Institute of Biochemistry Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

What Institute of Biochemistry Molecular Biology and Biotechnology does

The Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB) is a postgraduate training institute within the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, founded in 2004 by Vidya Jyothi Professor E H Karunanayake. It operates from a single campus at No 90, Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, Colombo 03, with approximately 35 employees, and delivers MSc, MPhil, and PhD programmes in Molecular Life Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Bioinformatics, and Medical Biotechnology, alongside a newly launched BSc in Molecular Biology and Bioentrepreneurship. Core technical infrastructure comprises dedicated Molecular Biology, Cell Culture, and Immunology laboratories, IT facilities including a server room and computer laboratories, lecture halls, an auditorium, and a library. Revenue is generated through per-programme tuition (900,000 LKR for Sri Lankan students, 6,000-8,000 USD for foreign students), short on-site and online training courses, customized corporate training (e.g., for Genelabs Medical's AIBS students), and licensing/consultancy revenue from research commercialization such as the seven-plant cosmetic ingredient developed with Nature's Beauty Creations Ltd.

The institute distributes its offerings through direct institutional enrollment via the Self Service Portal and Moodle LMS, and reaches international students through the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships pipeline (hosted since 2014 via the Association of Commonwealth Universities) and a pathway partnership with Northumbria University for the Master of Research in Biology and Medical Biotechnology. Recent strategic activity includes the April 2025 MoU with Genelabs Medical, the July 2025 launch of the BSc programme, the October 2025 foundation stone laying for an HRIPT Center, the March 2026 inauguration of two new MSc programmes, and the June 2026 commercialization of the seven-plant cosmetic ingredient. As a state-funded constituent institute of a public university, IBMBB operates without external private investors, relying instead on government allocations, tuition, training fees, and industry partnerships, with corporate governance recognized by a Bronze Award at the Best Annual Report Awards 2024 from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Name

Institute of Biochemistry Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Legal name

Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Website

https://ibmbb.cmb.ac.lk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IBMBB is a postgraduate training institute of the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, delivering MSc, MPhil, PhD, and BSc programmes in molecular life sciences, biotechnology, immunology, and bioinformatics, with industry partnerships for corporate training and research commercialization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB), Custom Corporate IT Training & Upskilling Programs (BPAEANAB)

Keywords

• Molecular biology research
• Biotechnology postgraduate training
• Biochemistry education programs
• Molecular life sciences
• Research consultancy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Postgraduate Tuition Fees: IBMBB generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for its MSc, MPhil, and PhD programmes. The Master of Medical Biotechnology (SLQF Level 9) is priced at 900,000 LKR for Sri Lankan students. Foreign SAARC students pay 6,000 USD and non-SAARC students pay 8,000 USD. Additional fees include a 15 USD application processing and online selection test fee for Commonwealth scholarship applicants.
2. Short Training Courses and Capacity Building: Revenue is generated from short on-site training courses (e.g., Cell Culture Techniques, Molecular Biological Techniques, SPSS Data Analysis, MS Word training) and online/self-paced courses. Customized training is also provided to corporate clients such as Genelabs Medical (Pvt) Ltd for their AIBS students.
3. Consultancy and Academia-Industry Services: IBMBB engages in consultancy and commercializes research outputs through industry partnerships, such as the commercialization of the seven-plant cosmetic ingredient with Nature's Beauty Creations Ltd., demonstrating revenue generation from research translation and business development activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IBMBB is a postgraduate training institute of the University of Colombo providing instruction, training, research, development, and consultancy in biochemistry, molecular biology, and biotechnology. It offers MSc, MPhil, and PhD programmes, short training courses (on-site and online), and customized corporate training services with extensive hands-on laboratory work. The institute also engages in research consultancy and commercializes research outputs through industry partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MSc in Molecular Life Sciences Postgraduate degree programme providing focused training in current areas of molecular life sciences with extensive laboratory work and pathways to PhD studentships at IBMBB. Offered for QECS scholars through the Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka.
• MSc in Cellular and Molecular Immunology Postgraduate master's degree programme covering cellular and molecular immunology, including specialized laboratory training. Offered to Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholars and Sri Lankan students.
• MSc in Bioinformatics Postgraduate master's degree programme in bioinformatics providing advanced training in computational biology and bioinformatics tools for life sciences research.
• Master of Medical Biotechnology (SLQF Level 9) Postgraduate degree programme at SLQF Level 9 providing specialized training in medical biotechnology including molecular diagnostics, immunodiagnostics, omic science, bioinformatics, stem cells, regenerative medicine, vaccines, gene and cell therapy. Recognized as entry qualification for Master of Research at Northumbria University. Fees: 900,000 LKR for Sri Lankan students, 6,000 USD for SAARC, 8,000 USD for non-SAARC students.
• Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Bioentrepreneurship Three-year external undergraduate degree programme covering molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, immunology, bioentrepreneurship, and business sustainability. Aimed at transforming life sciences knowledge into commercial and research applications.
• MPhil/PhD Research Programmes Research degree programmes at IBMBB enabling advanced postgraduate research in biochemistry, molecular biology, and biotechnology. Provides direct pathway for MSc graduates to obtain PhD studentships.
• Short Training Courses (On-Site) Hands-on short training courses delivered on-site including Cell Culture Techniques, Molecular Biological Techniques, SPSS Data Analysis, and MS Word training. Open to professionals and students seeking practical laboratory skills.
• Online and Self-Paced Courses Online and self-paced courses delivered through the Moodle Learning Management System covering Bridging Course for Bioinformatics, Fundamentals in Immunology and Biostatistics, Cancer Biology and Tumor Immunology, Vaccinology, Biostatistics and Research Methods, and MS Word training.
• Corporate Training Services Customized laboratory training programmes delivered to corporate clients in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and academic sectors. Example includes a 7-day intensive Animal Cell Culture Techniques training for 47 AIBS students from Genelabs Medical in 2025.
• Research Consultancy and Commercialization Services Research and development consultancy services offered through the IBMBB Business Development Unit, including academia-industry technology transfer and commercialization of university research outputs (e.g., the seven-plant cosmetic ingredient commercialized with Nature's Beauty Creations Ltd.).

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates of MSc programmes receive job offers before completing their degree
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Nature's Beauty Creations Ltd.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Commercial partner for the university-developed seven-plant cosmetic ingredient. Nature's Beauty Creations Ltd., manufacturer of the Nature's Secrets brand, played a pivotal role in translating the research innovation into a market-ready cosmetic ingredient. The successful commercialization was celebrated at Innovation to Bloom 2026 held at the Senate Hall, representing a landmark academia-industry partnership for driving innovation, value addition, and sustainable economic growth in Sri Lanka.
• Genelabs Medical (Pvt) LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2025A Memorandum of Understanding between GeneLabs Medical (Pvt) Ltd and the University of Colombo was signed on April 10, 2025 at the Senate Hall. The agreement aims to promote collaboration. IBMBB organized a three-day Animal Cell Culture Techniques training session for 47 AIBS students from Genelabs Medical in September-October 2025. Prof. Sameera R. Samarakoon led the training, with facilitation by Dr. Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan and others.
• Association of Commonwealth UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBMBB is one of the institutes recognized for hosting Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholars (QECS) by the Association of Commonwealth Universities. MSc in Molecular Life Sciences and MSc in Cellular & Molecular Immunology programmes are offered for QECS scholars through the Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka. IBMBB has received Commonwealth Scholars since 2014, admitting scholars from Commonwealth countries every year.
• Northumbria UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaster of Medical Biotechnology (SLQF Level 9) at IBMBB is recognized as an entry qualification for Master of Research in Biology and Medical Biotechnology offered by Northumbria University. IBMBB awareness sessions include Northumbria University representatives to inform applicants about the pathway programme. Course commencement is July 2026.
• Avon Pharmo Chem (Pvt) LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAvon Pharmo Chem (Pvt) Ltd is the authorized local agent for Nichiryo micropipettes in Sri Lanka. They co-organized a Liquid Handling Workshop with Nichiryo Co., Ltd. (Japan) at IBMBB. Ms. Riko Saan from Nichiryo Japan served as the resource person, providing training on pipetting techniques, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC): Sri Lankan public-private research platform with broader nanotechnology and advanced materials scope. Comparable as a national research institute pursuing industry-linked R&D, though broader in scope than IBMBB's biotech focus.
• University of Colombo Faculty of Science: Parent university's science faculty offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in biotechnology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Comparable as an academic unit offering overlapping programmes within the same university system, providing a wider degree portfolio.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Division of Biological Sciences: Premier Indian research university with strong biotechnology and molecular biology postgraduate programmes. Comparable as a university-based biomedical sciences training and research institution, but operating at significantly greater scale and funding levels.

Regional players

• National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan public sector training and research institution in health and biomedical sciences. Comparable as a national training body for technical and life science skills, though focused more on public health workforce.
• A*STAR Graduate Academy (Singapore): Regional postgraduate biotech training and PhD funding body. Comparable in its focus on advanced life sciences training linked to national R&D priorities, though operating in a far more resourced Singapore ecosystem.

Direct peers

• National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS): Sri Lankan government research institute conducting fundamental and applied research in life sciences, chemistry, and biotechnology with postgraduate training programs. Comparable as a publicly funded research institution offering advanced degrees and short courses in molecular-level sciences.
• Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya: Sri Lanka's other major postgraduate science training institute, offering MSc/MPhil/PhD programmes in molecular biology, biotechnology, and related fields. Directly comparable as a public university-based postgraduate science education and research body serving the same domestic market.
• Industrial Technology Institute (ITI): Sri Lanka's premier industrial R&D institution offering contract research, analytical services, and industry training in biotechnology, food technology, and microbiology. Comparable in its combination of applied research, industry training, and analytical laboratory services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/IBMBBvideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/IBMBB
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ibmbb
• Instagraminstagram.com/ibmbb.uoc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Institute of Biochemistry Molecular Biology and Biotechnology