C-SOPS
C-SOPS is an NSF Engineering Research Center headquartered at Rutgers University that operates a multi-university research consortium focused on continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing science, serving pharmaceutical manufacturers, technology vendors, and regulatory authorities through consortium memberships, federal grants, collaborative research, and technology licensing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersPiscataway, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What C-SOPS does
C-SOPS (Center for Structured Organic Particulate Systems) is an NSF Engineering Research Center founded in 2006 and headquartered at Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey. It operates as a multi-institution research consortium with Purdue University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM), employing a small core staff of 5 people. Its core technical focus is continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing science for solid oral dosage forms, with capabilities spanning direct compression, wet granulation, roller compaction, hot melt extrusion, and capsule manufacturing. The center operates three specialized test beds: Test Bed 1 (continuous manufacturing OSD at Rutgers), Test Bed 2 (strip film manufacturing at NJIT), and Test Bed 3 (precision medicine manufacturing at Purdue), anchored by the Continuous Pharmaceutical Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (CpAML), a 2,000 sq. ft. commercial-scale pilot plant described as the only facility of its kind at any university worldwide. It also maintains advanced Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) capabilities for simulating particle and fluid behavior.
The center's business model combines four revenue streams: (i) tiered industry consortium memberships priced at $50,000 per year for access to research, facilities, publications, workshops, and regulatory networking; (ii) federal grants from NSF, FDA, and BARDA supporting specific research initiatives, with disclosed FDA grants totaling $9.6M between 2015-2020; (iii) direct collaborative research partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, notably Janssen Pharmaceuticals' $6M commitment which produced the first FDA-approved direct compression process (Prezista) in 2016; and (iv) technology licensing of patented processes such as the solvent-less coating process licensed to Catalent Pharma Solutions. Customer segments span pharmaceutical manufacturers, technology and equipment vendors, software providers, raw materials suppliers, and regulatory authorities (FDA, USP). The center transitioned from NSF core funding to a self-sustained operational model, with international collaborations extending to the UK, Austria, Ireland, Belgium, Finland, China, and Argentina.
C-SOPS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C-SOPS
- Legal name
- C-SOPS: Center for Structured Organic Particulate Systems
- Website
- https://c-sops.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- C-SOPS is an NSF Engineering Research Center headquartered at Rutgers University that operates a multi-university research consortium focused on continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing science, serving pharmaceutical manufacturers, technology vendors, and regulatory authorities through consortium memberships, federal grants, collaborative research, and technology licensing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
C-SOPS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quality Assurance, GxP Compliance & Auditing FSP (HLAGAOAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Compliance Technology, GRC Platforms & Controls Automation Advisory (BPAHAFAO)
Keywords
Where C-SOPS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Piscataway
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
C-SOPS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Industrial Consortium Membership: Tiered membership program where companies pay annual dues (cash and/or in-kind) to access the center's research, facilities, publications, workshops, and networking ecosystem. Most members are from the pharmaceutical industry.
- Government Grants: Funding from FDA, NSF, and other federal agencies for specific research initiatives. Examples include FDA grants totaling $4.9M for expanding continuous manufacturing and $4M for developing scientific foundation for regulatory elements.
- Collaborative Research Projects: Direct research partnerships with industry partners such as Janssen Pharmaceuticals ($6M commitment) for specific product and process development.
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of patented technologies such as the solvent-less coating process to companies like Catalent Pharma Solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Consortium Membership |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
C-SOPS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C-SOPS is a university-based NSF Engineering Research Center that delivers research services, property measurement and testing, experimental and computational studies, and process development services focused on continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing of solid dosage forms. The center operates multiple specialized pilot facilities and test beds, enabling partners to develop, validate, and obtain regulatory approval for continuous manufacturing processes. Revenue is generated through tiered industry consortium memberships, collaborative research contracts, federal grants, and licensing of patented pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.
Product overview
C-SOPS (Center for Structured Organic Particulate Systems) is a university-based research consortium rather than a product company. It offers research services, testing/analytical services, and process development services centered around continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing. The center operates multiple specialized facilities including the Continuous Pharmaceutical Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (CpAML) at Rutgers, pilot plants at Purdue, and oral film manufacturing facilities at NJIT. Services include property measurement and testing, experimental and computational studies, and process development for continuous manufacturing of solid dosage pharmaceuticals, foods, and agriculture products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Property Measurement and Testing Service Testing and analysis services for raw materials, intermediate products, and final pharmaceutical products including particle size, density, moisture content, and blend uniformity measurements. Targeted at pharmaceutical manufacturers developing continuous manufacturing processes.
- Experimental and Computational Studies Research and science-based studies including sampling, tableting, mixing, capsule filling, statistical analysis, and computational modeling (DEM/CFD) services for pharmaceutical manufacturing optimization. Targeted at pharmaceutical manufacturers and technology developers.
- Process Development Services Feasibility testing, process design, formulation development, analytical method development (NIR, dissolution, sampling), and pharmaceutical process optimization services for continuous manufacturing. Targeted at pharmaceutical manufacturers transitioning from batch to continuous processes.
- Industrial Consortium Membership Annual membership program ($50,000/year) providing access to research, facilities, publications, workshops, and networking with 40+ industry partners, FDA, USP, and potential customers. Cash and in-kind contributions accepted. Small companies and individual consultants may receive discounts.
- Technology Licensing Licensing of patented technologies developed at C-SOPS, such as the patented solvent-less coating process licensed to Catalent Pharma Solutions for masking bitter-tasting pharmaceutical active ingredients and controlled release formulations.
Quantifiable outcome
- First-ever FDA approval for direct compression process
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use C-SOPS
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
C-SOPS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
C-SOPS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- STEERLifecorePartnership to foster transformation of traditional pharma manufacturing to advanced manufacturing for improved process and stability. STEERLife provides technology platforms and process solutions for pharmaceutical industry.
- Thermo Fisher ScientificcoreCollaboration to accelerate research on continuous manufacturing technique. Thermo Fisher and C-SOPS partnered to enable joint research-center work at Rutgers facilities.
- Janssen PharmaceuticalsflagshipMulti-year partnership resulting in first-ever FDA approval for direct compression process and first approved conversion from batch to continuous manufacturing for Prezista (darunavir). $6 million commitment for continuous manufacturing research involving Rutgers, Purdue, and UPR.
- Catalent Pharma SolutionscoreLicensed the patented solvent-less coating process for masking bitter-tasting pharmaceutical active ingredients and controlled release formulations.
- FDAflagshipFDA invited C-SOPS to develop draft guidance on Continuous Manufacturing. FDA provided $4M grant (largest ever to a US university) for developing scientific foundation for regulatory elements. Also provided $900K grant to NJIT for oral films manufacturing.
- United States Pharmacopeia (USP)coreAt FDA's request, USP decided to develop operations in continuous manufacturing and formally requested C-SOPS assistance in selecting its path, including a road-mapping workshop.
- BARDAcoreIdentified Continuous Manufacturing as key enabling technology for emerging threat response and initiated discussions with C-SOPS regarding large scale collaborations.
- International Institute of Advanced Pharmaceutical ManufacturingcoreEstablished international collaboration supported by NSF-SAVI (US) and EPSRC (UK) for global training and collaboration efforts.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
C-SOPS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- GEA Group (Pharma & Healthcare Division): Large established supplier of process equipment for continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing (including granulation and tableting lines); broader industry incumbent that competes for the same pharma capex dollars that fund C-SOPS members.
- Lonza Pharma & Biotech: Global CDMO investing heavily in continuous manufacturing capabilities and a likely member/collaborator profile for C-SOPS-style consortia; broader industry incumbent applying the same continuous manufacturing paradigm.
Direct peers
- RCPE (Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering): Austria-based research center focused on pharmaceutical process engineering and continuous manufacturing with an industry consortium model — directly comparable to C-SOPS and named as a C-SOPS collaborator.
- MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation: MIT-based research consortium tackling pharmaceutical development and manufacturing innovation with industry members and regulatory engagement — comparable peer for advanced manufacturing biopharma research with industry consortium funding.
- NIPTE (National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology & Education): US-based, FDA-collaborative, multi-university research consortium focused on pharmaceutical manufacturing science and regulatory science; directly comparable peer for C-SOPS in scope and stakeholder set.
- CMAC (Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallisation): EPSRC-funded UK research hub at the University of Strathclyde focused on continuous manufacturing and crystallization for pharmaceuticals — directly comparable to C-SOPS in mission, funding model, and member ecosystem, and explicitly named as a C-SOPS collaborator.
Others
- Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Johnson & Johnson): Flagship C-SOPS industry partner ($6M commitment) and co-developer of the first FDA-approved continuous direct compression product (Prezista); a major pharma customer whose adoption of continuous manufacturing exemplifies the value C-SOPS delivers.
- Catalent Pharma Solutions: Global CDMO and C-SOPS licensee of the patented solvent-less coating process — a current commercial partner that applies continuous manufacturing techniques, adjacent to C-SOPS's mission.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Major analytical instruments and life sciences vendor and C-SOPS collaborator, providing PAT and process monitoring equipment relevant to continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing — adjacent technology partner.
- Siemens Process Industries (Xcelerator for Pharma): Provider of automation, digital, and process control technology that underpins continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing lines; adjacent technology ecosystem participant to C-SOPS's research.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
C-SOPS social profiles
Digital presenceC-SOPS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C-SOPS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
C-SOPS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C-SOPS 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 C-SOPS
What does C-SOPS do?
C-SOPS is a university-based NSF Engineering Research Center that delivers research services, property measurement and testing, experimental and computational studies, and process development services focused on continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing of solid dosage forms. The center operates multiple specialized pilot facilities and test beds, enabling partners to develop, validate, and obtain regulatory approval for continuous manufacturing processes. Revenue is generated through tiered industry consortium memberships, collaborative research contracts, federal grants, and licensing of patented pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.
Is C-SOPS a public or private company?
C-SOPS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was C-SOPS founded?
C-SOPS was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is C-SOPS based?
C-SOPS is headquartered in Piscataway, United States, in the North America region.
How does C-SOPS make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Industrial Consortium Membership is the primary driver. The others are government Grants, collaborative Research Projects and technology Licensing.
Who are C-SOPS's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are GEA Group (Pharma & Healthcare Division) and Lonza Pharma & Biotech. Direct peers are RCPE (Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering), MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation, NIPTE (National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology & Education) and CMAC (Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallisation). Others are Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Johnson & Johnson), Catalent Pharma Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Siemens Process Industries (Xcelerator for Pharma).
Does C-SOPS have an API?
No public API is recorded for C-SOPS.
What industry is C-SOPS in?
C-SOPS's product category is Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAOAE, Quality Assurance, GxP Compliance & Auditing FSP, with a secondary code of BPAHAFAO, Compliance Technology, GRC Platforms & Controls Automation Advisory. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.