Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

What Lankenau Institute for Medical Research does

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) is a private nonprofit biomedical research institute founded in 1927 and operated as the research division of the Main Line Health system, headquartered at 100 East Lancaster Avenue in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. The institute conducts basic and preclinical research in cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and other medical conditions, with a service portfolio spanning core facilities (LIMR Chemical Genomics Center offering Orthogonal Pooled Screening and the NARS automated compound repository; the Center for Human Antibody Technology focused on native human monoclonal antibodies), cardiac safety assessment services (wedge preparation assay with documented zero false positive/negative rates in blinded tests by GSK, J&J, Novartis, and FDA), and a clinical research infrastructure integrated with Lankenau Medical Center.

Name

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

Legal name

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

Website

https://limr.mainlinehealth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research is a nonprofit biomedical research institute operating as the research division of Main Line Health, conducting cancer, cardiovascular, and autoimmune research while licensing technologies, providing drug discovery services, and incubating biotech startups under its signature ACAPRENEURIAL model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomedical Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Clinical Trial Monitoring Support (On-site/Remote) (HLAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Molecular & Genomic LIMS (NGS/Bioinformatics Lab Ops) (HLACAMAC)

Keywords

• Biomedical research services
• Drug discovery platforms
• Technology licensing services
• Clinical diagnostics development
• Biotech incubator services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wynnewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Technology Licensing and IP Royalties: LIMR patents experimental tests and treatments and licenses technologies to biotech and pharmaceutical companies for development. Revenue generated through licensing fees, milestone payments, and royalty streams from commercialized products.
2. Equity Positions in Spinout Companies: The institute takes equity positions in companies that advance its mission, particularly 'spin-in' companies that trade space and services for equity. Financial return on success of inventors enables future sustainability for making new discoveries.
3. Research Services: LIMR provides research services to affiliated faculty, incubating companies, and physicians throughout Main Line Health, including basic and preclinical research services, cardiac safety assessment, and access to core facilities.
4. Biotech Incubator Space and Services: Biotech startup companies are incubated side-by-side with research laboratories. LIMR charges approximately $65 per sq. ft. for space plus overhead costs, with companies able to offer equity in trade for space and services.
5. Grant Funding: Primary funding from Lankenau Medical Center Foundation and Main Line Health system. Additional support from industry sponsors, foundations, and individual donors for specific research programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LIMR is a nonprofit biomedical research institute conducting fundamental and translational research in cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and other conditions. The institute commercializes discoveries through technology licensing to biotech and pharmaceutical companies, operates core research facilities (LIMR Chemical Genomics Center and Center for Human Antibody Technology), runs a biotech incubator housing approximately 16 startup companies, develops proprietary diagnostic tests and clinical devices, and conducts clinical trials through its partnership with the Main Line Health system.

Product overview

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) operates as a medical research institute organized around the proprietary ACAPRENEURIAL model, which focuses on invention, intellectual property and new company development. The organization provides a unified portfolio of research services centered on core facilities including the LIMR Chemical Genomics Center (LCGC) offering orthogonal pooled screening and combinatorial drug discovery with proprietary compound libraries exceeding 150,000 molecules, and the Center for Human Antibody Technology (CHAT) providing human monoclonal antibody cloning services. LIMR's product suite includes clinical diagnostic tests such as MyNauseaRisk (chemotherapy-induced nausea prediction), Synovasure (joint infection detection), and TIMP-4 (breast cancer prognosis), along with therapeutic candidates including Indoximod. The institute also operates a biotech incubator housing approximately 16 startup companies, and Lankenau Ventures (a 2021 joint venture) commercializes clinical devices invented by frontline healthcare workers including the HealDot hydrogel, HealSuture, and various hospital safety devices. Additional offerings include cardiac safety assessment services using wedge prep technology, rapid assays (CellCountEZ, ThiOX Test), and reagents for drug discovery. LIMR maintains active partnerships with biotechnology companies including Boehringer Ingelheim, Zimmer Biomet, and various startups for technology development and licensing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ACAPRENEURIAL: LIMR's signature model that focuses on invention, intellectual property and new company development, with a secondary goal of pursuing new academic knowledge.
• Acapreneurial
• Lankenau Ventures
• Lankenau Chemical Genomics Center (LCGC)
• Center for Human Antibody Technology (CHAT)
• Cardiovascular Research Group (CRG)
• MyNauseaRisk
• Double-Blinded Drug Discovery (DBD2)

Products and services

• LIMR Chemical Genomics Center (LCGC) State-of-the-art drug discovery core facility offering orthogonal pooled screening technology that enables five-fold improvement in lead-finding efficiency with 80 percent cost reduction for pharmaceutical R&D. Provides combinatorial HTS services, automated compound repository, and proprietary chemical libraries exceeding 150,000 molecules for academic and industry scientists worldwide.
• Center for Human Antibody Technology (CHAT) Core facility using a powerful human antibody cloning platform technology that produces native human monoclonal antibodies with high affinity and minimal off-target binding for treating infectious disease, cancer, and neurological illnesses. Offers high-throughput antibody production and screening as a regional resource for academic investigators.
• Lankenau Ventures Joint venture business established to accelerate development and commercialization of medical inventions conceived by Main Line Health frontline healthcare workers. Focus areas include hospital room safety devices, EMR add-on software, clinical tests, and clinical devices.
• Biotech Incubator Incubator program that provides lab space, research services, IP management, and the ACAPRENEURIAL approach to early-stage biotech companies. Currently houses approximately 16 startup companies side-by-side with LIMR research laboratories. Space available at approximately $65 per sq. ft. plus overhead, with companies able to offer equity in trade for space and services.
• MyNauseaRisk Proprietary blood-based assay that reliably predicts which cancer patients will experience delayed-onset nausea after chemotherapy before chemotherapy is administered, with over 80% specificity. Enables oncologists to tailor prophylactic care for high-risk individuals. Covered by U.S. Patent No. 9,766,226.
• TIMP-4 Test Prognostic marker test for triple-negative breast cancer that determines if small TNBC tumors are aggressive and best treated with chemotherapy. Especially relevant for TNBC subgroup patients who lack estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors.
• Synovasure FDA-authorized product that tests patients' synovial fluid for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), most often seen in knee and hip replacements. Detects a peptide released by neutrophils with markedly better sensitivity and specificity than other available tests.
• Indoximod Small molecule drug in late-stage clinical development targeting the IDO pathway with a distinct mechanism of action for cancer immunotherapy. Developed through collaboration between NewLink Genetics Corp. and LIMR.
• Cardiac Safety Assessment Services Drug safety assessment services using arterially perfused ventricular wedge preparation, hERG analysis, and cardiomyocyte testing. The wedge prep assay delivers quick, accurate preclinical testing for drug-induced QT interval prolongation by recording electrical and mechanical signals from slices of heart tissue. Validated by blinded tests at GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and FDA.
• HealDot Subcutaneous hydrogel designed to enable non-scarring regenerative healing. An off-the-shelf modality that captures latent epimorphic healing capability in patients.
• HealSuture Dissolving suture clinical device that reprograms tissue microenvironment capabilities to limit scar tissue formation during surgical wound healing.
• CellCountEZ Rapid laboratory test to accurately measure relative cell numbers in tissue culture. Superior to common tests with high linearity to greatest cell densities achievable without compromising cell viability, enabling longitudinal measurements from large bioreactor cell cultures.
• ThiOX Test Rapid assay to measure thiol antioxidant capacity in cells and tissues, addressing the need for monitoring thiol oxidative stress in live cells and tissues.
• Boursiquot Accu-Catheter Novel device for retracting and retaining labia during female catheter insertion. Inexpensive to manufacture and developed by a Main Line Health advanced nurse clinician.
• Wadsworth Fall Injury Prevention Device Device designed by a senior nursing administrator that detects, protects and prevents injury in healthcare settings. Includes sensor for detecting fall conditions and compact airbag/cushion-deployment device.
• Rogers Limb-Support Device Height- and position-adjustable support device for supporting limbs in wide range of positions during medical procedures and recovery. Invented by a nurse to facilitate wound care.
• Essex Toileting Privacy Screen Device allowing patients to be supervised in bathroom while maintaining privacy. Developed by a Main Line Health administrator.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero false positives and false negatives in blinded cardiac safety tests by GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and FDA
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Early Charm VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Early Charm is a Baltimore-based venture studio that creates, owns and operates companies in advanced materials, drug discovery, AG Tech, and engineered products. They are a co-founder of Lankenau Ventures joint venture focused on accelerating development and commercialization of clinical devices invented by Main Line Health frontline healthcare workers.
• L2C PartnerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019L2C Partners was retained as manager of LIMR's intellectual property portfolio to support technology transfer and commercialization. They are a co-founder of Lankenau Ventures joint venture established in 2021. Founded in 2015, L2C Partners provides outsourced technology transfer and commercialization services in pharma, bioscience, and tech categories.
• Boehringer IngelheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoehringer Ingelheim's blood thinner dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa) was pioneered in clinical trials administered through LIMR. A collaboration funded by the company also promised to extend the drug's use to cancer patients.
• Genisphere LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenisphere collaborated with LIMR in the development of a therapy targeting the mRNA-binding protein HuR using 3DNA nano-carriers for treating ovarian cancer. LIMR researchers also used 3DNA nanotherapy to successfully deliver low-dose treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Acquired by Code Biotherapeutics in 2021.
• MYNARI BiomedicalcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMYNARI Biomedical, based in Fort Washington, PA, is developing and commercializing MyNauseaRisk, a LIMR-developed blood assay that reliably and objectively predicts which cancer patients are most likely to experience acute nausea after chemotherapy.
• OCMS Bio, LLCcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOCMS Bio, LLC (Wynnewood, PA) is commercializing On-Cell mAb Screening (OCMS), a novel technology developed at LIMR that produces monoclonal antibodies. OCMS improves standard technology by enabling rapid identification and isolation of B cells secreting antibodies with desired characteristics.
• Duet TherapeuticscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerDuet Therapeutics, Inc. (Princeton, NJ) is commercializing LIMR-developed inventions to treat common, age-associated forms of blindness, including diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, using IDO1 and RhoB targeting drug technologies.
• IO BiotechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIO Biotech is working with LIMR on a novel cancer vaccine methodology. Preclinical studies showed that animals treated with the experimental approach had total remission of cancers and complete protection against re-introduction of tumor cells. IO Biotech owns the intellectual property.
• Dynamis TherapeuticsminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerDynamis Therapeutics is developing a small molecule drug for the treatment of diabetic complications and other autoimmune diseases. The drug was discovered in collaboration with LIMR scientists.
• Telesis TherapeuticsminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerTelesis Therapeutics is developing a small molecule cancer drug discovered at LIMR. They acquired rights to one of the institute's antimetabolite drug technologies for cancer treatment in 2015. LIMR's first minority-owned licensee.
• ProActive HealthSciencesminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerProActive HealthSciences is developing a method to treat esophageal cancer based on studies done at LIMR.
• ImmunomecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerImmunome was launched by LIMR's Scott Dessain, MD, PhD, in 2007 to develop his human antibody cloning technology. The company went public in 2020 as LIMR's second spinoff to go public. Human monoclonal antibody technology has been licensed to Immunome for commercial antibody cloning services.
• NewLink Genetics Corp.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerNewLink Genetics went public in 2012 after acquiring LIMR's first startup company (OncoRx) in 2005. Conducted research at LIMR opening clinical trials that included Main Line Health from 2005-2011. Acquired LIMR Development Inc. in 2009. Eventually acquired by Lumos Pharma in 2020.
• CD DiagnosticscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerStarted by Lankenau orthopedic surgeon Carl Deirmengian, MD, to develop his point-of-care infection detection device used during joint replacement surgery in 2010. Acquired by Zimmer Biomet in 2016. Company's Synovasure product received FDA approval in 2019.
• Zimmer BiometcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerZimmer Biomet acquired CD Diagnostics in 2016. CD Diagnostics' paradigm-shifting product, Synovasure, is an FDA-authorized product that tests patients' synovial fluid for periprosthetic joint infection.
• CureDM Inc.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCureDM Inc. traded shares for space and services at LIMR in 2006, becoming the first spin-in company. LIMR's first all-female-led company. Advances development of diabetes treatment technology pioneered by Lankenau endocrinologist Claresa Levatan, MD. Acquired by Boston Therapeutics Inc. in 2018, which merged with Nanomix Inc. in 2021.
• LIMR Development Inc.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLIMR Development Inc. was LIMR's first fully owned spin-out in 2007. It licensed the institute's IDO2 gene, antibody and drug technology for commercial development. Acquired by NewLink Genetics in 2009.
• Main Line HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain Line Health is the parent health system of LIMR. LIMR serves as the research division of Main Line Health. The health system provides support for LIMR's budget along with the Lankenau Medical Center Foundation.
• University of PennsylvaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CHAT (Center for Human Antibody Technology) at LIMR has collaborations with researchers at the University of Pennsylvania for cloning human antibodies.
• Thomas Jefferson UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIMR researchers hold academic appointments at Thomas Jefferson University. George Prendergast is Professor in the Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology at Sidney Kimmel College of Medicine. Gan-Xin Yan is Professor of Medicine at the university. Alexander Muller is Adjunct at the Kimmel Cancer Center.
• Fox Chase Cancer CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CHAT (Center for Human Antibody Technology) at LIMR has collaborations with researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center for cloning human antibodies.
• Trinity College DublinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CHAT (Center for Human Antibody Technology) at LIMR has collaborations with researchers at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland for cloning human antibodies.
• Dana-Farber Cancer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScott Dessain completed his Fellowship in Medical Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The institute provides collaborative research opportunities for LIMR researchers.
• Brigham and Women's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScott Dessain completed his Internal Medicine residency and internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The institute provides collaborative research opportunities for LIMR researchers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Allen Institute: Nonprofit research organization pursuing large-scale, mission-driven science with active technology-transfer and spinout programs. Peer to LIMR in nonprofit-research operating model and translational ambitions across biology and medicine.
• Scripps Research: Nonprofit research institute with extensive drug discovery and antibody platform capabilities, plus a substantial spinoff and licensing footprint. Operates a hybrid academic-commercial model that closely resembles LIMR's ACAPRENEURIAL structure at meaningfully larger scale.
• Stowers Institute for Medical Research: Private nonprofit biomedical research institute with multi-decade IP generation and technology-transfer track record across basic biology, regenerative medicine, and disease research. Direct peer in operating model, governance, and commercialization focus.
• Broad Institute: Major nonprofit biomedical and genomic research organization with significant industry collaborations and a portfolio of spinouts and licensing deals. Direct peer in translational genomics and large-scale partnership-driven IP generation.
• Salk Institute for Biological Studies: Nonprofit basic research institute with a long history of biomedical breakthroughs and a structured technology-transfer program generating IP and commercial spinouts. Direct peer in nonprofit research, IP generation, and licensing operations.
• The Wistar Institute: Independent nonprofit biomedical research institute based in Philadelphia, conducting basic and translational research in cancer, immunology, and infectious disease with a similarly active technology-transfer and spinout pipeline. Comparable in size, mission, and geographic and functional overlap with LIMR.
• Fox Chase Cancer Center: NCI-designated cancer research center in Philadelphia conducting translational research with an established technology transfer and licensing office; LIMR has direct research collaborations with Fox Chase on human antibody technology, making it a close functional peer.
• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Long-standing nonprofit research organization with active cancer biology, neuroscience, and quantitative biology programs; runs a major spinoff/licensing program and a biomedical incubator model analogous to LIMR's ACAPRENEURIAL approach.
• La Jolla Institute for Immunology: Nonprofit research organization focused on immunology and infectious disease with strong academic publication output, technology transfer activities, and industry collaborations. Direct peer in nonprofit-translational-research positioning to LIMR.

Broad incumbents

• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: Large biopharmaceutical company with strong academic-tie DNA, antibody-platform technology, and significant drug-discovery R&D. Comparable to LIMR in antibody technology orientation and academic-rooted culture, but operates at vastly greater scale as a public, product-revenue biotech.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MainLineHealth
• Facebookfacebook.com/mainlinehealth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/limr
• Instagraminstagram.com/mainlinehealth
• Pinterestpinterest.com/mainlinehealth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Lankenau Institute for Medical Research