CIC biomaGUNE

What CIC biomaGUNE does

CIC biomaGUNE is a non-profit biomolecular research center established in 2003 in Donostia-San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain. It operates 11 research groups focused on understanding biological systems at the molecular and nanometer scale through three core areas: biomaterials, molecular imaging, and bionanotechnology. The center employs 169 staff and is a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) and affiliated with CIBER-BBN, with additional recognition as a Spanish ICTS (Infraestructura Científica y Técnica Singular).

The center's core technology stack includes a cyclotron for radiochemistry and PET tracer production, electron microscopy, NMR, and specialized labs for BioNanoPlasmonics and molecular imaging. It has produced translational platforms including Engineered Protein Nanoclusters, epiGPTope (an ML-based epitope generator), and energy storage materials, holding 5+ patents on protein nanostructures. The BigMed project and other data-driven biomarker initiatives indicate an emerging computational biology footprint.

Its business model blends three revenue streams: (1) competitive public research funding from the Basque Government, Spanish AEI, EU Horizon Europe, ERC, and foundations such as AXA and BBVA; (2) contract research services for pharmaceutical and biotech clients, including via the Scientist.com marketplace; and (3) licensing of patented protein engineering and nanotechnology IP. Certifications including AAALAC, HRS4R, and ISO 56001 underscore accredited, commercially viable research infrastructure. The center does not pursue equity-financed growth; expansion is grant-driven and incremental.

Name

CIC biomaGUNE

Legal name

ASOCIACIÓN CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIÓN COOPERATIVA EN BIOMATERIALES - CIC biomaGUNE

Website

https://cicbiomagune.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CIC biomaGUNE is a non-profit biomolecular research center in Spain operating 11 research groups in biomaterials, molecular imaging, and bionanotechnology, serving public funders, pharma, and biotech clients with preclinical imaging, characterization services, and licensed protein engineering IP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomedical Research Services

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Imaging & Cardiac Safety Core Labs (ECOG/EEG/ECG) (HLAGAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Central Laboratory Services (Core Lab Operations) (HLAGAEAA)

Keywords

• Biomaterials research
• Molecular imaging services
• Preclinical imaging
• Nanomaterial characterization
• Bionanotechnology research

Headquarters

HQ city

Donostia/San Sebastián

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research Services: CIC biomaGUNE generates revenue through providing preclinical imaging services, characterization services, and other analytical services to external clients via its technological platforms and service catalogue.
2. Licensing Opportunities: The center offers technology transfer services including identification and protection of intellectual property, licensing agreements, and commercialization of research outcomes.
3. Research Funding: Non-profit research organization funded through competitive grants from Basque Government, Spanish Research Agency (AEI), European Commission, and other public funding bodies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CIC biomaGUNE is a non-profit research organization that provides preclinical imaging services, biomolecular characterization services, and R&D collaboration through seven technological platforms. Its service catalogue offers external clients — primarily academic researchers and biomedical companies — access to specialized infrastructure including electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, NMR, optical spectroscopy, surface analysis, biofabrication, and molecular imaging (MRI, radiochemistry, nuclear imaging) with an AAALAC-accredited animal facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preclinical Imaging Services Preclinical imaging services delivered through the Molecular Imaging Facility, providing MRI, radiochemistry, nuclear imaging, and in vivo studies with an AAALAC-accredited animal facility. Targeted at academic researchers and biomedical companies requiring preclinical imaging for drug development and research.
• Characterization Services Biomolecular and nanomaterial characterization services delivered through six technological platforms: Electron Microscopy, Mass Spectrometry, NMR, Optical Spectroscopy, Surface Analysis and Fabrication, and Biofabrication. Targeted at external researchers and companies needing nanoscale and molecular characterization without capital investment.
• Licensing Opportunities Technology transfer and licensing of CIC biomaGUNE's patented innovations, including protein-based functional nanostructures, MRI contrast agents, fluorescence-based nano-immunoassay IVD platforms, and microfluidic biodiscovery systems. Targeted at companies commercializing biomedical and biotechnology research output.
• Service Catalogue Published catalogue of available research services detailing methodologies, deliverables, and pricing structure for external clients. Available as a PDF document from the center's website and serves as a primary entry point for procurement of characterization and preclinical imaging services.
• epiGPTope ML-Based Epitope Generator AI-accelerated development tool that uses machine learning models to design and classify novel epitopes for biomedical and technological applications. Used for synthetic biology and the construction of artificial neoepitope libraries through statistical analysis and tokenization of epitopes. Targeted at researchers in biomedical and synthetic biology applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 peer-reviewed publications with 4,000+ citations from Scientific Director alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability4 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC biomaGUNE is a founding member of BRTA, the Basque Research & Technology Alliance, which connects research centers across the Basque Country to promote collaborative research and technology transfer in strategic areas including biosciences.
• IkerbasquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIkerbasque is the Basque Foundation for Science that promotes research excellence by attracting and retaining top researchers to the Basque Country. CIC biomaGUNE hosts multiple Ikerbasque Research Professors.
• CIBER-BBNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiomedical Research Networking Centre - Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine. CIC biomaGUNE participates in this national research network.
• CIC bioGUNEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister CIC center specializing in different aspects of biomedicine. Joint activities including annual Christmas Lecture and collaborative projects.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• CIBER-BBN: Spanish national research network for Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine in which CIC biomaGUNE participates. Emerging/network peer given shared thematic scope and member-based delivery model for translational research.

Broad incumbents

• The Scripps Research Institute: US non-profit biomedical research organization focused on chemistry and molecular medicine. Broad incumbent given similar non-profit research services model, emphasis on biomedical innovation, and licensing/tech-transfer activities.
• Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI): German publicly funded research center focused on infectious disease and immune-related research. Broad incumbent given comparable platform infrastructure, public funding, and cross-disciplinary research groups.
• European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL): Intergovernmental research organization for molecular life sciences with multi-site, platform-rich infrastructure across Europe. Broad incumbent peer given comparable operating model, government funding base, and core facility service provision.
• Institut Pasteur: Paris-based non-profit foundation dedicated to biomedical research, with core platforms for imaging, proteomics, and animal models. Broad incumbent given comparable non-profit structure, research services, and international training programs.
• Weizmann Institute of Science: Israeli non-profit research institution with strong life sciences, chemistry, and nanotechnology programs. Broad incumbent given similar academic-research mix, technology platforms, and translational infrastructure.
• Max Planck Institute of Molecular Biomedicine: Germany-based MPI unit focused on molecular biomedicine and imaging with public funding and PhD/postdoc programs. Broad incumbent given similar public-research mission, imaging platforms, and training-oriented staffing model.
• Karolinska Institutet - Core Facilities: Swedish medical university operating shared core facilities for imaging, proteomics, and bioanalysis under public-research governance. Broad incumbent given similar shared-platform operating model and academic/industry service offering.

Direct peers

• IMDEA Nanociencia: Madrid-based non-profit research institute focused on nanoscience and nanotechnology with similar platform-based research services model. Direct peer given overlap in nanomaterials research, ERC-funded labs, and platform-based service offerings.
• CIC bioGUNE: Sister CIC center under the same Basque Research & Technology Alliance, focused on biomedical research in metabolism, cell biology, and disease. Direct peer given shared funding infrastructure, mission, and overlapping research services portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CICbiomaGUNE
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cicbiomagune374
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cic-biomagune
• Instagraminstagram.com/cicbiomagune

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CIC biomaGUNE