Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Rosario

What Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Rosario does

IBR (Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario) is a non-profit public research institute founded in 1990 and affiliated with Argentina's CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council) and the National University of Rosario (UNR). It concentrates on molecular and cellular biology across four verticals — microbiology, biomedicine, structural biology and agrobiotechnology — through 25 research groups and a workforce of more than 240 people, including researchers, technicians, doctoral and postdoctoral fellows. The institute maintains two facilities in Rosario: a 3,600 m² headquarters at the CCT Rosario CONICET campus and a 500 m² secondary site at UNR's Faculty of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The institute monetizes its scientific capacity through three revenue streams: pay-as-you-go technical services to companies and research institutions via dedicated technological platforms (PLABEM for structural biology and metabolomics; the Mass Spectrometry Unit with a Q Exactive HF Orbitrap spectrometer; the Microscopy Unit with a ZEISS LSM880 confocal system; and the Aquarium Unit for Danio rerio zebrafish models); recurring public research funding from CONICET, UNR, ANPCyT and the associated Fundación IBR; and technology-transfer income through Bio.R, the first biotechnology accelerator created by CONICET, which has spawned at least eleven technology-based companies (Inmet, Keclon, Detxmol, Fecundis, Exomas, Caspr, Biolideres, Syocin, Mosquita Feed, Kresko, BioClé) and holds patents registered in the USA, EU and China. Its customer base spans more than 40 SMEs and large enterprises and more than 50 scientific institutions and startups.

IBR distributes its services through direct technical-platform inquiries, a formal SNEM appointment system, the Bio.R incubator channel, and international research collaborations with institutions including EMBL, Max Planck and Novartis. Outreach and reputation channels include the BioLeaders and Libreciencia programs, open days, school visits, a regular seminar cycle (Seminarios Fronteras en Ciencias Biológicas), and an email newsletter, while management oversight transitioned in April 2026 with Alejandro Vila succeeding Javier Palatnik as director after six years.

Name

Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Rosario

Legal name

Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario

Website

https://ibr-conicet.gov.ar

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IBR is a non-profit CONICET/UNR research institute in Rosario, Argentina, with 240+ staff across 25 groups in microbiology, biomedicine, structural biology and agrobiotechnology, providing pay-as-you-go analytical services via Orbitrap, NMR, microscopy and zebrafish platforms and running the Bio.R biotech startup accelerator.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotechnology Research and Scientific Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioinformatics, Multi-Omics Data Analysis & Interpretation Services (HLAGANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB), Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF), Multiplex & High-Throughput Diagnostics Platforms (microarrays, digital PCR, lab automation-enabled assays) (HLAAALAL), Genomic & Multi-Omic Biomarkers (NGS panels, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) (HLAAAMAJ)

Keywords

• Molecular biology research
• Structural biology services
• Mass spectrometry analysis
• Biotechnology research services
• Proteomics and metabolomics

Headquarters

HQ city

Rosario

HQ country

Argentina

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Technical and Scientific Services: The institute provides high-complexity technical services to more than 40 SMEs, large companies, and over 50 scientific institutions and startups. Services are fee-based with publicly available tariff schedules. Service areas include mass spectrometry, microscopy, structural biology, metabolomics, and zebrafish models.
2. Public Research Funding: Core operations funded by government bodies including CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council), National University of Rosario (UNR), and the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion (ANPCyT). The institute also receives financing from international collaborations and the Foundation IBR (non-profit foundation supporting scientific knowledge generation and transfer).
3. Technology Transfer and Startup Ecosystem: The institute generates technology-based companies (EBTs) from research knowledge. IBR has a Technology Transfer Office and the BioR Accelerator to support spin-offs. Revenue is generated through intellectual property licensing, equity in spin-offs, and contracted R&D services with companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

IBR provides high-complexity scientific and technical services through four specialized platforms: the Mass Spectrometry Unit (proteomics, protein identification, post-translational modification analysis); the Structural Biology and Metabolomics Platform (PLABEM) for NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and protein analysis; the Microscopy Unit (confocal, fluorescence, stereoscopic); and the Aquarium Unit for zebrafish vertebrate models. These services are supported by 12 scientists and 9 technicians serving more than 40 SMEs, large companies, and 50+ scientific institutions, with the Bio.R Accelerator adding biotech startup incubation capability.

Product overview

IBR is a research institute affiliated with CONICET and the National University of Rosario that offers scientific and technological services through its technological platforms and units. The main service offerings include the Argentine Platform for Structural Biology and Metabolomics (PLABEM) providing protein structural analysis and metabolomics; the Mass Spectrometry Unit for proteomics and protein identification; the Microscopy Unit for confocal and optical microscopy; the Aquarium Unit for zebrafish research models; and the Bio.R Accelerator for biotech startup development. These services are available to researchers, companies, and institutions, with 12 scientists and 9 technicians of international caliber providing support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bio.R Accelerator: First biotechnology projects accelerator created by CONICET in Argentina, supporting technology-based companies emerging from IBR's scientific research
• Fundación IBR
• Libreciencia
• BioLeaders

Products and services

• Plataforma Argentina de Biolog\u00eda Estructural y Metabol\u00f3mica (PLABEM) A technological platform providing protein structural analysis through NMR spectroscopy (n-dimensional), circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, protein stability analysis (Thermal Shift), metabolomic analysis by NMR, automated protein crystallization, X-ray diffraction data collection at synchrotron, and protein structure resolution from X-ray diffraction. Serves scientific researchers, institutions, and companies requiring structural biology and metabolomics analyses.
• Unidad de Espectrometr\u00eda de Masa (UEM) Mass spectrometry service providing protein identification, label-free relative quantification (LFQ), post-translational modification analysis, and identification of heterologous proteins and mutations in complex samples. Operates a Q Exactive HF (Orbitrap High Field) mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific) with nanoHPLC Ultimate3000 and 2D electrophoresis (Protean II). Serves academic, pharmaceutical, food, and biotechnology research clients.
• Unidad de Microscop\u00eda Microscopy service unit offering confocal laser scanning microscopy (ZEISS LSM880 with 6 laser lines and spectral detection 400-700 nm), optical fluorescence microscopy (Nikon Eclipse E800/Eclipse Ni-U), and stereoscopic microscopy (Olympus IMT2 RFL, BH2 RFC, Leica MZ16F, Olympus MVX10). Includes cell culture chambers with temperature and CO2 control and long-term focal plane maintenance. Serves researchers and companies needing high-resolution cellular imaging.
• Unidad Acuario (Zebrafish Facility) Aquarium unit providing specialized advisory for controlled reproduction, embryo production, adult specimen generation, water quality management, and zebrafish (Danio rerio) husbandry. Features controlled recirculation aquarium systems, reverse osmosis equipment, crossing tanks, culture incubators, and a microinjection system. Provides zebrafish embryos and adults for vertebrate disease modeling and drug testing. Serves biomedical and pharmaceutical researchers.
• Bio.R Accelerator Biotechnology startup accelerator providing physical laboratory space, offices, meeting rooms, and access to IBR instrumentation along with technical assistance for project formulation, business plans, funding search, and intellectual property guidance. Serves technology-based companies (EBTs) emerging from IBR's research, including spin-offs such as Inmet, Keclon, Detxmol, Fecundis, Exomas, Caspr, Biolideres, Syocin, Mosquita Feed, Kresko, and BioClé.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 240 people including researchers, technicians, and fellows across 25 research groups producing internationally competitive scientific output.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Hospital CentenariocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2016IBR collaborates with Hospital Centenario (Rosario) through its metabolomics unit, establishing a direct connection between IBR's metabolomics group and hospital physicians. The collaboration enables translational medicine by linking basic research with clinical practice, with the hospital providing clinical space and patient samples while IBR provides equipment and expertise for metabolomic analyses.
• Over 40 SMEs and large companies (service clients)coreOthersMore than 40 small and medium enterprises and large companies utilize IBR's high-complexity technical services including mass spectrometry, microscopy, and structural biology platforms.
• Over 50 scientific institutions and startupscoreOthersIBR's technological platforms have engaged over 50 scientific institutions, companies, and technological startups in recent years through shared-use core facilities.
• BioR Accelerator startups (Inmet, Keclon, Detxmol, Fecundis, Exomas, Caspr, Biolideres, Syocin, Mosquita Feed, Kresko, BioClé)coreOthersTechnology-based companies (EBTs) created by IBR researchers and staff, many housed in the BioR Accelerator. These companies transform scientific discoveries into commercial products in areas including biotechnology, healthcare, and agriculture.
• PLABEM (Plataforma Argentina de Biología Estructural y Metabolómica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLABEM is a multi-institutional platform hosted at IBR that provides structural biology and metabolomics services to the scientific community and industry, serving as the fundamental organ for promoting structural biology development in Argentina and channeling collaborative projects between Argentine and international researchers including EMBL.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Charles River Laboratories: Global CRO providing discovery and safety assessment services including bioanalytical, biomarkers and cellular models; comparable service portfolio for biotech/pharma clients that IBR serves through UEM and the Aquarium zebrafish unit.
• Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics: Non-profit basic research institute combining molecular cell biology, advanced imaging, and proteomics core facilities used externally; size and structure make it a benchmark for IBR's research-group + core-facility composition.
• Bruker Corporation: Manufacturer of NMR spectrometers (incl. 600/700 MHz) and high-resolution mass spectrometers; PLABEM and IBR's UEM operate Bruker/Thermo instruments, so Bruker is the upstream incumbent whose installed base defines IBR's service offering.
• European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL): Public intergovernmental research lab operating core facilities in structural biology, proteomics, and metabolomics for member states and industry; IBR is a documented collaborator through PLABEM and operates on a comparable core-facility model at smaller scale.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global commercial CRO/lab-services network offering proteomics, metabolomics, and microscopy assays to industry; the scaled private counterpart to IBR's public core-facility model.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Manufacturer of the Q Exactive HF Orbitrap used in IBR's Mass Spectrometry Unit; as a dominant life-sciences tools + CRO (PPD) incumbent, comparable as the broader ecosystem player IBR plugs into.

Regional players

• Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) CCT Rosario ecosystem: Parent institutional framework for IBR and a dozen peer institutes on the CCT Rosario campus (IIRos, IFIR, INTA, etc.) — the relevant regional ecosystem for shared talent, funding, and infrastructure.

Direct peers

• INTA (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria): Argentine public AgBiotech research organization that, like IBR, conducts agrobiotechnology R&D and transfers technology to industry; directly comparable in the agrobiotechnology track of IBR's portfolio.
• Fundación Instituto Leloir: Argentine non-profit research institute in molecular biology and biochemistry, also affiliated with CONICET, running platforms in proteomics, genomics, and structural biology and commercializing services; the closest analogue to IBR in Argentina.
• Institut Pasteur de Montevideo: Regional non-profit life-sciences research institute in Montevideo, Uruguay, offering high-end platforms (proteomics, genomics) and translational services to industry — closest regional peer after Leloir.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IBR_CONICET
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfUuCUUppI7BfQka_6P4BXQ
• Instagraminstagram.com/ibr.conicet.unr
• Facebookfacebook.com/IBRRosario
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ibr-conicet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Rosario