Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, IBMCP (UPV - CSIC)

What Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, IBMCP (UPV - CSIC) does

Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP) is a joint research institute operated since 1992 by Spain's national research council, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), headquartered at the Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación campus in Valencia, Spain. The institute conducts fundamental and applied research in plant molecular and cellular biology across three departments (Plant Biotechnology and Crop Improvement; Plant Development and Hormonal Action; Plant Stress Biology), housing more than 25 research groups and employing 45 senior researchers, 9 career track fellows, 47 postdoctoral researchers, and 82 PhD students on a 7,000 m² laboratory footprint complemented by 4,150 m² of greenhouses and growth chambers. IBMCP has produced over 1,000 scientific publications and supervised more than 200 doctoral theses, and was recently awarded the Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence accreditation by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

IBMCP operates five fee-for-service scientific platforms available to external academic and corporate clients: (1) DNA Sequencing and Gene Expression Analysis (operating since 1996, including Sanger sequencing, qPCR, and ploidy analysis); (2) Metabolomics (GC-MS, UPLC-PDA, UHPLC-Orbitrap MS, with ethylene detection sensitivity of 0.3 ppb); (3) Microscopy (Leica Stellaris 8 FALCON and Zeiss AxioObserver 780 confocal systems, plus transmission electron microscopy preparation); (4) Plant Hormone Quantification (UHPLC-Orbitrap Q-Exactive with 0.01 pg/μL detection limit covering auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ABA, JA, SA); and (5) Bioinformatics (NGS data analysis, big data storage, custom database development). The institute also runs a University Master's Program in Molecular and Cellular Plant Biotechnology through UPV.

IBMCP's revenue model combines four streams: (1) competitive public research grants averaging over €10 million per year (9 EU projects, 33 MICIU/AEI national grants, 9 VAB/AVI regional grants); (2) industry-sponsored research and collaborative agreements (13 industry agreements, 13 industry-subsidized projects, 25+ industrial partners); (3) fee-for-service scientific platform revenue via published tariff schedules; and (4) technology transfer and licensing through the Transfiere IBMCP platform (43 technology offerings and spin-off companies). Its customers span three segments: agribiotech and agrifood companies, academic and public research institutions, and government funding bodies (national, regional, European).

Name

Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, IBMCP (UPV - CSIC)

Legal name

Instituto de Biología Celular y Molecular de Plantas (IBMCP)

Website

https://ibmcp.upv.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IBMCP is a joint CSIC-UPV research institute in Valencia, Spain, conducting fundamental and applied research in plant molecular and cellular biology across 25+ groups, offering five fee-for-service scientific platforms (sequencing, metabolomics, microscopy, hormone quantification, bioinformatics) and securing over €10M annually in competitive grants and industry partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plant Biotechnology Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE), Digital Breeding & Bioinformatics Software (Breeding informatics, decision tools) (AFABALAL), Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL)

Keywords

• Plant molecular biology
• Plant biotechnology research
• Scientific core services
• Technology transfer agribiotech
• Public research institute

Headquarters

HQ city

Valencia

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding (Competitive Grants): IBMCP operates as a joint CSIC-UPV public research institute receiving competitive funding from national agencies (MICIU/AEI) and regional bodies (VAB/AVI). The institute reports over €10 million/year in average financing, 9 EU projects, 33 national grants, 9 regional grants, and 13 industry-funded collaborations.
2. Fee-for-Service Scientific Services: The institute generates revenue by providing specialized scientific services (DNA sequencing, metabolomics, microscopy, hormone quantification, bioinformatics) to external institutions, companies, and researchers on a fee-for-service basis. Published tariff schedules are available for each service.
3. Technology Transfer and Licensing: IBMCP translates generated knowledge into technological transfer for agronomic improvement, nutritional value enhancement, and production of pharmacologically and industrially relevant compounds, with 43 technology offerings and spin-off companies as part of its transfer strategy.
4. Industry-Sponsored Research: IBMCP partners with industry through 13 research agreements/convenios with companies and leads 13 industry-subsidized projects. Over 25 industrial partners trust the institute for collaborative research in plant biotechnology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IBMCP is a joint CSIC-UPV public research institute that conducts fundamental and applied research in plant molecular and cellular biology, providing state-of-the-art scientific services (DNA sequencing, metabolomics, microscopy, plant hormone quantification, bioinformatics) to external researchers, companies, and institutions on a fee-for-service basis. It also delivers technology transfer to the agrifood and biotech sector through licensing, collaborative research, and spin-off creation, and runs a university Master's program in plant biotechnology.

Product overview

IBMCP is a mixed research institute (CSIC-UPV) offering five specialized scientific services: DNA Sequencing and Gene Expression Analysis, Metabolomics, Microscopy, Plant Hormone Quantification, and Bioinformatics. These services provide external researchers and organizations access to state-of-the-art technologies and expertise in plant molecular and cellular biology. The institute also offers a Master's program in Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology of Plants. Rather than a unified software product, IBMCP provides fee-based scientific-technical services to the research community and industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DNA Sequencing and Gene Expression Analysis Service Fee-for-service DNA sequencing and gene expression analysis platform operating since 1996, serving external universities, CSIC institutes, and companies needing Sanger sequencing, quantitative PCR, fragment analysis, ploidy analysis, and RNA quality assessment.
• Metabolomics Service Fee-for-service metabolomics analysis using GC-MS, UPLC-PDA, HPLC, and UHPLC-Orbitrap mass spectrometry, covering volatile compounds, primary metabolism, chlorophylls/carotenoids/tocopherols, secondary metabolism, targeted quantification, and ethylene analysis for plant researchers and industry.
• Microscopy Service Fee-for-service microscopy infrastructure and technical support, including sample preparation equipment (cryostat, microtomes, ultramicrotome, tissue processor) and observation equipment (Leica Stellaris 8 FALCON and Zeiss AxioObserver 780 confocal microscopes, light microscopes, macroscope, fluorescence stereomicroscope).
• Plant Hormone Quantification Service Fee-for-service plant hormone quantification using UHPLC-mass spectrometry (Q-Exactive Orbitrap), capable of quantifying auxins (IAA), gibberellins, cytokinins, ABA, JA, SA, and brassinosteroids from fresh or lyophilized plant material at 0.01 pg/µL detection sensitivity.
• Bioinformatics Service Fee-for-service bioinformatics support including project consulting, NGS data analysis and storage, development of custom tools/websites/databases, computational resource administration, and ad-hoc analyses for plant biology research projects.
• Master's in Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology of Plants University master's program in Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology of Plants, offering advanced training in plant biology research to graduate students through the joint CSIC-UPV academic framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over €10 million/year in average financing secured from competitive sources
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GCM Citrus (Grupo de Mejora de Cítricos)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGCM Citrus is an IBMCP industrial partner collaborating on citrus biotechnology research. The partnership involves joint research activities in citrus genetics and breeding, with IBMCP providing scientific expertise and infrastructure.
• HarnesTomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarnesTom is an EU-funded research project consortium focused on tomato research and breeding. IBMCP participates as a key research partner providing expertise in plant molecular biology and biotechnology.
• Fundecitrus (Fundo de Defesa da Citricultura)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundecitrus is a Brazilian citrus defense fund that collaborates with IBMCP on citrus disease research. IBMCP contributes its virology and plant pathology expertise to understand and combat citrus greening disease (HLB).
• NewcotianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewcotiana is an EU project consortium focused on developing tobacco and Nicotiana species as plant factories for pharmaceutical and industrial compound production. IBMCP contributes its expertise in plant transformation and secondary metabolism.
• PharmaFactorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaFactory is an EU-funded research project on plant-based pharmaceutical production. IBMCP partners to apply its biotechnology capabilities to develop plants as production platforms for therapeutic compounds.
• SusphireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSusphire is a research project focused on sustainable plant production. IBMCP contributes research expertise in plant stress biology and sustainable crop improvement strategies.
• TomGEMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTomGEM is an EU-funded consortium for tomato genetic improvement. IBMCP is a research partner applying molecular genetics and biotechnology approaches to develop improved tomato varieties.
• WeGrowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeGrow is an industrial partner collaborating on sustainable crop production research. IBMCP provides scientific research capabilities for developing resource-efficient agricultural practices.
• TraditomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraditom is an EU project consortium focused on traditional tomato varieties, combining genomics, genetics, and quality analysis. IBMCP contributes its expertise in plant development biology and metabolomics.
• PreHLBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreHLB is a research project focused on HLB (Huanglongbing) disease prevention in citrus crops. IBMCP collaborates with its expertise in plant pathology, molecular biology, and citrus biotechnology to develop preventive strategies.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Rothamsted Research: Rothamsted is the UK's oldest agricultural research institute, conducting plant and crop science with BBSRC funding. It is comparable to IBMCP as a European publicly-funded agricultural/plant science research center with industry collaborations and a long institutional history.
• Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research: MPIPZ is a German Max Planck Society research institute focused on plant breeding research and molecular plant biology. It is comparable to IBMCP as a European fundamental plant science institute with strong publication output, training pipelines, and international collaboration networks.
• John Innes Centre: John Innes Centre is a leading UK plant science and microbiology research institute funded by BBSRC. It is comparable to IBMCP as a European publicly-funded plant biology research center with industry partnerships, technology transfer platforms, and similar research themes in crop genetics and molecular plant biology.
• INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement): INRAE is France's national research institute for agriculture, food, and environment. It is comparable to IBMCP at a larger scale as a European publicly-funded agricultural/plant biology research organization with multiple sites, industry partnerships, and competitive grant funding.
• Wageningen University & Research (Plant Sciences Group): Wageningen Plant Sciences is the leading Dutch agricultural and plant science research institution. It is comparable to IBMCP as a European plant science research organization with applied breeding, metabolomics, and agricultural biotechnology programs.
• Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK): IPK Gatersleben is a German Leibniz Association institute conducting research on plant genetics, genomics, and crop plant resources. It is comparable to IBMCP as a publicly-funded plant genetics research center with seed/genebank operations, genomics services, and applied breeding programs.

Direct peers

• Boyce Thompson Institute: Boyce Thompson Institute is an independent plant science research institute affiliated with Cornell University. It is comparable to IBMCP as a plant-focused research institute offering fee-for-service platforms (e.g., BTI's proteomics and mass spectrometry services) and conducting molecular plant biology research.
• Kazusa DNA Research Institute: Kazusa is a Japanese research institute focused on plant genomics and DNA sequencing services. It is comparable to IBMCP as a non-academic plant-focused research center with specialized genomics and bioinformatics service offerings to external researchers.
• Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG): CRAG is a Barcelona-based public research consortium (CSIC, IRTA, UAB, UB) conducting plant and animal genomics research. It is directly comparable to IBMCP as a Spanish public plant/agbiotech research center with similar funding models, Severo Ochoa-style excellence programs, and industry collaboration activities.
• Donald Danforth Plant Science Center: The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a US-based independent plant science research institute in Missouri. It is comparable to IBMCP as a non-academic plant biology research center offering fee-for-service platforms and operating technology transfer and industry partnership programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IBMCP
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3H6Gj6y2BCXaxwbIKKfvxg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/instituto-de-biolog%C3%ADa-molecular-y-celular-de-plantas-ibmcp-upv---csic-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, IBMCP (UPV - CSIC)