IMGGE

What IMGGE does

IMGGE (Institut za molekularnu genetiku i genetičko inženjerstvo, legally Institut za molekularnu genetiku i genetičko inženjerstvo) is a non-profit scientific research institute embedded within the University of Belgrade, located in Belgrade, Serbia, with approximately 119 employees. Its functional focus is molecular genetics, genetic engineering, genomics, and biotechnology research, organized into six Centers of Expertise (Clinical Genomics, Disease Modeling, Light Microscopy, Zebrafish Research, Industrial Biotechnology, Probiotics/Starter Cultures) and a Center for Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics. Active research programs span CRISPR-Cas13 transcript targeting (LiveRNA), small-molecule drug discovery for glycogen storage disease type Ib and type 2 diabetes (GlucoAdjust), genetics and pharmacogenetics of familial hypercholesterolemia with Novartis, and plant molecular biology including bacterial outer-membrane vesicle interactions. Core technical capabilities include 2D and 3D cell culture (spheroids), OECD-compliant zebrafish embryo acute-toxicity testing, accredited genetic testing of human material, and licensed commercialization of probiotic products (Candberrol, HiraDophilus, DiaSolution, Hirapet, Hiravet) through partners Phytonet/Nouvellune, DiaSolution and InvetLab.

The institute's business model blends four revenue streams typical of a state research institute: (i) competitive research grants from the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia and EU/COST programs; (ii) fee-for-service laboratory testing for industrial clients including Galenika, Rauch, Coca-Cola HBC Serbia, BluestonePharma and AbelaPharm; (iii) licensing royalties on the five transferred probiotic products; and (iv) methodological training courses priced in tens of thousands of RSD per engagement (e.g., qPCR at 64,400 RSD, 2D/3D cell culture at 80,000 RSD). Go-to-market is direct and relationship-driven rather than commercial — partnerships, conference presence (BelBi), and EU-funded science outreach (Researchers' Night, Little School of DNAlogy since 2009) substitute for traditional sales channels. Primary customer segments are pharmaceutical and food/beverage industries (quality and safety testing), healthcare and medical research institutions (clinical genomics and personalized therapy), academic and doctoral education (Faculty of Biology, Medicine, Physical Chemistry integration), and agricultural biotechnology firms.

Ownership is governmental: IMGGE has been a member institute of the University of Belgrade since 2005 and operates under Serbian public-university governance with no private equity or venture capital exposure. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and individual grant awards are modest in scale (e.g., LiveRNA at EUR 20,000), implying annual operating receipts in the low single-digit millions USD. The institute's strategic posture is best characterized as translational research with a recurring technology-transfer channel, leveraging academic depth, regulatory accreditation, and embedded industry relationships rather than venture-style scaling.

Name

IMGGE

Legal name

Institut za molekularnu genetiku i genetičko inženjerstvo

Website

https://imgge.bg.ac.rs

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IMGGE is a non-profit molecular genetics and genetic engineering research institute within the University of Belgrade, Serbia. It provides accredited genetic testing, genome sequencing and bioinformatics services, CRISPR and zebrafish-based research, doctoral education, and licenses probiotic products to commercial partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotechnology Research and Genetic Testing Services

NAICS

Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151), Medical Laboratories (621511), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAFAMAE

Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics Laboratories

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Clinical Laboratories

SECONDARYHLAGADAE

Microbiology & Sterility Assurance (Bioburden/Endotoxin/Sterility)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Laboratory Testing & Analytical Services

SECONDARYHLAGADAN

Food, Feed & Nutraceutical Analytical Testing

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Laboratory Testing & Analytical Services

SECONDARYAFALAAAA

Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen)

Keywords

• Genetic testing services
• Molecular biology research
• Genome sequencing services
• Biotechnology education training
• Probiotic product licensing

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&amp, D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IMGGE is a research institute within the University of Belgrade that conducts molecular genetics and genetic engineering research while delivering accredited genetic testing and laboratory analysis services for human biological samples (peripheral blood, saliva) and non-human materials (bacterial enumeration, food and beverage quality testing). The institute operates specialized centers of expertise including clinical genomics, disease modeling, light microscopy, zebrafish research, industrial biotechnology, and probiotics, and commercializes internally developed probiotic and pharmaceutical products via licensing agreements with partner companies.

Product overview

IMGGE (Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering) is a research institute of the University of Belgrade offering a portfolio of laboratory services, educational programs, and licensed biotechnological products. Its core services include genetic analysis and genome sequencing for human and non-human materials, with specialized centers for clinical genomics, disease modeling, light microscopy, zebrafish research, industrial biotechnology, and probiotics. The institute provides methodological training courses and PhD education, and has developed and licensed probiotic products and pharmaceutical solutions to commercial partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Human Material Analysis Services Genetic analysis services for human biological samples including peripheral blood and saliva, provided for both scientific research and commercial purposes. Services cover DNA isolation, PCR amplification, DNA sequencing, and Western blot protein analysis of human material.
• Other Material Analysis Services Analysis services for non-human materials including bacterial identification, enumeration, and testing for dietary supplements, chewing gum, mineral water, and other products, used for quality control by pharmaceutical and food industry clients.
• Center for Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics Provides genome sequencing services and bioinformatics computational analysis for research and clinical applications, offered as a dedicated service center.
• Methodological Courses Theoretical and practical training courses in molecular genetics and genetic engineering covering quantitative real-time PCR, DNA isolation and PCR amplification, Western blot protein analysis, DNA sequencing, zebrafish embryo work, statistics in biological research, and 2D and 3D cell culture operations. Each course is paid per participant per session in Serbian Dinars.
• PhD Studies Program Doctoral (PhD) studies and thesis supervision offered through IMGGE's researchers who teach at five University of Belgrade faculties, including Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Physical Chemistry.
• Licensed Probiotic and Biotechnology Products Probiotic and pharmaceutical products developed internally by IMGGE and licensed to commercial partners for sale, including Candberrol and HiraDophilus probiotics (licensed to Phytonet/Nouvellune), DiaSolution (licensed to DiaSolution company), and Hirapet and Hiravet probiotics (licensed to InvetLab).

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• GalenikamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical company partner for testing and development of innovative products. IMGGE provides comprehensive support in testing and developing innovative products for the pharmaceutical industry.
• RauchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeverage company partner for bacterial enumeration and product safety testing. IMGGE provides quality and safety testing services for beverage products.
• CocaCola HBC SerbiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeverage industry partner receiving bacterial testing and quality assurance services from IMGGE for mineral water and other products.
• BluestonePharmamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical industry partner receiving testing and development support services from IMGGE.
• TakedamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational pharmaceutical company partnering on personalized therapy development projects for various health conditions. LiveRNA project and familial hypercholesterolemia research demonstrate collaboration capabilities.
• NovartismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor international pharmaceutical partner (Novartis Pharma Services Inc.) collaborating on familial hypercholesterolemia genetics and pharmacogenetics project, providing support for advancing personalized therapies.
• RochemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational pharmaceutical company partner for personalized therapy development projects.
• Phytonet / NouvellunemajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing partner for probiotic products Candberrol and HiraDophilus developed by IMGGE. Products successfully commercialized through this partnership.
• DiaSolutionmajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing partner for DiaSolution product developed by IMGGE through strategic partnership.
• InvetLabmajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing partner for Hirapet and Hiravet probiotic products developed by IMGGE.
• AbelaPharmmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSerbian pharmaceutical company receiving comprehensive support for testing and developing innovative products.
• 4UpharmaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural biotechnology partner testing new components and discovering breakthrough solutions for modern agriculture.
• FerticominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural partner collaborating on new product components testing and development for agriculture.
• Superior SeedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural seed company partner for biotech innovation projects.
• JUBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable technology partner for development of advanced eco-friendly products and manufacturing processes including innovative biomaterials.
• SferikonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for sustainable technology development including eco-friendly products and innovative biomaterials.
• University of BelgrademajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent institution. IMGGE became member of University of Belgrade in 2005, formalizing educational activities. Researchers from IMGGE are involved in doctoral courses at 5 faculties of the university including Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Physical Chemistry.
• Center for Integrative Biology, Toulouse, FrancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiaspora research partner for LiveRNA project. Dr. Denis Krndija provides expertise in CRISPR-Cas technology from this French institution, representing international collaboration with Serbian diaspora scientists.
• Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Center of SerbiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical research partner for diabetic chronic wounds prevention project and familial hypercholesterolemia research. Provides clinical expertise in assessing ethopathogenetic risk factors and treatment of chronic diabetes complications.
• Association for the Fight Against Diabetes 'Blue Circle' BelgrademajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient organization partner for diabetic chronic wounds project. Expert in civil actions aimed at improving quality of life for people with diabetes at all levels.
• Science Fund of the Republic of SerbiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary research funding body. Funds multiple projects including GlucoAdjust (Science Fund of Republic of Serbia), LiveRNA (Science Fund Serbian Scientific Cooperation Program with Diaspora), and other national research initiatives.
• Center for Promotion of Science (CPN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment science promotion body financing projects like 'Tvoj mikro-svet' (Your Micro-World) public promotion project, supporting science popularization activities.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins Scientific: Global testing services group covering food, pharmaceutical, and clinical diagnostics testing. Comparable on food/beverage bacterial testing and pharmaceutical quality control services IMGGE provides to CocaCola HBC Serbia, Rauch, and Galenika.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global CRO offering testing services spanning pharmaceutical, food, and academic research clients. Comparable on testing service portfolio (microbiology, genetic analysis, toxicology) and pharma partnerships, though at vastly larger commercial scale.

Direct peers

• CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine: Austrian academic research center conducting molecular medicine and genomic research with pharma partnerships and translational output. Directly comparable as a publicly-funded molecular biology research institute competing for similar EU grants and biotech collaborations.
• Evotec: Drug discovery CRO with academic-style research collaborations and partnerships with major pharma (Novartis, Roche, Takeda are all Evotec partners). Comparable on drug discovery research services and pharma partnership model.
• Centogene: Commercial clinical genomics and rare disease diagnostics company. Comparable on clinical genomics service offering, though as a commercial entity it competes for similar genetic testing customers across Europe at greater scale.
• Institute of Molecular Biology (Slovenia): Slovenian public research institute in molecular biology with similar size, scope, and SEE/Central European research funding profile. Operates in overlapping disease modeling, genomics, and biotechnology domains.
• IMBA Institute of Molecular Biotechnology: Austrian Academy of Sciences institute focused on molecular biotechnology, disease modeling, and model organism research (including zebrafish). Closely comparable in research domain (zebrafish, cell culture, molecular genetics) and academic/government-funded operating model.
• Institute of Molecular Genetics (Czech Academy of Sciences): Czech public academy institute focused on molecular genetics and genetic engineering research with similar government-funded R&D model. Most direct structural analog in Central/Eastern Europe, with comparable headcount and translational research mandate.

Others

• QIAGEN: Provider of sample preparation, PCR, sequencing, and bioinformatics solutions used in molecular genetics and clinical genomics workflows. Adjacent vendor whose products underpin IMGGE's genetic testing and genome sequencing services.
• Bio-Techne: Reagent and analytical tools provider serving molecular biology, genomics, and cell biology research customers. Adjacent enabler of similar laboratory workflows that IMGGE performs in its Centers of Expertise.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 IMGGE