HCDM

What HCDM does

HCDM (Human Cell Differentiation Molecules) is a non-profit scientific standards organization founded in 1982 following the first Human Leucocyte Differentiation Antigens (HLDA) Workshop held in Paris. Operating as the CD Nomenclature Sub-Committee of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS), HCDM maintains the internationally recognized Clusters of Differentiation (CD) nomenclature for human leukocyte surface molecules, currently covering CD1 through CD371 and beyond. Its core outputs include the CD Nomenclature Database, the CDMaps flow cytometry expression profiling data repository, and multi-laboratory blind validation of monoclonal antibodies carried out at HLDA Workshops held approximately every 3–5 years.

The organization's underlying methodology relies on independent multi-laboratory validation of antibody specificity, with new CD molecules assigned only when validated across multiple sites in a blind analysis protocol. The CDMaps data repository standardizes flow cytometry panels for quantitative expression profiling on blood leukocyte subsets, publishing original FCS data files, FlowJo workspaces, and integrated Tableau and Shiny visualization layers. HLDA11, the most recent workshop, was published in 2025 with research on immune system G protein-coupled receptors. Validated antibodies are distributed through commercial partners including BD Biosciences, BioLegend, Thermo Fisher Scientific, ExBio, and R&D Systems (Bio-Techne).

HCDM is registered as HCDM, z.s., a Czech interest association (zájmové sdružení) headquartered in Prague, and operates with approximately 7 staff supporting a volunteer international council of immunology professors. The organization generates no commercial revenue; its activities are funded through workshop sponsorships and registrations, with the CD nomenclature provided free of charge to academic researchers, clinical diagnostic laboratories, and biopharmaceutical companies worldwide. Governance is provided by a council led by Prof. Menno C. van Zelm (president and IUIS Nomenclature Chair), Prof. Tomáš Kalina (Vice-Chair), and Prof. Pablo Engel (past-president).

Name

HCDM

Legal name

HCDM, z.s.

Website

https://hcdm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HCDM is a Prague-registered non-profit that maintains the internationally recognized CD (Clusters of Differentiation) nomenclature for human leukocyte surface molecules. It operates as the CD Nomenclature Sub-Committee of IUIS, serving academic immunologists, clinical diagnostic laboratories, and biopharmaceutical researchers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Nomenclature and Antibody Validation

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Companion Diagnostics (CDx) Development & Trial Testing Support (HLAGAEAJ)

Keywords

• Leucocyte antigen nomenclature
• Antibody validation services
• Flow cytometry standardization
• Immunology research databases
• CD molecule classification

Headquarters

HQ city

CHARBONNIERES LES BAINS

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Non-profit organizational activities: HCDM, z.s. is a support non-profit organization registered in Prague, Czech Republic. The organization acts administratively on behalf of HCDM for the CD Nomenclature Sub-Committee of IUIS. Revenue streams appear to include sponsorship support and workshop registrations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

HCDM maintains the internationally recognized CD (Clusters of Differentiation) nomenclature system for human leucocyte surface molecules, currently covering CD1 through CD371+. The organization operates as the CD Nomenclature Sub-Committee of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) and validates monoclonal antibodies through multi-laboratory blind analysis. Its core offerings include the CDMaps flow cytometry data repository for quantitative expression profiling on leukocyte subsets, the CD Nomenclature Database with molecule and antibody information, and antibody validation services used by research and clinical laboratories worldwide.

Product overview

HCDM (Human Cell Differentiation Molecules) is a scientific organization that maintains the CD nomenclature system for classifying human leukocyte surface molecules. The organization operates as the CD Nomenclature Sub-Committee of IUIS (International Union of Immunological Societies) and conducts international HLDA Workshops. Its core offerings include the CDMaps data repository for flow cytometry visualization, a comprehensive molecule database covering CD1-CD371+, and antibody validation services. The organization connects antibody manufacturers (such as BD Biosciences, BioLegend, Thermo Fisher, ExBio) with the scientific community through standardized nomenclature and validated antibody resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CDMaps Data Repository

Quantifiable outcome

• CD1 to CD371+ molecules characterized
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCDM serves as the CD Nomenclature Sub-Committee of IUIS, establishing the nomenclature of different molecules of the immune system for over 20 years. IUIS is the international umbrella organization for immunological societies.
• BD BiosciencesminorOthersCommercial partner providing monoclonal antibodies for HLDA Workshops and validated through the workshop process. Multiple antibody clones validated and available through BD.
• BioLegendminorOthersCommercial partner providing monoclonal antibodies for HLDA Workshops. Antibody clones validated and available through BioLegend.
• Thermo Fisher ScientificminorOthersCommercial partner providing monoclonal antibodies and related products for HLDA Workshops. Antibody clones validated and available through Thermo Fisher.
• ExBiominorOthersCzech-based commercial partner providing monoclonal antibodies for HLDA Workshops, with multiple validated clones available.
• R&D Systems (Bio-Techne)minorOthersCommercial partner providing monoclonal antibodies for HLDA Workshops and validated through the workshop process.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI): CLSI develops clinical laboratory testing standards globally, including standards relevant to flow cytometry and antibody-based diagnostics. It is a broader standards body operating in HCDM's adjacent domain of clinical laboratory practice.
• UniProt Consortium: UniProt is the comprehensive reference database for protein sequence and function, encompassing CD molecules as a small subset. It operates as a broader-scale standards and reference resource that overlaps with HCDM's CD molecule database.
• WHO International Nonproprietary Names (INN) Programme: WHO INN assigns standardized generic names to pharmaceutical substances, structurally analogous to HCDM assigning CD nomenclature to surface molecules. Both are international nomenclature authorities with regulatory recognition.

Direct peers

• International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC): ISAC is the international scientific society for cytometry that HCDM lists as a partner organization. Both organizations support standardized flow cytometry practice and antibody-based cell characterization, serving overlapping research and clinical communities.
• HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC): HGNC is the authoritative standards body for human gene nomenclature, directly comparable to HCDM's role for cell surface molecules. HCDM itself acknowledges that CD nomenclature competes with HGNC's gene-level standard, making HGNC a structural peer.
• Human Protein Atlas: Human Protein Atlas provides systematic expression profiling of human proteins across tissues and cells, comparable to HCDM's CDMaps leukocyte expression data. Both serve as reference expression resources for immunology and cell biology researchers.
• International ImMunoGeneTics Information System (IMGT): IMGT is the international reference database for immunoglobulins, T cell receptors, and related immune system molecules. Like HCDM, it provides standardized nomenclature and curated reference data for the global immunology community, making it the closest functional peer.
• HUPO (Human Proteome Organization): HUPO is the international scientific organization coordinating proteomics research and standards, analogous to HCDM's role in antibody/immunology standards. Both are non-profit international scientific organizations establishing community standards in life sciences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hcdm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about HCDM