What Anthony Nolan does

Anthony Nolan is a UK-registered non-profit charity founded in 1974 by Shirley Nolan following the death of her son Anthony, establishing the world's first register of volunteer bone marrow donors. The organisation operates a stem cell donor registry of over 920,000 potential donors aged 16-30, complemented by a Cord Blood Programme collecting umbilical cord blood at five UK hospitals, and the Anthony Nolan Research Institute (ANRI) which has advanced transplant science for 30 years. Core operations include donor recruitment through community channels (university Marrow groups, sports clubs, corporate partners, emergency services), HLA-typed donor matching for patients with blood cancers and disorders, and stem cell collection at NHS and private collection centres including a dedicated Nottingham facility opened in 2025.

The business model blends charitable funding with a growing commercial B2B layer. The primary revenue engine is voluntary income from individual donations (regular giving tiers from £3-£10/month, single gifts up to £40 per donor recruited), fundraising events, workplace and payroll giving, lottery, and raffles. A secondary revenue stream is fee-for-service Cell Therapy and Laboratory Services provided to pharmaceutical and biotech developers of autologous and allogeneic cell therapies, including umbilical cord tissue supplied under material transfer and license agreements to partners such as INmune Bio. Services are delivered to patients and donors free of charge; the Graft Identification Advisory Service (GIAS) supports NHS transplant centres in optimal donor selection. The customer base spans individual patients and families, registered donors, NHS transplant centres, and enterprise biotech clients, with concentration risk concentrated in the small commercial B2B segment while the donor-funded base is broadly diversified.

Name

Anthony Nolan

Legal name

Anthony Nolan

Website

https://anthonynolan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Anthony Nolan is a UK non-profit charity operating the world's first stem cell donor registry, matching over 920,000 registered donors aged 16-30 with patients needing transplants, and providing cell therapy laboratory services to pharmaceutical and biotech developers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Stem Cell Registry & Transplant Services

NAICS

Blood and Organ Banks (621991), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Blood, Organ & Tissue Donation Organizations (BPAGACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cell & Tissue Banking (biobanking, cord blood/tissue) (HLAAAGAE), Stem Cell Therapies (MSC/iPSC/HSC-derived) (HLAAABAE), Blood Bank, Transfusion Medicine & Immunohematology (HLAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Stem cell registry
• Cord blood banking
• Cell therapy services
• Donor recruitment
• Transplant coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Individual donations, regular giving, and major gifts from supporters. Donors aged 31+ are encouraged to fund the recruitment of younger donors (aged 16-30).
2. Cell Therapy and Laboratory Services: Fee-for-service laboratory and cell therapy services provided to pharmaceutical companies and biotech developers for cell therapy research and development.
3. Fundraising Events and Campaigns: Revenue from challenge events (runs, cycles, skydives), lottery, Christmas raffle, workplace giving, and payroll giving schemes.
4. Umbilical Cord Tissue Provision: Supply of umbilical cord tissue to biotech companies such as INmune Bio for cellular therapy development, governed by Material Transfer and License Agreements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Anthony Nolan operates the world's first stem cell donor register, recruiting and HLA-typing donors aged 16-30 to match with patients who need stem cell transplants for blood cancers and disorders. The charity also runs a Cord Blood Programme collecting and banking umbilical cord blood at five UK hospitals, and provides commercial Cell Therapy and Laboratory Services to pharmaceutical and biotech developers, alongside transplant-related patient support and research via the Anthony Nolan Research Institute (ANRI).

Product overview

Anthony Nolan operates as a UK-based stem cell charity offering a portfolio of interconnected services centred on recruiting stem cell donors, maintaining a donor registry, and facilitating stem cell transplants. The core offering is the Stem Cell Register (containing over 920,000 potential donors), supplemented by the Cord Blood Programme for umbilical cord stem cell collection. The organisation provides Cell Therapy and Laboratory Services including the Nottingham Cell Collection Centre, and supports both autologous and allogeneic cell therapy developers through manufacturing collaborations. Anthony Nolan Research Institute (ANRI) drives scientific advancement in transplant outcomes. Patient-facing services include financial grants, a helpline, emotional support, and CAR T-cell therapy guidance. Volunteer programmes including Marrow (university students), Hero Project (youth education), and courier services enable community-based donor recruitment and logistics support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Anthony Nolan Stem Cell Register A database of over 920,000 potential stem cell donors aged 16-30 used to match donors with patients needing stem cell transplants for blood cancers and disorders. Recruits approximately 33,652 new donors per year and is searched by NHS transplant centres when looking for unrelated donors.
• Cord Blood Programme Collects, processes and banks umbilical cord blood rich in stem cells for use in stem cell transplants. Operates cord blood collection sites at five UK hospitals, providing an additional source of stem cells for transplant patients.
• Cell Therapy and Laboratory Services Commercial fee-for-service laboratory services including stem cell processing, storage, distribution and donor material supply, delivered to pharmaceutical and biotech developers of both autologous and allogeneic cell therapies. Ethical sourcing with full traceability of donor materials from collection to patient release.
• Anthony Nolan Research Institute (ANRI) Anthony Nolan's in-house research institute focused on improving transplant outcomes and developing new treatments for blood cancers and disorders through scientific research. Allocates around £2.76 million per year to research activity.
• Patient Services Comprehensive patient and family support including a helpline (0303 303 0303), telephone emotional support, clinical nurse specialists, and a Patients & Families Forum for peer support. Services are provided free of charge to transplant patients and their families.
• Anthony Nolan Grants One-off financial grants provided to stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell therapy patients to help cover unexpected costs during and after treatment. Funded through charitable donations.
• Graft Identification Advisory Service (GIAS) Clinical service provided to UK transplant centres that uses expert analysis of donor-patient HLA compatibility to recommend the optimal unrelated donor match for each patient, supporting transplant planning and donor selection.
• CAR T-cell Therapy Support Information and support services for patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy, including preparation guidance, treatment information, and recovery support resources. Complements the Patient Services offering for this specific therapy pathway.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of children diagnosed with cancer in the UK now survive for five years or more, yet two-thirds of survivors face risk of serious disabling or life-threatening conditions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Great Ormond Street Hospital CharitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Anthony Nolan and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity announced a research partnership in June 2026 to study the long-term care and support needs of childhood cancer survivors, including psychological support, fertility preservation, and rehabilitation services. The partnership will conduct in-depth interviews with young survivors and their carers to develop evidence-backed recommendations for the NHS.
• INmune Bio Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2026INmune Bio signed an amended Material Transfer and License Agreement with Anthony Nolan in April 2026 to secure umbilical cord tissue for its CORDStrom mesenchymal stromal cell platform. The expanded collaboration supports development of treatments for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, solid tumors, osteoarthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The partnership combines Anthony Nolan's 50 years of stem cell expertise with INmune Bio's CORDStrom platform.
• eXmoor PharmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Contract development and manufacturing organization eXmoor Pharma and Anthony Nolan Cell Therapy and Laboratory Services entered a collaboration in September 2025 to support developers of both autologous and allogeneic cell therapies. The partnership combines Anthony Nolan's donor registry and expertise in cell collection with eXmoor's integrated process development and manufacturing services, emphasizing ethical sourcing and complete traceability of donor materials from collection to patient release.
• NHS Blood and TransplantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnthony Nolan partners with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) on the Cord Support Programme and the Anthony Nolan and NHS Stem Cell Registry. When searching for a match, all UK registers are searched through the joint registry.
• African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnthony Nolan partners with the ACLT, an inspiring charity committed to giving hope to people with blood cancer in need of a stem cell transplant, particularly focusing on recruiting donors from Black, African, Caribbean, and mixed ethnic backgrounds.
• Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGAA clubs across Ulster are recruiting hundreds of young people to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register, leveraging the association's community network to reach potential donors aged 16-30.
• Police ScotlandmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPolice Scotland and Anthony Nolan have been working in partnership for six years to recruit more potential lifesavers to the stem cell register, engaging police staff and their communities as donors.
• Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnthony Nolan and Scottish Fire & Rescue Service celebrate over 15 years of an award-winning and transformational partnership focused on recruiting fire service personnel and communities as stem cell donors.
• NextmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNext selected Anthony Nolan as Charity of the Year Partner for 2023 and 2024, engaging retail staff and customers in fundraising and donor recruitment activities.
• RSM UKmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRSM UK has helped facilitate over 7,741 lifesaving journeys all over the world through its partnership with Anthony Nolan, providing professional services support and fundraising.
• Janus HendersonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner engaged in fundraising activities to support Anthony Nolan's lifesaving work.
• TRAD UKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction industry corporate partner supporting Anthony Nolan through fundraising.
• ChattertonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading law firm Chattertons selected Anthony Nolan as Charity of the Year Partner for 2025.
• Lactalis UK & IrelandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDairy company Lactalis UK & Ireland is a past corporate partner of Anthony Nolan.
• Transport for LondonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTransport for London partnership with Anthony Nolan for workplace engagement and donor recruitment among transport workers and commuters.
• Over The Wall CampminorOthersFamily Camp is facilitated by Over The Wall Camp and supported and part-funded by Anthony Nolan, providing camp experiences for families of children who have had transplants.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DKMS: German-founded global non-profit operating one of the world's largest stem cell donor registries with over 12 million registered donors. Closely comparable to Anthony Nolan in mission, donor-recruitment model, HLA typing infrastructure, and global registry partnerships.
• National Marrow Donor Program (Be The Match): US-based non-profit operating the largest marrow registry in the world, matching donors with patients for life-saving transplants. Directly comparable to Anthony Nolan in registry operations, cord blood services, and patient support offerings.
• Gift of Life Marrow Registry: US-based non-profit stem cell and bone marrow donor registry focused on recruiting donors from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. Comparable to Anthony Nolan in mission, recruitment approach, and registry-based matching services.
• African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT): UK charity dedicated to recruiting stem cell donors from Black, African, Caribbean, and mixed ethnic backgrounds. Active partner of Anthony Nolan with directly overlapping donor recruitment mission and patient appeals.

Broad incumbents

• NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT): UK statutory body operating the British Bone Marrow Registry and cord blood banking alongside Anthony Nolan via the joint UK registry. Comparable as a peer UK registry operator with overlapping donor and transplant infrastructure.
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Large US-based voluntary health organization funding blood cancer research, patient services, and advocacy. Comparable to Anthony Nolan as a major blood cancer non-profit, though with a broader advocacy and research funding remit rather than registry operations.

Emerging players

• Sunflower Stem Cell Registry: Smaller donor registry that recruits stem cell donors and partners with other registries to facilitate matches. Comparable to Anthony Nolan in core donor-recruitment activity but at a meaningfully smaller scale.
• Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult: UK-based innovation centre accelerating cell and gene therapy development with laboratory, manufacturing, and clinical infrastructure. Comparable as a UK cell therapy ecosystem enabler intersecting with Anthony Nolan's Cell Therapy and Laboratory Services.
• eXmoor Pharma: UK cell and gene therapy CDMO providing process development and manufacturing services. Active commercial partner of Anthony Nolan Cell Therapy and Laboratory Services, comparable in cell therapy laboratory services delivery.

Regional players

• Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry: Operates Canada's OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network, providing donor recruitment and matching services outside the UK. Comparable in registry operations and cord blood banking, but serves a different national geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AnthonyNolan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AnthonyNolan
• Facebookfacebook.com/AnthonyNolan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/anthony-nolan
• Instagraminstagram.com/anthonynolancharity
• TikToktiktok.com/@anthonynolancharity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Anthony Nolan