibitors of nuclear export, is collaborating with Dr. Caitlin Hill's lab and received a Department of Defense grant to test nuclear export inhibitors for spinal cord injury repair.
- University of Michigan Kellogg Eye CentercoreThe clinical team at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, led by Dr. Rajesh Rao, is conducting the Phase I/IIa clinical trial for NSCI's RPE stem cell therapy for age-related macular degeneration.
- StemCulture LLCminorStemCulture LLC was successfully launched as a spinout from NSCI to commercialize stem cell reagents including StemBeads controlled-release growth factor technology.
- The Next Gen Stem Cell ConferenceminorA stem cell meeting created by NSCI and geared toward young investigators in the field, facilitating scientific exchange and professional development.
- International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)coreDr. Sally Temple serves as a member of the board of directors and past president of ISSCR, providing strategic oversight for stem cell research internationally.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Neural Stem Cell Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Aspen Neuroscience: Autologous iPSC-derived dopamine neuron replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease. Directly comparable to NSCI's iPSC-based CNS regenerative approach and to its scale-up toward clinical translation.
- BlueRock Therapeutics: iPSC-derived cell therapies for CNS diseases (Parkinson's, neurology). Operates a comparable pluripotent-stem-cell clinical pipeline and shares NSCI's regenerative medicine mission for neurodegenerative indications.
- Lineage Cell Therapeutics: Cell therapy programs for ophthalmology and CNS disorders including retinitis pigmentosa and AMD. Closely aligned with NSCI's RPESC-based retinal cell replacement work and neurodegenerative pipeline.
- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics: Autologous cell therapy (NurOwn) for ALS and neurodegenerative diseases. Comparable as a stem-cell-based therapeutics developer in CNS, though focused on a different mechanism and indication.
- Allen Institute for Brain Science: Independent nonprofit neuroscience research organization. Directly comparable to NSCI in mission structure (nonprofit brain research institute producing foundational tools and models) and in global scientific profile.
Emerging players
- Notch Therapeutics: iPSC-derived cell therapies using engineered Notch signaling to generate immune and other cell types. Comparable as a stem-cell-based therapy developer leveraging iPSC platforms for clinical translation.
- Lexeo Therapeutics: Gene therapy programs focused on CNS and ophthalmology indications including Alzheimer's and retinal disease. Overlaps with NSCI's translation-stage CNS pipeline and with delivery to the retina.
Broad incumbents
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute: Nonprofit academic institute running iPSC and stem cell therapy programs for neurological and other diseases. Comparable as a translational stem-cell research hub operating at greater institutional scale.
- Biogen: Large commercial neuroscience biopharmaceutical company with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and rare neurodegenerative disease pipelines. Represents the development and commercial endpoint NSCI's programs aspire to via partnership or acquisition.
Others
- ISSCR (International Society for Stem Cell Research): International nonprofit scientific society for stem cell research. Relevant as an ecosystem partner through Dr. Temple's leadership and as a publisher of standards shaping regulatory acceptance of NSCI's stem cell platforms.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Neural Stem Cell Institute social profiles
Digital presenceNeural Stem Cell Institute compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Neural Stem Cell Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Neural Stem Cell Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Neural Stem Cell Institute subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Neural Stem Cell Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Neural Stem Cell Institute 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 Neural Stem Cell Institute
What does Neural Stem Cell Institute do?
NSCI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute that develops regenerative stem cell therapies for central nervous system diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and retina, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and spinal cord injury. The institute provides patient-derived iPSC disease models, distributes stem cell lines and neural cells through its NeuraCell core facility, develops intrabody therapeutics for toxic protein clearance via its PTAP platform, and operates an active Phase I/IIa clinical trial for AMD cell replacement therapy through spinout Luxa Biotechnology.
Is Neural Stem Cell Institute a public or private company?
Neural Stem Cell Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Neural Stem Cell Institute founded?
Neural Stem Cell Institute was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Neural Stem Cell Institute based?
Neural Stem Cell Institute is headquartered in Rensselaer, United States, in the North America region.
How does Neural Stem Cell Institute make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Federal, State, and Foundation Grants are the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Contributions, neuraCell Core Facility Revenue and spinoff Company Licensing.
Who are Neural Stem Cell Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Aspen Neuroscience, BlueRock Therapeutics, Lineage Cell Therapeutics, BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics and Allen Institute for Brain Science. Emerging players are Notch Therapeutics and Lexeo Therapeutics. Broad incumbents are Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and Biogen. ISSCR (International Society for Stem Cell Research) is listed as an others.
Does Neural Stem Cell Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Neural Stem Cell Institute.
What industry is Neural Stem Cell Institute in?
Neural Stem Cell Institute's product category is Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAGAA, Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies, with a secondary code of HLAAABAE, Stem Cell Therapies (MSC/iPSC/HSC-derived). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.