Pecet

What Pecet does

PECET (Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales) is a multidisciplinary tropical disease research program operating within the Faculty of Medicine at Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia, founded in 1985. The organization operates four research groups (PECET, GIC Clinical Research, Bio3 Molecular Biology, and Preclinical Studies), supported by specialized infrastructure including an SPF and conventional biotherium, an insectary, molecular biology and cell culture laboratories, and a bios insumos prototyping lab. Its GIC-PECET clinical research group holds INVIMA Good Clinical Practices certification (renewed November 2024), enabling Phase I-IV clinical trials and observational research for pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors.

PECET serves three primary customer segments: pharmaceutical and biotech companies seeking clinical trial and preclinical study execution; government health agencies and international organizations (DNDi, PAHO/WHO, Chinese CDC, Colombian Ministry of Science) requiring tropical disease research support; and academic/research institutions pursuing collaborative studies and student training. It has developed two notable commercialized patents: a hydrogel wound-healing polymer matrix (granted 2020, licensed to Laboratorios América S.A. in November 2024) and a saponin-based active ingredient derived from Sapindus saponaria (licensed to Ecohome S.A.S. in March 2025), targeting an estimated USD 1 billion global saponin market.

Revenue is generated through fee-for-service clinical and preclinical research contracts, technology licensing and royalties, and academic training programs. The organization is led by Director Sara María Robledo Restrepo and GIC-PECET Coordinator Liliana López Carvajal, and operates as a non-traded university research unit with no venture capital or independent corporate ownership.

Name

Pecet

Legal name

Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET) - Universidad de Antioquia

Website

https://pecet-colombia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

PECET is a multidisciplinary tropical disease research program at Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia, providing INVIMA-certified clinical trial services, preclinical studies, and laboratory capabilities to pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, government health agencies, and academic partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Research Organization / Clinical Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Impurity / Reference Standard Synthesis & Characterization (HLAGAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Biologicals Regulatory, Testing & Quality Assurance Services (AFABAEAO)

Keywords

• Tropical disease research
• Clinical research services
• Preclinical studies
• Neglected tropical diseases
• Leishmaniasis research

Headquarters

HQ city

Medellín

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin 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. Clinical research services: Fee-for-service clinical trial execution for pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and government agencies. GIC-PECET provides Phase I-IV clinical trial services certified in Good Clinical Practices by INVIMA, serving both national and international sponsors.
2. Preclinical research services: Contract preclinical studies for product development in human, animal, and environmental health, utilizing SPF biotherium, cell culture, and entomology facilities.
3. Specialized laboratory services: Molecular biology, cell culture, clinical laboratory, and entomology testing services provided to external clients including pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
4. Training and education services: Academic internships, research stays, and academic practicums for national and foreign undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professional training in tropical diseases.
5. Technology licensing and royalties: Patent licensing agreements for commercial exploitation of research-developed intellectual property, including the saponin patent licensed to Ecohome S.A.S. and the hydrogel patent licensed to Laboratorios América S.A. Revenue is generated through licensing fees and ongoing royalties.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PECET (Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales) is a multidisciplinary research program of the Universidad de Antioquia that conducts tropical disease research and provides INVIMA-certified clinical trial services (GIC-PECET), preclinical studies, molecular biology, cell culture, and entomology laboratory services to pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and government health agencies. It also commercializes patented technologies such as a wound-healing hydrogel (licensed to Laboratorios América S.A.) and saponin-based compounds (licensed to Ecohome S.A.S.).

Product overview

PECET operates as a multidisciplinary research program within the Universidad de Antioquia, providing specialized research services rather than a unified software product. Their portfolio includes clinical research services (GIC-PECET), preclinical studies, molecular biology services, entomology, focus studies for tropical diseases, and specialized medical consultations. Two key technology transfers have emerged: Hidrogel (a wound healing polymeric matrix for cutaneous leishmaniasis and skin lesions) and saponin-based compounds (for cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceutical applications).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hidrogel A patented polymeric matrix developed for therapeutic use in cutaneous leishmaniasis and various skin lesions including viral ulcers, burns, abrasions, insect bites, and post-surgical wounds. Licensed to Laboratorios América S.A. for nationwide Colombian sales in dermocosmetic and medical device applications.
• Saponin-Based Compounds Natural bioactive compounds derived from Sapindus Saponaria extract combined with witaolide compounds via chemical synthesis, with industrial applications in cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceutical formulations including wound healing and cosmetic properties. Result of 18 years of research and protected by patent and industrial trade secret.
• Clinical Research Services (GIC-PECET) INVIMA-certified Good Clinical Practices clinical trial services (Phase I-IV), observational studies, and real-world evidence evaluation for pharmaceutical, biotech, and government sponsors evaluating safety and efficacy of new treatments, medications, and medical procedures.
• Preclinical Studies Services Preclinical research services for the development of products for human, animal, and environmental health, utilizing SPF biotherium, cell culture, and entomology facilities for contract preclinical studies.
• Molecular Biology Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 47 successful technology licenses generated by Universidad de Antioquia, including patents developed by PECET
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ecohome S.A.S.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2025La Universidad de Antioquia and Ecohome S.A.S. signed a license agreement for the commercial exploitation of a saponin patent (developed by PECET and the Natural Products Organic Chemistry group) and an industrial trade secret for improved saponin production. The saponin active ingredient has applications in cosmetic, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. Ecohome, based in La Ceja, Antioquia, aims to enter the global saponin market (estimated USD 1 billion) targeting 1% of the global triterpene saponin market, implementing a regenerative and community-based supply chain.
• Laboratorios América S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024License agreement for the commercialization of the hydrogel wound-healing patent. Laboratorios América S.A. (over 50 years of pharmaceutical experience) will handle mass manufacturing and nationwide commercialization of the hydrogel product for dermocosmetic and medical device applications. The partnership includes ongoing collaboration to develop a portfolio of derivative products and explore future innovations in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
• Unravel Biosciences, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2024Clinical trial collaboration for RVL-001 in Rett syndrome and Pitt syndrome. GIC-PECET (INVIMA-certified clinical research group) will conduct the clinical trials using its clinical research infrastructure in Medellín, Colombia. Unravel Biosciences provides the AI-developed drug candidate for rare diseases.
• Universidad de AntioquiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution. PECET is a research program of the Universidad de Antioquia's Faculty of Medicine, with infrastructure in the University's research headquarters (Sede de Investigación Universitaria). The partnership provides access to academic resources, student talent, institutional infrastructure, and technology transfer services through the OTRI (Office of Technology Transfer).
• DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit research initiative partner for neglected tropical diseases. Listed among PECET's clients and allies.
• IQVIAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal CRO listed as a client and ally of PECET, representing potential channel for clinical trial referrals and collaboration.
• PPD Investigator Services, LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCRO listed as a client and ally for clinical research collaboration.
• Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical company listed as a client and ally of PECET for vaccine and prevention research collaboration.
• Novartis Pharmaceutical CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical company listed as a client and ally of PECET.
• Chinese Center for Disease Control and PreventionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational public health agency partner listed among PECET's clients and allies.
• PAHO/WHO (Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPECET founder Iván Darío Vélez invited to the Strategic Advisory Group on Disease Elimination, and WorldLeish congress organized under international health authority frameworks. PAHO/WHO recognition of PECET's tropical disease research leadership.
• Tigermed / Hongkong Tigermed CominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCRO listed among PECET's clients and allies for clinical research collaboration.
• Universidad de SantanderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian university partner listed among academic collaboration allies.
• Universidad Pontificia BolivarianaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian university partner listed among academic collaboration allies.
• Universidad de Los AndesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian university partner listed among academic collaboration allies.
• Universidad de MünsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman university partner listed among international academic collaboration allies.
• Universidad de McGillminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian university partner listed among international academic collaboration allies.
• Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra (IPBLN) de Granada, EspañaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish research institute partner listed among international academic collaboration allies.
• CIFOR (Centro para la Investigación Forestal Internacional)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational forestry research center (Guyana) listed among PECET's allies.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine: Germany's central tropical medicine research institute combining clinical research, laboratory diagnostics, and preclinical studies under an academic structure. Highly comparable to PECET in operating model, scientific disciplines (entomology, molecular biology, clinical research), and tropical disease focus.
• Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine: Specialized tropical medicine research and training institution offering clinical trial services, preclinical research, and product development partnerships. Directly comparable to PECET in mission (tropical disease control), academic structure, and CRO-like service delivery, with similarly strong industry and government partnerships.
• Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz): Brazil's leading public health research institution, conducting tropical disease research, clinical trials, vaccine development, and technology transfer. Directly comparable to PECET in Latin American context, public/academic structure, tropical disease focus, and combined research-clinical-manufacturing capabilities, though at much larger scale.
• London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM): University-affiliated tropical disease research and clinical trials organization with global partnerships. Closely comparable to PECET in operating model (academic research unit combining clinical trials, laboratory science, and training) and disease focus (neglected tropical diseases), though based in a different geography and at much larger scale.
• Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD): French public research organization conducting interdisciplinary research on tropical and developing-country health issues, with strong presence in Latin America. Comparable to PECET in tropical disease research focus, multi-disciplinary platform, and partnerships with developing-country institutions.
• Butantan Institute: Brazilian public research institute producing vaccines and biopharmaceuticals with strong academic linkages, tropical disease research, and technology transfer operations. Comparable to PECET in Latin American academic-public structure, biological product development, and tropical disease pipeline.

Broad incumbents

• IQVIA: World's largest CRO with extensive Phase I-IV clinical trial capabilities across all therapeutic areas including tropical diseases. Listed as a PECET partner; broader incumbent that operates at global scale while PECET serves as a regional specialized site.
• WuXi AppTec: Global CRO/CDMO offering preclinical, clinical, and small-molecule development services. Overlaps with PECET's clinical research and API/saponin development offerings, though at vastly larger scale and broader scope.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global preclinical and clinical CRO offering laboratory services, animal research, and biopharma partnerships across many disease areas. Overlaps with PECET's preclinical and clinical research offerings at much larger global scale; represents a potential partner or competitive threat.

Emerging players

• DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative): Non-profit product development partnership advancing treatments for neglected tropical diseases. Listed as a PECET ally; comparable in mission focus on neglected tropical disease drug development, though DNDi operates as a sponsor/funder rather than a CRO or research institution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pecetcolombia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pecet

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pecet