McLaughlin Research Institute

What McLaughlin Research Institute does

McLaughlin Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit biomedical research institute founded in 1954 and headquartered in Great Falls, Montana. Following a 2025 partnership with Touro University, it now operates as the Weissman Hood Institute at Touro University (WHIT/MRI), described as the only independent biomedical research institute in Montana and the closest such institution to more than two-thirds of Montana residents. The institute is structured around the Center for Integrated Biomedical and Rural Health Research (CIB-RHR), which contains the CIB-RHR Administrative Core and GEMMA Core, and the McLaughlin Resource Centers, which bundle Clinical Research, Animal Resource Center, Contract Research, Animal Health, Animal Welfare, and the HERO Registry.

Research activities target neurodegenerative and prion diseases, with dedicated programs in Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease), Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and broader brain health. A proprietary protein-misfolding assay for ALS detection constitutes a notable technical differentiator, alongside an Alzheimer's disease research program supported by an NIH grant exceeding $3.1 million and a large prestigious NIH award of $13.8 million. The institute delivers research outputs through scientific publications, community events, and outreach, and offers training pathways including summer internships and, via the Touro partnership, Montana's only Medical Science Training Program (MSTP) for MD/PhD candidates.

McLaughlin Research Institute is funded almost entirely through federal research grants (principally NIH), tax-deductible charitable donations, and a contract research offering to external organizations. It does not sell commercial products or services. Customer and stakeholder segments include Montana's rural and urban communities (research participation, education, HERO Registry enrollment), Touro University Montana medical students (MSTP training), and science interns and trainees; the Touro University-affiliated health provider system serves as a clinical collaboration partner. The organization employs 51-100 staff and reports leadership including Dr. Tiffany Hensley-McBain as Associate Professor, Associate Dean of Research, and Interim Director following a May 2025 promotion.

Name

McLaughlin Research Institute

Legal name

McLaughlin Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Inc.

Website

https://mclaughlinresearch.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

McLaughlin Research Institute is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit biomedical research organization in Great Falls, Montana, studying Alzheimer's, ALS, Chronic Wasting Disease, and rural health, and serving as the closest such institute to most Montana residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomedical Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAGAI

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Medical & Health Sciences Universities

SECONDARYHLAKAIAO

Neurogenetics & Rare Neurologic Diseases

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Neurology

SECONDARYEDAHAGAA

Academic Medical Centers & Teaching Hospitals (University-Affiliated)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Medical & Health Sciences Universities

SECONDARYBPAGACAA

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

Keywords

• Biomedical research
• Neurodegenerative disease research
• Translational research
• Clinical research services
• Rural health research

Headquarters

HQ city

Great Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Research Grants: Primary revenue stream from competitive federal research grants, including National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. Major grants include $13.8M NIH award and $3.1M+ Alzheimer research grant.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting biomedical research. Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with EIN 81-0459235.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

McLaughlin Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit biomedical research organization that conducts basic, translational, and clinical research on brain health and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, ALS, Parkinson's, Chronic Wasting Disease). It operates research resource centers (Clinical Research, Animal Resource Center, Contract Research, Animal Health/Welfare, HERO Registry) and the Center for Integrated Biomedical and Rural Health Research (CIB-RHR), and—in partnership with Touro University—Montana's only Medical Science Training Program (MSTP).

Product overview

McLaughlin Research Institute is a biomedical research institution (501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 81-0459235) operating as the closest biomedical research institution to more than two-thirds of Montana residents. The Institute provides a unified research ecosystem comprising several interconnected resource centers and programs: the Clinical Research center, Animal Resource Center, Contract Research services, Animal Health and Welfare divisions, and the HERO Registry. The institution also houses the Center for Integrated Biomedical and Rural Health Research (CIB-RHR), which includes the CIB-RHR Administrative Core and CIB-RHR GEMMA Core. Through a partnership with Touro University, the Institute offers Montana's only Medical Science Training Program (MSTP). Research focus areas include brain health, Alzheimer's disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and Chronic Wasting Disease. The Institute facilitates complementary approaches spanning basic, translational, and clinical aspects of human disease research relevant to rural communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CIB-RHR: Center for Integrated Biomedical Research and Rural Health Research - an organized research center at the institute
• McLaughlin Resource Centers

Products and services

• Clinical Research Clinical research services providing human subject research and clinical trial capabilities focused on diseases relevant to rural populations in Montana.
• Animal Resource Center Centralized animal research facility supporting biomedical research with resources for animal model studies and welfare monitoring.
• Contract Research Fee-for-service biomedical research capabilities offered to external organizations seeking specialized research support.
• Animal Health Veterinary health services and monitoring for research animals, ensuring welfare and compliance with research standards.
• Animal Welfare Program ensuring ethical treatment and proper care protocols for animals used in biomedical research.
• HERO Registry Health and research participant registry facilitating recruitment and engagement of human subjects for clinical and biomedical research studies.
• Center for Integrated Biomedical and Rural Health Research (CIB-RHR) The Institute's primary research center combining basic and translational research strength, with the CIB-RHR Administrative Core and GEMMA Core supporting integrated biomedical and rural health studies.
• Medical Science Training Program (MSTP) Montana's only Medical Science Training Program, offered in partnership with Touro University, providing combined medical and research training for medical students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 175 applications received in recent recruitment with Montana residents greatly over-represented
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Touro UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTouro University and McLaughlin Research Institute launched Montana's only Medical Science Training Program (MSTP), available for Touro University Montana medical students. The institute is the first center in Montana to combine the basic and translational research strength of the only independent biomedical research institute in the state, with training opportunities and research resources of the only nonprofit medical school in the state.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Allen Institute for Brain Science: Independent nonprofit brain-science research institute. Closely comparable as a nonprofit, mission-driven neuroscience/biomedical research organization, although larger and better funded; competes for similar NIH neuroscience talent and grants.
• Banner Alzheimer's Institute: Nonprofit dedicated to Alzheimer's disease research, treatment, and prevention at the intersection of basic, translational, and clinical research—directly overlapping MRI's flagship Alzheimer's program.
• ALS Therapy Development Institute: The world's largest nonprofit biotech focused exclusively on ALS research. Directly comparable in disease focus (ALS), nonprofit structure, and translational research mandate.
• The Jackson Laboratory: Independent nonprofit biomedical research institute with major animal-model and genomics capabilities. Comparable as an NIH-funded, nonprofit research institute operating an Animal Resource Center and contract research services.
• Buck Institute for Research on Aging: Independent nonprofit dedicated to research on aging and age-related diseases including Alzheimer's. Comparable in disease focus, nonprofit structure, and reliance on NIH grant funding.
• Gladstone Institutes: Independent nonprofit biomedical research institute affiliated with UCSF focused on neuroscience, cardiovascular, and immunology. Comparable as an independent, grant-funded nonprofit research institute with neuroscience depth.
• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Independent research and educational institution with strength in neuroscience, cancer biology, and quantitative biology. Comparable in operating model: private nonprofit research institute with NIH dependence and graduate training.
• Salk Institute for Biological Studies: Independent nonprofit biological research institute focused on neuroscience, aging, and disease. Closely comparable in mission, structure, and grant-funded research model.

Broad incumbents

• Touro University: Parent/academic partner organization. A nonprofit university with a college of osteopathic medicine; comparable because it is now the parent of the rebranded MRI entity and co-operates the MSTP program.

Emerging players

• Barrow Neurological Foundation: Nonprofit foundation supporting neurology and neuroscience research and clinical care. Comparable as a neurology-focused nonprofit competitor for NIH neuroscience funding and donor dollars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mclaughlinresearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about McLaughlin Research Institute