LifeNet Health LifeSciences

What LifeNet Health LifeSciences does

LifeNet Health LifeSciences is a division of LifeNet Health, an independent non-profit tissue bank and organ procurement organization founded in 1982 and headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The LifeSciences division, formed in 2016 and rebranded under its current name in January 2021, supplies primary human cells, tissues, biospecimens, and in vitro assay services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agriscience, food safety, cosmetics, government, and academic customers, claiming to serve 19 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies in safety, efficacy, and PKDM research.

The division's commercial portfolio centers on TruVivo, an all-human 2D+ hepatic co-culture system launched in April 2023 that maintains hepatocellular morphology for 42 days in vitro, supplemented by primary human hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, liver endothelial cells, hepatocyte media, and snap-frozen/FFPE liver tissue. Underlying platform technology includes the HuBiogel all-human hydrogel acquired from Vivo Biosciences in November 2016, a 112-genotype next-generation sequencing characterization service for drug-metabolizing enzymes, and a pipeline of all-human models (3D Thyroid Microtissue Model, Human Hepatocyte Tri-culture Model) and under-development products (HuGentra extracellular matrices, iPSCs, 3D bioprinting). Operations are conducted across four U.S. sites: Virginia Beach (headquarters), Research Triangle Park (opened November 2016), San Diego (opened May 2019), and Kalamazoo, Michigan (Assay Services Lab, ISO 9001:2015 certified February 2026).

LifeNet Health LifeSciences generates revenue through product sales of primary cells, tissues, and biospecimens, fee-for-service assay work (DMPK/ADMET, biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, NAMs, dermal, epithelial, ocular, endocrine disruption), and technology licensing (including HuBiogel). The company uses a quote-based, custom-protocol sales model executed via direct enterprise sales and partnership channels such as CN Bio (organ-on-a-chip distribution) and Inotiv (Discovery and Translational Sciences), with distribution primarily through its own field sales team and global conference presence rather than resellers.

Name

LifeNet Health LifeSciences

Legal name

LifeNet Health, Inc.

Website

https://lnhlifesciences.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

LifeNet Health LifeSciences is a non-profit division of LifeNet Health that supplies primary human cells, tissues, biospecimens, and in vitro assay services, including the TruVivo all-human hepatic system, to pharmaceutical, biotech, agriscience, cosmetics, government, and academic researchers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cell-Based Assay Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

In Vitro Toxicology (Cell-based/Organ-on-chip) (HLAGAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

In Vitro Model Systems & Organoid Platforms (iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems) (HLAAAIAJ)

Keywords

• Primary human hepatocytes
• In vitro toxicology services
• Biospecimen research solutions
• ADME DMPK assays
• Hepatic cell models

Headquarters

HQ city

Virginia Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Primary Human Cells and Tissues: Sale of primary human hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, liver endothelial cells, thyrocytes, and companion tissue samples (snap-frozen and FFPE) to pharmaceutical, biotech, and research organizations for drug discovery, ADME/DMPK, and toxicology applications.
2. Biospecimens for Research: Recovery and provision of human biospecimens from various tissue types (50+ tissue types, neurological tissues, liver tissue) for preclinical research applications. Includes custom protocol development and prospective collection services.
3. Assay Services: DMPK/ADMET testing, biocompatibility assays, cytotoxicity screenings, dermal assays, epithelial irritation and toxicity testing, ocular assays, and endocrine disruption assays. Services follow ISO 9001:2015 standards and offer GLP-compliant studies.
4. Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary technologies including HuBiogel™ and advanced hepatic models to pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

LifeNet Health LifeSciences sells primary human cells (hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, liver endothelial cells), human biospecimens and tissue products (snap-frozen, FFPE, neurological), proprietary all-human in vitro model systems (TruVivo 2D+ hepatic triculture, HuBiogel 3D hydrogel), and contract assay services (DMPK/ADMET, biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, dermal, ocular, epithelial, endocrine disruption, NAMs) to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agriscience, cosmetics, government, and academic research customers for drug discovery, safety assessment, and disease modeling.

Product overview

LifeNet Health LifeSciences is a division of LifeNet Health that provides human cell- and tissue-based research solutions for pharmaceutical, biotech, agriscience, food safety, and cosmetic industries. The core product portfolio centers on TruVivo, an all-human 2D+ hepatic system for ADME/DMPK, toxicology, and disease modeling applications. Supporting products include primary human hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, liver endothelial cells, hepatocyte media, and liver tissue products (snap-frozen and FFPE). The company also offers comprehensive assay services including DMPK/ADMET, biocompatibility assays, cytotoxicity screenings, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), dermal assays, epithelial assays, ocular assays, and endocrine disruption assays. Innovation pipeline includes Human Hepatocyte Tri-culture Model, 3D Thyroid Microtissue Model, Oncology Testing Services, Non-Liver Primary Human Cells, Human Pancreatic Islet Cells, Proprietary Human-Derived Extracellular Matrices (HuBiogel, HuGentra), iPSCs, and 3D Bioprinting capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TruVivo: All-human 2D+ hepatic system for ADME/DMPK, toxicology and disease modeling applications. The biggest co-culture advancement in more than a decade, offering stable, reliable results.
• TruVivo Flex
• HuBiogel
• HuGentra
• TruVivo Hepatic System

Products and services

• TruVivo Hepatic System An all-human 2D+ hepatic system that supports ADME/DMPK, toxicology and disease modeling applications. Combines primary human hepatocytes co-cultured with human feeder cells (Kupffer, stellate, liver endothelial) and maintains hepatocellular morphology and metabolic activity for 42 days in vitro, addressing chronic-toxicity and disease-modeling use cases that conventional monoculture systems cannot.
• Primary Human Hepatocytes Cryopreserved and fresh primary human hepatocytes isolated from healthy and diseased donors, supplied to pharmaceutical and biotech researchers for drug discovery, ADME/DMPK, and toxicology studies.
• Kupffer Cells Isolated and cryopreserved primary human Kupffer cells (liver-resident macrophages) used by researchers for liver disease and toxicity studies, including co-culture applications.
• Hepatic Stellate Cells Primary human hepatic stellate cells sourced from healthy and diseased human livers, supplied to researchers for fibrosis research and drug discovery targeting anti-fibrotic therapeutics.
• Liver Endothelial Cells Primary human liver endothelial cells provided to researchers for liver biology and in vitro model applications.
• Hepatocyte Media Specialized cell culture media formulations for maintaining primary human hepatocytes in culture, sold as a companion reagent to the cell products.
• Liver Tissue Products (Snap-Frozen and FFPE) Snap-frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human liver tissue samples for genomic, proteomic, and histopathological research.
• Human Biospecimens High-quality human biospecimens, including neurological tissues recovered under enhanced donor family consent processes, supplied to academic, government, and industry researchers.
• DMPK/ADMET Assay Services Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) and ADMET assay services provided to pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners for preclinical drug characterization and regulatory submissions.
• Biocompatibility Assays Assay services that evaluate the biocompatibility of compounds and materials, supplied to industry clients for safety assessment.
• Cytotoxicity Screenings Cytotoxicity screening services that assess compound-induced cell toxicity, offered as part of the in vitro testing menu.
• New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of new drug candidates fail during clinical trials due to toxicity or lack of efficacy; in vitro ADME/ADMET testing can filter inappropriate candidates early, saving billions in development costs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers27 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and strategic.

• CN BiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 September 2023Partnership to supply and distribute hepatic cells to CN Bio, a leading organ-on-a-chip company that manufactures single- and multi-organ MPS platforms. LifeNet Health provides high-quality, reliable 3D cells to complement CN Bio's MPS platforms, addressing the challenge of accessing consistent, high-quality cell sources for microphysiological systems.
• IONTOX, LLCsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 August 2022Acquisition of biotechnology firm IONTOX to launch new Cell-Based Assay Services offering in vitro screening options as alternatives to animal testing for safer, more effective novel compound discovery.
• Pure MHC, LLCsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2021Collaboration with Pure MHC for the Peptide HLA Immunotherapy Data Resource (PHIDR), built through collaboration with LifeNet Health as a trusted provider of transplant solutions and leader in regenerative medicine.
• Samsara SciencessupportingTechnology or Integration · 7 November 2019Asset acquisition of San Diego-based Samsara Sciences specializing in human primary liver and kidney cell isolation, including equipment, inventory and associated technology.
• University of Alabama-BirminghamsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 November 2016Continuation of Vivo Biosciences' relationship with UAB following acquisition of assets in November 2016. Vivo Biosciences was founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 2004 as the first to develop all-human bioassay platforms.
• Inotiv, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInotiv, Inc. leverages LifeNet Health's proprietary TruVivo 2D+ hepatic system within its Discovery and Translational Sciences business to accelerate development of safer, more effective therapies through human-relevant science.
• Henry M. Jackson FoundationstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeNet Health was selected to recover biospecimens for the largest Department of Defense-funded CTE scientific research project at USUHS (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences), aiming to advance treatment options for U.S. service members over a five-year period.
• Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to support the Brain Tissue Repository (BTR) program helping better understand military traumatic brain injury (TBI), the most common wound of recent wars affecting more than 260,000 servicemen and women.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeNet Health LifeSciences was one of eight biospecimen providers chosen for the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project, creating a data resource to investigate genetic variation and gene expression across multiple human tissues. Over 17,000 samples from nearly 1,000 individuals across 54 non-diseased tissues have been processed.
• Cosmetics EuropesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Skin-Liver-Thyroid MPS Model as part of Cosmetics Europe's Long-Range Research Strategy (LRSS) for animal-free cosmetics testing, supporting the EPA's directive to eliminate mammal studies by 2035.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for development and standardization of the Human Thyroid Microtissue Assay as a New Approach Methodology (NAM). LifeNet Health supplies primary human thyroid epithelial cells (thyrocytes) for the EPA's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Dr. Alan Grodzinsky's lab for osteoarthritis research using all-human tissues, including ground control studies comparing with International Space Station samples.
• Van Andel Research InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on best practices for management and use of biospecimens, specifically around identification of variables on biospecimen quality and processing that impact research results.
• Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research program through CNRM supporting the Brain Tissue Repository (BTR) to study military traumatic brain injury (TBI) and develop new medical analyses and treatments.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Emulate Bio: Emulate develops organ-on-chip platforms for liver, lung, intestine and other tissues and is a named customer of LifeNet Health LifeSciences for cell supply. Both companies target the same NAMs opportunity but Emulate focuses on the chip hardware while LifeSciences supplies the cells and assay services.
• CN Bio: CN Bio is an organ-on-chip / microphysiological systems company supplying liver MPS platforms. CN Bio is both a partner (distributing hepatic cells from LifeNet Health) and a competitor in the broader MPS / NAMs space, serving overlapping pharma customers.

Direct peers

• InSphero: InSphero is a named customer of LifeNet Health LifeSciences and a direct peer in 3D microtissue models for drug testing and toxicology. Both organizations serve pharma customers seeking human-relevant preclinical models with similar product positioning.
• Inotiv: Inotiv is both a strategic partner (embedding TruVivo in its Discovery and Translational Sciences business) and a direct competitor in preclinical contract research and biospecimens. As an active NAMs provider to pharma, it represents the closest operational overlap with LifeNet Health LifeSciences.
• Crown Bioscience: Crown Bioscience (JSR Life Sciences) provides preclinical CRO services including in vitro ADME and oncology models with global pharma service. Both companies compete in translational pharmacology and biospecimen provision.
• ATCC: ATCC is a non-profit biological materials resource providing cell lines and primary cells for research, similarly structured as a non-profit entity serving academic and pharma researchers. Both organizations serve as repositories and characterization providers for biological research inputs.
• BioIVT: BioIVT is a direct competitor providing human biospecimens, primary cells, and research services to pharmaceutical and biotech researchers. Both companies sell hepatocytes, disease-state tissue samples, and ADMET testing services to overlapping pharma R&D customers.

Broad incumbents

• Charles River Laboratories: Charles River is a broad CRO incumbent offering ADME/DMPK, safety assessment, and biospecimen services. Many of the same top-20 pharma customers use both organizations for PKDM research, though Charles River's scale and animal-model heritage position it differently than the all-human NAM strategy of LifeSciences.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher Scientific is a broad life sciences tools and services incumbent offering cell culture reagents, primary cells, and pharma services. Its scale and breadth place it as an incumbent competitor across virtually every LifeNet Health LifeSciences product category.
• Lonza Group: Lonza is a global contract manufacturer and life sciences tools incumbent offering primary cells, cell culture media, and ADMET services at much greater scale. Overlap with LifeNet Health LifeSciences is direct in the hepatocyte and liver-cell segment, though Lonza serves a broader portfolio of customers and geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifenet-health-lifesciences
• Xx.com/LifeNetHealth
• Facebookfacebook.com/LifeNetHealth

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LifeNet Health LifeSciences