Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia

What Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia does

Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia (GNA) is a non-profit neuroscience research group affiliated with Universidad de Antioquia, headquartered in Medellín, Colombia. Established in 1985, GNA studies, treats, and rehabilitates neurological and neuropsychological problems, with a mission spanning research, teaching, and clinical care. It is internationally recognized for identifying and longitudinally following the world's largest population with hereditary Alzheimer's disease — carriers of the Paisa mutation (E280A in Presenilin-1) — and for discovering protective genetic variants ApoE3Ch and Reelin-Colbos. The organization operates across five research units (Clinical Neuroscience, Neurogenetics, Neurobanco, Cellular/Molecular Neurobiology, Cellular Neurophysiology, and Neurodegeneratives/Neurochemistry) plus integrated clinical and social programs.

GNA's core technology portfolio combines longitudinal clinical and genetic data, a brain bank of over 500 specimens, more than 1,000 sequenced Colombian neurodegenerative disease genomes, and translational platforms including CRISPR-Cas9 iPSC editing, brain organoid and spheroid development, the SEREAL remote cognitive evaluation system, an early lipid biomarker detection platform, and patented synthetic hybrid molecules (Amantadine-M30D, Donepezil-M30D). It supports this with confocal microscopy, a bioterium with transgenic Alzheimer's mouse models, and a digital bioinformatics platform for neurogenetic diagnosis. The product set spans outpatient clinical consultations at SIU and Hospital Alma Máter, clinical trial site services (currently participating in the IGC Pharma CALMA Phase 2 trial and the DIAN-TU-001 platform trial), the PAIS CEREBRAL integrated brain health plan, the Neurosocial caregiver program, and graduate/postgraduate training through Universidad de Antioquia.

The business model is non-profit and grant-funded. Revenue is diversified across national and international research grants (Minciencias, NIH/Fogarty, NIA), clinical trial contracts with pharmaceutical sponsors (e.g., IGC Pharma, DIAN-TU network), clinical healthcare services at two Medellín facilities, laboratory and bioterium service fees, education programs through Universidad de Antioquia, and philanthropic donations channeled via Fundación Universidad de Antioquia. Customers include patients with neurodegenerative diseases and their families (primary), caregivers, students and trainee researchers, and enterprise clients (pharmaceutical sponsors and international academic collaborators). Employee compensation follows Colombian public-sector salary scales paid in Colombian Pesos.

Name

Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia

Legal name

Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia

Website

https://gna.org.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia (GNA) is a non-profit neuroscience research group affiliated with Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia. Founded in 1985, it studies, treats, and rehabilitates neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental conditions, operating Colombia's only brain bank and following the world's largest hereditary Alzheimer's population.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neuroscience Research and Clinical Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAKAIAO

Neurogenetics & Rare Neurologic Diseases

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Neurology

SECONDARYHLAKAIAA

General Neurology

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Neurology

SECONDARYHLAIAIAD

Rare Neurology & Neurodegenerative Disorder Therapies

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Pharmaceuticals/Orphan & Rare Disease Pharmaceuticals

SECONDARYHLAGACAF

Investigator & Site Training / GCP Support

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Clinical Trial Services & Site Management (SMO)

Keywords

• Neuroscience research
• Neurodegenerative disease studies
• Clinical trial services
• Brain bank operations
• Neurogenetics diagnostics

Headquarters

HQ city

Medellín

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Clinical Healthcare Services: GNA operates as a healthcare institution providing outpatient clinical services including neurology, genetics, geriatrics, psychiatry, psychology, speech therapy, clinical laboratory, and pharmaceutical services. Revenue generated through patient care at its SIU and Hospital Alma Máter facilities.
2. Research Grants and Clinical Trial Contracts: Funded by national and international research grants from Minciencias, NIH, Fogarty International, and clinical trial partnerships with pharmaceutical companies such as IGC Pharma. Major projects include DIAN-TU trials, CALMA trial expansion, and various Alzheimer's and Parkinson's research programs.
3. Research Support Services: Laboratory and research services including bioterium (transgenic Alzheimer's mice, cerebral ischemia models), microscopy and image analysis, cell differentiation, Mycoplasma identification, and biomarker detection services for external clients.
4. Education and Training: Graduate and postgraduate training programs through Universidad de Antioquia, including medical specialization, master's, and doctoral programs. International collaboration and exchange programs for researcher formation.
5. Donations and Philanthropic Funding: Donations channeled through the Foundation Universidad de Antioquia (Fundación UdeA) for educational programs, social support groups, caregiver training, recreation and interdisciplinary care for patients, families and caregivers participating in research projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GNA is a non-profit neuroscience research group that studies, treats, and rehabilitates neurological and neuropsychological problems of neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. It operates outpatient clinical services (neurology, psychiatry, genetics, geriatrics, speech therapy, laboratory, pharmacy) at two Medellín facilities; conducts basic and clinical research across neurogenetics, cellular/molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, and the Neurobanco brain bank; supports international clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases; and runs social support and education programs for patients, caregivers, and students.

Product overview

Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia (GNA) is a research institution affiliated with Universidad de Antioquia offering an integrated portfolio of clinical services, basic and clinical research, and community outreach. The core offerings include outpatient clinical consultations (neurology, psychiatry, genetics, geriatrics) at two facilities; research services spanning neurogenetics, cellular/molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, and a brain bank; clinical trial support; education from undergraduate to doctoral levels; and patient support programs including the PAIS CEREBRAL mental health plan and Neurosocial program. The research focuses on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and other neurodegenerative conditions, with international collaborations and significant discoveries including the Paisa mutation and protective genes ApoE3Ch and Reelin-Colbos.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PAIS CEREBRAL (Plan de Atención Integral en Salud Cerebral y Mental): Integral Health Plan for Brain and Mental Health — a comprehensive program for promoting brain and mental health, providing healthcare services, education, and social support for patients with neurodegenerative diseases and their families.
• Neurobanco

Products and services

• Outpatient Clinical Services at SIU (Sede de Investigación Universitaria) Outpatient clinical consultations at GNA's main research facility including neurology, genetics, geriatrics, psychiatry, psychology, speech therapy, clinical laboratory, and pharmaceutical services, with laboratory and pharmaceutical support, serving patients with neurodegenerative diseases and the general public in Medellín.
• Outpatient Clinical Services at Hospital Alma Máter Outpatient specialty consultations at Hospital Alma Máter de Antioquia including anesthesiology, nursing, internal medicine, and pediatric endocrinology for patients requiring those specialty services.
• Clinical Neuroscience Research Program Clinical research on neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Parkinson's, frontotemporal dementia, and cognitive impairment, with research objectives including discovering protective genes, validating biomarkers, identifying special populations, conducting prevention trials, developing organoids/spheroids, and developing therapies.
• Neurogenetics Research and Diagnostic Service Genetic research and diagnostic services for neurodegenerative diseases including genetic testing for autosomal dominant Alzheimer's, frontotemporal dementia, and Parkinson's, supported by a bioinformatics platform and DNA repository serving researchers and clinicians across Latin America.
• Neurobanco (Brain Bank)
• Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Research Basic neuroscience research on cellular and molecular mechanisms of cognitive decline and dementia, including biomarker development, neuroprotection studies, and preclinical drug testing using 2D and 3D cell models, led by Dr. Gloria Patricia Cardona Gómez.
• Cellular Neurophysiology Research Neurophysiology research on memory and learning mechanisms, including confocal microscopy services, image analysis, and development of synthetic neuroprotective molecules for Alzheimer's treatment, led by researcher Rafael Posada-Duque.
• Neurodegeneratives, Neurochemistry and Molecular Biology Research Research on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's diseases and cancer using 2D and 3D preclinical models including cerebral spheroids and mini-brains for therapeutic molecule testing.
• Bioterio and Animal Research Services Animal research facility providing transgenic Alzheimer's mouse models, cerebral ischemia models in rats, surgical procedures, neurological and behavioral assessment, and preclinical in vitro and in vivo neurodegeneration assays for external academic and industry clients.
• Confocal Microscopy and Image Analysis Service Microscopy service including confocal image processing and tissue scanner analysis for cellular and molecular research, offered to external clients.
• Molecular Diagnostics Service Molecular identification services including Mycoplasma detection in cell cultures, mesenchymal stem cell differentiation to neuronal lineage, and neuronal marker characterization under good laboratory practices, for external researchers.
• Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education Programs Undergraduate and postgraduate training including medical residencies, master's and doctoral programs, research seed programs (SINAPSIS), and international collaboration and exchange programs for medical, psychology, and biomedical students through Universidad de Antioquia.
• Continuing and Non-Formal Education in Neuroscience Continuing education including courses, workshops, internships, and congresses in neuroscience for individuals and community groups in both in-person and virtual formats.
• Neurosocial Patient and Caregiver Support Program Non-pharmacological patient and caregiver support including educational programs, support groups, home visits, recreational activities, and the AMPAD multimodal patient approach for Alzheimer's care for patients and families participating in research.
• PAIS CEREBRAL (Integral Brain and Mental Health Care Plan) Comprehensive brain and mental health care plan offering appointments, information services, research participation opportunities, brain donation programs, and community outreach for the general public, with the Dra. CerebraDORA virtual assistant for WhatsApp scheduling.
• Clinical Trial Support Services Comprehensive clinical trial services including nursing care, pharmacy management, laboratory services, neuropsychological evaluation, speech therapy, and medical coordination across multiple therapeutic areas, GCP-compliant and INVIMA-certified, for pharmaceutical sponsors such as IGC Pharma and the DIAN-TU network.
• Research Project Management and Quality Assurance Administrative coordination and quality management for research projects ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practices and regulatory requirements across GNA's research lines.

Quantifiable outcome

• Identified the 'Paisa' mutation (E280A in Presenilin-1) causing autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease in Colombian families
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IGC PharmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2026IGC Pharma partnered with GNA to expand its Phase 2 CALMA trial for IGC-AD1 into Colombia, adding GNA as a world-renowned research site to the clinical network. The trial has reached approximately 70% enrollment and expects to complete by mid-2026. The expansion broadens genetic diversity in the study and honors Dr. Francisco Lopera, the late founder of GNA.
• Columbia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Columbia University (NY, USA) through Dr. Estela Area Gomez and Dr. Eric Schon for research on mitochondrial dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease, including biofluid biomarker studies.
• Harvard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School's Department of Ophthalmology through Dr. Yakeel Quiroz and Dr. Pedro de la Torre for Alzheimer's research and neurovascular studies.
• University of California Santa BarbaracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational alliance with Dr. Kenneth S. Kosik's Neuroscience Research Institute for studying clinical, genetic, and socioeconomic aspects of dementia in Latin America.
• University of GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with University of Groningen (Netherlands) including sandwich PhD programs and joint research in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration with Dr. Amalia Dolga and Dr. Bart Eggen.
• CSIC - Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, EspañacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with CSIC's Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas (Spain) for neuroscience research and biomarker studies.
• Universidad de ChilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Universidad de Chile and BNI for neuroscience research including Dr. Cristian Gonzalez Billault's work and Department of Ophthalmology Harvard Medical School collaboration through Dr. Joseph F. Arboleda-Velasquez.
• Cleveland CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative agreement with Cleveland Clinic's Genomic Medicine Institute for the Latin American Research Consortium on the genetics of Parkinson's Disease (LARGE-PD) since 2010.
• Universidad de GranadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramework cooperation agreement with Universidad de Granada and the 'Comunicación Intercelular' research group since 2012, including the Pfizer-Universidad de Granada-Junta de Andalucía GENYO center.
• Penn UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Diana Castaño at Penn University (Senior Research) for gliovascular and neurodegenerative disease research.
• University of SherbrookeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Karl Fernandes at University of Sherbrooke's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences for neurodegenerative disease research.
• Clínica FOSCAL InternacionalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational alliance between Universidad de Antioquia and Clínica FOSCAL Internacional for advanced cell therapies since 2018.
• NIH - National Institutes of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding and research collaboration with NIH Fogarty International and National Institute on Aging for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease research in Latin America.
• Universidad de AntioquiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGNA is an official research group of Universidad de Antioquia, operating within its institutional framework for research, teaching, and healthcare services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health: Combines neurodegenerative disease research with clinical care, including active Parkinson's (LARGE-PD) collaboration directly with GNA. Mirrors the research-clinical integrated model with patient services and clinical trial recruitment.
• Columbia University Medical Center (Area Gomez / Schon Labs): Active GNA collaborator on mitochondrial dysfunction and Alzheimer's biomarker research. Comparable as a top-tier academic institution with parallel neurodegenerative disease research portfolio and clinical infrastructure.
• Banner Alzheimer's Institute: Non-profit research institute in Phoenix focused on Alzheimer's prevention, early detection, and clinical trials. Highly comparable to GNA as a non-profit research-clinical hybrid targeting the same autosomal-dominant and preclinical Alzheimer's populations.
• Massachusetts General Hospital (Yakeel Quiroz Lab): Harvard-affiliated hospital collaborating directly with GNA through Dr. Yakeel Quiroz on Colombian familial Alzheimer's research. Comparable as an academic medical center running Alzheimer's genetics and biomarker research with strong pharma trial participation.
• Butler Hospital Memory and Aging Program: Academic-affiliated Alzheimer's research and clinical program in the US. Comparable as a non-profit research-clinical hybrid focused on neurodegenerative disease treatment, biomarkers, and clinical trial participation with patient services.
• DIAN-TU (Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit): International clinical trial network focused on autosomal dominant Alzheimer's, the same population GNA serves with the Paisa cohort. GNA is an active site, making this a direct peer and partner in the same clinical research domain.

Broad incumbents

• Allen Institute for Brain Science: Large-scale non-profit brain research organization with brain banking and genome data resources. Similar non-profit structure and scientific mission around neurodegeneration and brain biology, though at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center: Major US academic medical center with a much larger research operation in neurodegenerative disease. While broader in scope and larger in scale, it competes for the same NIH grants and pharmaceutical clinical trial partnerships that GNA pursues.

Regional players

• Universidad de Chile - Instituto de Neurociencia: Chilean neuroscience research institute with active collaboration with GNA. Comparable as a Latin American academic neuroscience research group focused on neurodegeneration and brain research, serving a similar regional patient population.
• Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires - Departamento de Neurología: Major Argentine academic hospital with neurology research and clinical services. Comparable as a Spanish-speaking Latin American academic medical institution running neurodegenerative research with clinical care and clinical trial infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/neuroudea
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GrupodeNeurociencias
• Facebookfacebook.com/neurocienciasantioquia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grupo-neurociencias-de-antioquia
• Instagraminstagram.com/neuroudea/?hl=es

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia