What BioRescue does

BioRescue is an international, publicly funded research consortium initiated in 2019 to prevent the extinction of the Northern White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), a critically endangered subspecies reduced to two surviving females (Najin and Fatu), both unable to carry pregnancies naturally. The project is led by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) in Berlin, with the legal hosting entity being the non-profit Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., and is primarily funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF/BMFTR) under grant 01LC1902A, supplemented by private foundations and public donations.

The consortium's core technology is Advanced Assisted Reproduction Technologies (aART) — specifically ovum pick-up (OPU), in-vitro maturation, piezo-intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) fertilisation, embryo culture to blastocyst, cryopreservation, and embryo transfer into surrogate southern white rhino mothers — combined with Stem Cell Associated Techniques (SCAT) for generating functional oocytes and sperm from pluripotent stem cells to expand limited genetic diversity. BioRescue has produced 38 pure NWR embryos from 21 OPUs in female Fatu (2019–2025), with an additional embryo announced April 2026, and achieved the world's first confirmed 70-day rhinoceros pregnancy in September 2023. Three subsequent pure-NWR embryo transfers (July 2024, December 2024, May 2025) have not yet produced a live birth. The consortium also developed ETHAS, a systematic ethical assessment tool extended in 2024 to cover genome resource banking.

The consortium's operating model is non-commercial: it does not sell products or services and has no disclosed revenue. It operates through a network of core scientific partners (Leibniz-IZW, Max Delbrück Center, Avantea, University of Padua, University of Osaka, Kyushu University, Safari Park Dvůr Králové) and on-the-ground execution partners in Kenya (Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya Wildlife Service, Wildlife Research and Training Institute), under regulatory oversight from Kenyan and German authorities. Outputs are disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, press, documentary media, and donation channels.

Name

BioRescue

Legal name

Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.

Website

https://biorescue.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

BioRescue is an international, publicly funded research consortium developing advanced assisted reproduction and stem cell technologies to save the Northern White Rhino from extinction, producing embryos for transfer into surrogate southern white rhino mothers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Biotechnology

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Cell & Gene Therapy for Veterinary Regeneration (HLAMANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cryopreservation, Biobanking & Cell Banking (Cord/Adipose/MSC) (HLAMANAJ), Clinical Research, Trials & Translational Services (Veterinary Regenerative) (HLAMANAL), Cryopreservation & Germplasm Banking (Semen/Embryos/Oocytes) (AFAEAJAH)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation
• Assisted reproduction
• Stem cell research
• Embryo transfer
• Genetic biobanking

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BioRescue is a research consortium that develops and deploys advanced assisted reproduction technologies (aART) — including ovum pick-up, in-vitro fertilization, intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, and embryo transfer — together with stem cell-associated techniques (SCAT) such as PGCLC induction, to generate viable Northern White Rhino embryos and eventually restore the subspecies. Its outputs include embryo production for transfer into surrogate southern white rhinos, a genome resource bank of cryopreserved biological material, and ethical frameworks (ETHAS) for guiding conservation biobanking decisions.

Product overview

BioRescue is a research consortium (not a commercial product company) developing advanced reproductive technologies for wildlife conservation. The core offering consists of Advanced Assisted Reproduction Technologies (aART) including ovum pick-up (OPU), in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), embryo transfer, and cryopreservation services for producing northern white rhino embryos. These are complemented by Stem Cell Associated Techniques (SCAT) for generating artificial gametes from stem cells, the ETHAS ethical assessment tool for evaluating procedures, and biobanking services for cryogenic storage of genetic material. All technologies are focused exclusively on saving the critically endangered northern white rhino from extinction through surrogate pregnancy using southern white rhino mothers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advanced Assisted Reproduction Technologies (aART) Program for Northern White Rhino An integrated program of advanced assisted reproduction technologies (aART) — including ovum pick-up (OPU), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and embryo transfer — applied to northern white rhinoceros to generate embryos from the remaining genetic stock. Delivered to wildlife authorities, conservation stakeholders, and partner institutions for species recovery deployment.
• Northern White Rhino Embryo Production Service Production of viable northern white rhino embryos through the combined aART (gamete recovery, IVF/ICSI) and SCAT (stem cell-derived gametes) pipelines, delivered to wildlife authorities and partner institutions for transfer into southern white rhino surrogates as part of the species recovery program.
• Stem Cell-Associated Techniques (SCAT) for Northern White Rhino Stem cell-associated techniques that generate primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from northern white rhino somatic samples, with the long-term objective of producing functional gametes entirely in vitro. Provided to consortium partners for use in species recovery and for downstream embryo production.
• Genome Resource Bank for Northern White Rhino

Quantifiable outcome

• 38 pure Northern White Rhino embryos produced from 21 OPUs in female Fatu since August 2019
• +6 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019International scientific consortium led by Leibniz-IZW, an internationally renowned German research institute of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. and member of the Leibniz Association. Leibniz-IZW leads the project and conducts OPU-IVF procedures, ethical assessment, and overall scientific coordination. Project head: Prof Thomas Hildebrandt.
• Safari Park Dvůr KrálovécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafari park in Czech Republic with largest African animal collection in Europe. Coordinates international rescue efforts and provides Northern White Rhino genetic samples. Birthplace of Najin and Fatu. Coordinates scientific efforts and represents the project internationally.
• Avantea (Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies)coreTechnology or IntegrationWorld-leading laboratory of advanced technologies for animal reproduction based in Cremona, Italy. Only laboratory in the world to have succeeded in generating viable rhinoceros embryos. Conducts ICSI, embryo culture and cryopreservation. Over 20 years experience in assisted reproduction of livestock.
• Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC)coreTechnology or IntegrationOne of world's leading biomedical research institutions based in Berlin-Buch, Germany. Head of Technology Platform 'Pluripotent Stem Cells' (Dr Sebastian Diecke) focuses on generation of functional oocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells. Supports pregnancy confirmation analyses for Northern White Rhino programme.
• University of PaduacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the oldest universities in the world (800 years), based in Padua, Italy. Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science leads the ethical research pillar of BioRescue through the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare (directed by Prof Barbara de Mori). Developed and extended ETHAS ethical assessment tool.
• University of OsakacoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor Japanese university focusing on pluripotent stem cell research for generating functional oocytes and sperm to increase genetic diversity of future Northern White Rhino founding population. Prof Katsuhiko Hayashi leads the Department of Genome Biology research.
• Kyushu UniversitysupportingTechnology or IntegrationPrestigious Japanese state university (founded 1911) located in Fukuoka. Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine houses the Developmental Stem Cell Biology Laboratory contributing to stem cell research for the Northern White Rhino conservation programme.
• Ol Pejeta ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, located in Kenya. Home to the last two Northern White Rhinos (Najin and Fatu) and site of all OPU procedures, embryo transfers, and surrogate mother programme. Provides cutting-edge wildlife security including specialised K-9 unit, motion sensor cameras, and dedicated Rhino Protection Unit.
• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenya's principal government institution that conserves and manages wildlife. Provides regulatory oversight, permits for scientific research, and ownership of surrogate southern white rhinos used in the embryo transfer programme.
• Merck KGaAsupportingOthersLeading science and technology company providing laboratory chemicals, reagents, and biotech products for research conducted by BioRescue consortium partners. Present in Germany with Healthcare, Life Science and Performance Materials sectors.
• Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan government body established under Wildlife Conservation and Management Act No. 47 of 2013. Mandate to undertake and coordinate wildlife research and training, and to grant permits for all wildlife scientific research. Works in close cooperation with BioRescue team at Ol Pejeta.
• German Conservation and Research Fund e.V. (CRF)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman non-profit organisation supporting visual documentation that bridges science, ethics, and wildlife conservation. Coordinated the photographic assignment for Jon A Juárez documenting the world's first successful rhino foetus produced by IVF and embryo transfer.
• Colossal BiosciencessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerColossal Biosciences supports BioRescue in saving the Northern White Rhino. Partnership aims to restore genetic diversity of a future Northern White Rhino population using museum samples (ancient DNA/de-extinction technologies).

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• International Rhino Foundation: US-based nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of all five rhino species globally. Operates field programs in Africa and Asia and funds rhino-related research. Tangentially related as a funder/advocate in the rhino conservation ecosystem but does not run aART programs comparable to BioRescue.
• Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Kenyan conservancy hosting the last two NWR females and serving as the field operations site for all BioRescue OPU and embryo transfer procedures. Functions as a conservation site partner rather than a competing research entity.
• Leibniz-IZW (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research): BioRescue's parent institution and lead research partner, with deep expertise in wildlife reproduction management. The Department of Reproduction Management conducts the OPU-IVF work. Strong operational overlap but functions as the host institution rather than a competing entity.
• Avantea Srl. Italian laboratory of advanced reproductive technologies and core BioRescue consortium partner. The only laboratory globally to have generated viable rhinoceros embryos. Functions as a key technology partner/service provider to the BioRescue program rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Revive & Restore: US nonprofit advancing genetic rescue and de-extinction for endangered and extinct species, with projects spanning coral, mammals, and birds. Comparable to BioRescue in applying advanced biotechnologies (cloning, stem cells, genomics) to conservation, though broader in taxonomic scope.

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Operates the Frozen Zoo, the world's largest cryopreserved wildlife biorepository (>10,000 samples), and runs active ART and biobanking programs for endangered species. A large, established conservation organisation with overlapping aART and biobanking capabilities, though focused across many species rather than the rhino niche.
• Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI): Major US conservation research institution with active programs in wildlife reproduction, cryopreservation, and biobanking for endangered species including giant pandas and Asian elephants. Comparable in scientific scope and conservation ART application, with a broader species portfolio.

Direct peers

• Colossal Biosciences: US-based de-extinction and genetic rescue company using ancient DNA and CRISPR to restore extinct and endangered species. Direct BioRescue partner supporting NWR genetic restoration, with overlapping mission in reviving lost genetic diversity through advanced reproductive and stem cell technologies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/htkacademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/biorescue_project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about BioRescue