Fundación Instituto Leloir
Fundación Instituto Leloir is a Buenos Aires-based nonprofit biomedical research foundation, founded in 1947 and affiliated with Argentina's CONICET. It conducts basic and translational research across cancer, virology, neuroscience, and plant biology, developing ANMAT-approved diagnostics (COVIDAR, Detect-AR) and vaccine candidates.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersBuenos Aires, Argentina
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Fundación Instituto Leloir does
Fundación Instituto Leloir (FIL) is a private nonprofit biomedical research foundation founded in 1947 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, named after Nobel laureate Luis F. Leloir. The foundation operates 14+ research laboratories organized across eight disciplinary areas — cancer, cellular and developmental biology, biochemistry and structural biology, plant biology, bioinformatics and computational biology, neurosciences, and microbiology and infectious diseases — and serves as a primary translational research partner under Argentina's CONICET framework. It produces peer-reviewed basic science, trains doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, and develops diagnostic kits and vaccine candidates including the COVIDAR IgG/IgM serological tests (the first Argentine ANMAT-approved SARS-CoV-2 serology products), the COVIDAR IgG Quantitative kit aligned to WHO standards, Detect-AR Dengue, the CoroVaxG.3 second-generation adenoviral COVID-19 vaccine candidate, and the VACCIMEL/CSF-470 melanoma vaccine currently in Phase II. Its technology transfer arm, INIS-Biotech, licenses laboratory IP to biotech startups (e.g., Vaxinz for vaccines), and its Agencia CYTA handles science journalism and public outreach.
The foundation's revenue is sourced from government grants (Ministry of Science, CONICET, Agencia I+D+i), international collaborations and grants (FOCEM, GSK, Mount Sinai, UNIFESP), private donations, and licensing/technology transfer royalties — there is no commercial product pricing model. Clinical research collaborations span Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Hospital de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Hospital de Gastroenterología Dr. Carlos Bonorino Udaondo, and Hospital de Clínicas UBA, with genomic and clinical datasets such as PoblAr (5,000 participants) and the US-LACRN breast cancer network (1,500+ patients across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay) feeding Latin-American–specific precision medicine work. Its GTM is community-led: scientific publications, public outreach (e.g., the "Salsa golf" YouTube streaming show launched September 2025), journalism courses, and seminars are the primary channels for engaging both scientific and lay stakeholders.
Fil does not operate a unified commercial software product; its outputs are scientific publications, clinical collaborations, diagnostic kits (manufactured through partners such as Laboratorio Lemos), and licensed vaccine/therapeutic candidates advanced through partners including MabXcience and Sinergium. Leadership includes President Vanesa Gottifredi (also head of the Cell Cycle and Genomic Stability Laboratory) and Director Angeles Zorreguieta, with senior CONICET investigators leading each laboratory (notably Andrea Gamarnik for molecular virology and Osvaldo Podhajcer for molecular and cellular therapy). The foundation's competitive position rests on its scientific talent, Nobel-associated brand, ANMAT regulatory clearances, and embedded relationships with Argentine hospitals and CONICET, all of which compound its ability to translate research into nationally relevant diagnostics and vaccines.
Fundación Instituto Leloir firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fundación Instituto Leloir
- Legal name
- Fundación Instituto Leloir
- Website
- https://leloir.org.ar
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Fundación Instituto Leloir is a Buenos Aires-based nonprofit biomedical research foundation, founded in 1947 and affiliated with Argentina's CONICET. It conducts basic and translational research across cancer, virology, neuroscience, and plant biology, developing ANMAT-approved diagnostics (COVIDAR, Detect-AR) and vaccine candidates.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fundación Instituto Leloir industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biomedical Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) (HLAJAOAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)
Keywords
Where Fundación Instituto Leloir is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Buenos Aires
- HQ country
- Argentina
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Fundación Instituto Leloir business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Funding from Argentine government agencies including Ministry of Science, CONICET, and Agencia Nacional de Promoción de la Investigación, el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación (Agencia I+D+i)
- Private Donations: Donations from individuals and organizations supporting scientific research
- Licensing and Technology Transfer: Several laboratory products licensed to biotechnology startups; technology transfer through INIS-Biotech office
- International Collaborations and Grants: Funding from international sources such as Fondo para la Convergencia del Mercosur (FOCEM), GSK, and other international partnerships
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Fundación Instituto Leloir product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fundación Instituto Leloir is a private nonprofit biomedical research foundation that conducts fundamental and translational research across cancer, virology, neuroscience, plant biology, and bioinformatics. It develops and transfers proprietary diagnostic kits (COVIDAR for SARS-CoV-2, Detect-AR Dengue), vaccine candidates (CoroVaxG.3, VACCIMEL), and licensed laboratory technologies through its INIS-Biotech office, while training PhD scientists and postdoctoral researchers.
Product overview
Fundación Instituto Leloir is a nonprofit biomedical research foundation that conducts basic and translational scientific research across multiple biological disciplines. The institute does not operate a unified commercial software product but develops diagnostic tools and vaccine candidates through its research laboratories. Key offerings include serological test kits for SARS-CoV-2 (COVIDAR IgG/IgM), a dengue antigen test (Kit Detect-AR Dengue), and vaccine candidates including CoroVaxG.3 for COVID-19 and VACCIMEL for melanoma. Research activities span cancer, virology, neuroscience, cell biology, bioinformatics, and plant biology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- COVIDAR IgG and IgM Test Kits Serological test kits that detect IgG and IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in blood samples. The first Argentine-approved tests for COVID-19, used by healthcare networks and government agencies for immune response monitoring and plasma donor selection.
- CoroVaxG.3 COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Second-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed using a hybrid adenoviral vector platform, designed for single-dose durable immunity against different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Developed in partnership with Vaxinz and CONICET, with industrial-scale production via MabXcience and Sinergium.
- Kit Detect-AR Dengue Rapid antigen test for dengue diagnosis developed by the foundation's Molecular Virology Laboratory. The first national dengue antigen test in Argentina, declared of national interest by the Chamber of Deputies.
- VACCIMEL (CSF-470) Melanoma Vaccine Cancer vaccine for melanoma developed by the Laboratory of Cancerology. In Phase II clinical trials in Argentina with 50% of treated patients remaining relapse-free at 96 months and compatibility with subsequent immunotherapy.
- INIS-Biotech Technology Transfer and Licensing Services Formal technology transfer office of the foundation that licenses laboratory products (including COVIDAR and CoroVaxG.3-related technologies) to biotechnology startups and coordinates industry partnerships, providing a structured commercialization pathway for academic research outputs.
Quantifiable outcome
- COVID-19 vaccine candidate showed 100% immune response in preclinical studies maintaining levels for 5 months
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Fundación Instituto Leloir
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Fundación Instituto Leloir technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Fundación Instituto Leloir partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Universidad AustralcoreMarco Convenio de Cooperación signed to promote joint research projects, training, and technological linking. Aims to strengthen scientific and academic articulation and contribute to knowledge development and innovation.
- Corecell TherapeuticscoreStartup developing innovative stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease. Agreement to develop precursors of certain human neurons affected in Parkinson's patients. Strategy could also serve for treating cardiac conditions or diabetes.
- Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA)flagshipMarco Convenio de Cooperación signed to promote joint work in innovation and research projects. Focus areas include neurosciences, immunology, infectious diseases, and precision medicine. Twice-yearly 'Punto de Encuentro' meetings held alternately at each institution. Existing collaborations included work on multiple sclerosis preclinical studies and COVID-19 plasma analysis.
- VaxinzflagshipBiotechnology company focused on vaccine development. Partnership with FIL and CONICET for development of second-generation COVID-19 vaccine (CoroVaxG.3). Established agreements with MabXcience for industrial-scale vaccine production and Sinergium for fill-and-finish and distribution.
- CONICETflagshipNational Scientific and Technical Research Council. Primary research partner providing researchers and institutional framework for most research activities.
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)coreBritish pharmaceutical company providing $1 million over 3 years for cancer research consortium of 14 research groups focused on identifying natural products for cancer treatment.
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC)coreCollaboration on drug discovery project identifying natural products with selective toxicity against breast and ovarian tumors. Includes use of high-performance flow cytometry platform.
- Hospital de Gastroenterología Dr. Carlos Bonorino UdaondocoreCollaboration on colorectal cancer research combining clinical data from patients with genetic analysis of tumors.
- Hospital de Pediatría Juan P. GarrahancoreCollaborative research on pediatric retinoblastoma and Stargardt disease genetic studies.
- Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín - UBAcoreCollaboration on COVID-19 serological studies and antibody response analysis.
- ANLIS-MalbráncoreNational laboratory conducting preclinical efficacy studies for vaccine candidates against different SARS-CoV-2 variants.
- Centro de Medicina Comparada (CONICET-UNL)coreOnly center in Argentine scientific system with OECD Good Laboratory Practice certification. Conducting preclinical regulatory studies harmonizing ANMAT requirements.
- Escuela Paulista de Medicina - UNIFESP (Brasil)coreStrategic alliance for neutralization assays against different SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly P.1 variant.
- Mount Sinai School of Medicine (Nueva York)minorCollaboration on COVID-19 immune response research.
- MabXciencecoreLocal company producing active vaccine compound (currently producing AstraZeneca vaccine component) engaged for industrial-scale production of CoroVaxG.3.
- SinergiumcoreVaccine production and distribution company engaged for fill-and-finish stage and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Fundación Instituto Leloir competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Institut Pasteur: French-founded global biomedical research foundation with network of institutes worldwide, focused on infectious diseases, vaccines, and diagnostics. Comparable as a premier nonprofit research foundation with strong diagnostic/vaccine portfolio, though operating at much larger global scale.
- The Wistar Institute: US nonprofit biomedical research institute in Philadelphia with particular focus on vaccines, infectious diseases, and cancer. Comparable as a foundation-model research institute with vaccine/diagnostic development, government and industry grants, and training mission.
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies: US nonprofit basic research institute in La Jolla focused on cancer, neuroscience, immunology, and plant biology. Highly comparable thematic research areas (cancer, neuroscience, plant biology) and similar nonprofit foundation structure with government grants and philanthropy.
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing / Max Planck Society: German government-funded basic research foundation with multiple specialized biomedical institutes. Comparable as a nonprofit research foundation model with government funding, training mandate, and basic/translational research programs, though at much larger scale and broader scientific scope.
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research: US nonprofit biomedical research institute funded by private endowment, conducting basic research in gene regulation, regeneration, and cancer. Comparable as a foundation-funded biomedical research institution with training programs and disease-focused research portfolio.
- CONICET (Argentina): Argentina's national scientific and technical research council, providing researchers and institutional framework across all scientific disciplines. FIL operates under CONICET's umbrella; comparable as the primary scientific research body in Argentina but with broader mandate across all sciences.
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB): South Korean government-funded bioscience and biotechnology research institute with diagnostics, vaccine, and biotech translation. Comparable as a national-scale research institute combining government funding with biotech product development.
Direct peers
- VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie): Belgian life sciences research institute with biotech translation focus, conducting basic research and spinning out companies. Comparable model combining academic-style research labs with active technology transfer and commercial partnerships.
- Butantan Institute: Brazilian biomedical research foundation in São Paulo that develops and manufactures vaccines and diagnostics, partnered with government and industry. Highly comparable model: nonprofit research foundation with translational pipeline, public health mission, and tech transfer to commercial partners.
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz): Brazilian federal biomedical research foundation focused on infectious diseases, vaccine and diagnostic production, and public health. Directly comparable as a Latin American research foundation combining basic research with product development and government funding.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fundación Instituto Leloir social profiles
Digital presenceFundación Instituto Leloir financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fundación Instituto Leloir leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Fundación Instituto Leloir subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Fundación Instituto Leloir funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Fundación Instituto Leloir M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fundación Instituto Leloir
What does Fundación Instituto Leloir do?
Fundación Instituto Leloir is a private nonprofit biomedical research foundation that conducts fundamental and translational research across cancer, virology, neuroscience, plant biology, and bioinformatics. It develops and transfers proprietary diagnostic kits (COVIDAR for SARS-CoV-2, Detect-AR Dengue), vaccine candidates (CoroVaxG.3, VACCIMEL), and licensed laboratory technologies through its INIS-Biotech office, while training PhD scientists and postdoctoral researchers.
Is Fundación Instituto Leloir a public or private company?
Fundación Instituto Leloir is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Fundación Instituto Leloir founded?
Fundación Instituto Leloir was founded in 1947. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Fundación Instituto Leloir based?
Fundación Instituto Leloir is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the Latin America region.
How does Fundación Instituto Leloir make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are private Donations, licensing and Technology Transfer and international Collaborations and Grants.
Who are Fundación Instituto Leloir's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Institut Pasteur, The Wistar Institute, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing / Max Planck Society, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, CONICET (Argentina) and Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB). Direct peers are VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie), Butantan Institute and Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz).
Does Fundación Instituto Leloir have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fundación Instituto Leloir.
What industry is Fundación Instituto Leloir in?
Fundación Instituto Leloir's product category is Biomedical Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAOAM, Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs), with a secondary code of BPAGACAA, Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.