Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade

What Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade does

The Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), founded in 1959 as part of the University of Belgrade, is a Serbian public research institute operating three integrated lines of activity: scientific research, in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical device manufacturing, and accredited laboratory testing. Headquartered in Zemun with a secondary diagnostic laboratory in Surčin, INEP employs approximately 95 staff, of whom roughly 60 are research experts. Its core technological platform is in vitro immunodiagnostics — encompassing ELISA (immunoenzymatic), IRMA (immunoradiometric), and IIF (indirect immunofluorescence) methods for detecting antibodies, antigens, and hormones in human and animal samples. The institute also operates gamma spectrometric environmental analysis (radionuclides including 134Cs, 137Cs, 40K, 226Ra, 232Th, 235U, 238U) and agrochemical soil and plant nutrient testing. Proprietary assets include the FITC kit for Trichinella detection (described as the only universal test globally for early-phase and co-infection detection), SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG ELISA tests, and a 2025-granted patent for simultaneous transferrin and IgG isolation from serum.

INEP generates revenue through five distinct streams: (1) walk-in clinical diagnostic testing at its two laboratories (250+ analysis types, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, ATS-accredited, with a publicly published RSD-denominated price list and senior/cardholder discounts); (2) manufacture and sale of CE-marked, ISO 13485-certified IVD kits (thyroid, fertility, tumor markers, autoantibodies, infectious disease) to medical and veterinary laboratories domestically and for export; (3) National Reference Laboratory services for Trichinellosis in both humans (Ministry of Health) and meat (Veterinary Directorate), including proficiency testing; (4) technology transfer, licensing, and consulting via its dedicated Technology Transfer Body; and (5) government and EU research grants (Ministry of Science institutional funding, Horizon Europe MSCA — HEART, World Bank SAIGE, bilateral programs, Innovation Fund). Additional service lines include cosmetic safety assessment (PIF) for EU market access and food allergen testing.

INEP serves a heterogeneous customer base: individual patients (direct-to-consumer lab testing), the Serbian healthcare and veterinary public sectors (Institutional of Public Health, University Clinical Centre, hospitals, Veterinary Directorate), medical and veterinary laboratories (IVD kits), food industry players (allergen testing), cosmetics manufacturers (PIF services), and biotech/industrial partners (licensing, joint research). The institute is positioned as a member of the planned BIO4 Campus and as part of the European Network of Reference Laboratories for Parasites, with active international partnerships including ICGEB (MabTHER), Swiss Rockets AG, Medical University Vienna, and bilateral programs with Slovakia, Spain, and China.

Name

Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade

Legal name

Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP

Website

https://inep.ac.rs

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

INEP is a University of Belgrade research institute founded in 1959 that develops and manufactures CE-marked IVD immunodiagnostic kits, operates accredited clinical and reference laboratories (including dual National Reference Laboratories for Trichinellosis), and provides testing, technology transfer, and EU-funded research services to Serbian and regional healthcare, veterinary, and industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

In Vitro Diagnostics & Reference Laboratory Services

NAICS

Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAFAMAB

Clinical Chemistry & Immunoassay Laboratories

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

SECONDARYHLAHAAAK

Autoimmune, Allergy & Specialized Immunology Diagnostics

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) & Laboratory Diagnostics

SECONDARYAFALAAAA

Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen)

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

SECONDARYAFALAKAB

Interlaboratory Comparisons & Ring Trials (Food)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Laboratory Proficiency Testing, Method Validation & Reference Materials (Food)

SECONDARYHLAAAKAG

Analytical Testing & QC Release Services (potency, purity, sterility)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Biomanufacturing Services

Keywords

• Immunodiagnostic test kits
• Clinical laboratory testing
• Reference laboratory services
• Trichinellosis diagnostics
• Food safety testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Belgrade (Zemun)

HQ country

Serbia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Laboratory diagnostic testing services: INEP operates two diagnostic laboratories in Zemun and Surčin offering over 250 types of clinical analyses covering hematology, biochemistry, immunology, infectious serology, tumor markers, hormones, autoantibodies, microbiology, and more. Revenue is generated through direct patient payments at published prices, with discounts for seniors, pensioners, and card holders. Services are accredited by the Accreditation Body of Serbia (ATS) under ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
2. IVD medical device production and sales: INEP manufactures and sells in vitro diagnostic (IVD) immunodiagnostic test kits for thyroid function (T3, T4, TSH, TgAt, Tg), fertility/reproduction (hormones), diabetes (insulin, C-peptide), tumor markers, autoantibodies, and infectious disease diagnosis. Production is registered with the Serbian Ministry of Health and ALIMS, certified under ISO 13485 and CE marked under EU Directive 98/79/EC. Kits are sold to medical and veterinary laboratories domestically and internationally.
3. Technology transfer and licensing: INEP's Technology Transfer Body provides consulting services in knowledge and technology transfer, evaluation and valorization of technologies, intellectual property protection (patents, know-how), and facilitates collaboration and licensing agreements (NDA, MTA, RCA, license contracts) with industrial partners. Revenue derives from licensing of patented technologies and consulting fees.
4. Government and EU research funding: INEP receives institutional funding from the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, and competitive research grants including Horizon Europe (MSCA), World Bank SAIGE project, bilateral science cooperation funds, and Innovation Fund. Funding supports research projects rather than operating revenue.
5. Cosmetic product testing (PIF services): INEP provides safety assessment services for cosmetic products and compiles Product Information Files (PIF) required for EU market access from April 2023, as well as in vivo skin parameter testing using Courage+Khazaka electronic probes. Revenue generated through service fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

INEP manufactures in vitro immunodiagnostic (IVD) test kits for thyroid function, fertility, tumor markers, autoantibodies, infectious diseases, and Trichinella detection, and operates two accredited diagnostic laboratories in Belgrade offering over 250 types of clinical analyses. The institute also runs two National Reference Laboratories for Trichinellosis diagnostics and provides gamma spectrometric, agrochemical, food allergen, and cosmetic safety testing services. Its three core activities are scientific research, IVD manufacturing, and laboratory testing, all anchored in biomedicine, biotechnology, and environmental protection.

Product overview

INEP is a leading manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices in the region, offering a comprehensive portfolio of immunodiagnostic test kits including hormone tests (insulin, thyroid panel), tumor markers, autoantibody tests, infectious disease diagnostics, and specialized tests like the FITC kit and ES antigen for Trichinella detection. The institute provides laboratory testing services spanning clinical diagnostics (health testing), gamma spectrometric analysis, food allergen testing, agrochemical testing, and cosmetic efficacy testing (PIF services). INEP operates two National Reference Laboratories for trichinellosis diagnostics and Trichinella detection in meat. The diagnostic test development services support medicine, veterinary, and food safety sectors. Key IVD products include ELISA SARS-CoV-2 tests, insulin radioimmunoassay, and thyroid function tests (T3/T4/TSH).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UNIBORN: Diagnostic test for bornavirus infection (IGRA test) developed by INEP.

Products and services

• IVD Immunodiagnostic Test Kits In vitro immunodiagnostic test kits for medical diagnostics covering thyroid function (T3, T4, TSH, TgAt, Tg), fertility/reproduction hormones, insulin and C-peptide for diabetes, tumor markers, autoantibodies, and infectious disease diagnostics. Manufactured in-house and sold to medical and veterinary laboratories.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150,000 patient samples processed with INEP's in-house developed and produced SARS-CoV-2 ELISA tests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

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

• European Commission / European Research Executive Agency (REA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026INEP coordinates the HEART project (Humans, Ecology, Animals, Research-Together in the HEARTbeat of Science and Education), funded under Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and Citizens 2025. Selected as 1 of 49 from 241 applications. The 2-year project connects science and society through a One Health approach, organizing workshops, school activities, public debates, and Researchers' Night 2026 in Serbia. Dr Diana Lupulović serves as project coordinator.
• Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak RepublicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Bilateral Serbian-Slovak research project proposal on biomarker analysis in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was selected for joint financing for 2026/27. Serbian team led by Dr Olgica Nedić (INEP) and Slovak team led by Dr Jaroslav Katrlik (Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences). This 14-year collaboration has produced 6 joint projects.
• World Bank / Government of Serbia (SAIGE Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SAIGE (Serbia Accelerating Innovation and Growth Entrepreneurship) is a World Bank-supported project implemented by the Serbian Ministry of Science. INEP is among the first six institutes participating in this transformation initiative to strengthen capacities, improve work quality, and integrate into the international research network. Includes staff training, technology transfer support, and international expert evaluation. Led to INEP receiving its patent for protein isolation technology.
• ICGEB (International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024INEP is a partner in the MabTHER project — Italian-Serbian bilateral cooperation for the production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for treatment of breast and stomach cancer. ICGEB's Biotechnology Development Unit (BDU) in Trieste, with over 25 years of experience, provides support. Agreement signed at ICGEB Regional Headquarters in Trieste with Director General Lawrence Banks.
• Ministry of Science of the Republic of SerbiacoreOthers · 1 January 2024INEP receives institutional funding from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development. The Minister of Science Jelena Begović visited INEP in November 2024 and praised its role in medical services, food quality control, and BIO4 Campus integration. Ongoing institutional and competitive project funding supports all research activities.
• Shandong International Science & Technology Cooperation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community (SDHS), ChinaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Chinese delegation visited INEP through the Serbian Ministry of Science. Discussions focused on potential cooperation in technology transfer, development, and placement of a wide range of products and services. A sustainable international platform for exchange between China and Serbia through university-enterprise cooperation is being explored.
• Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, ItalyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Regional government supported the MabTHER project for therapeutic monoclonal antibody production. Visit by coordinator Giulio Tarlao and ICGEB's Nataša Skoko to INEP in November 2024 discussed project progress. Also supports the Italian-Serbian cooperation project through regional funding.
• Swiss Rockets AGflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Serbian Ministry of Science and Swiss Rockets AG (a biotech company aiming to be a leader in biotechnology innovation). The partnership aims to build a new nuclear medicine innovation center within the BIO4 Campus and support the startup ecosystem in biotechnology through collaboration with INEP and IHTM.
• Philip Morris / NALED (StarTech Program)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023INEP participated in the StarTech program (run by Philip Morris and NALED with Serbian government support) and was among 25 grant recipients. INEP's UNIBORN project (diagnostic test for bornavirus infection using IGRA technology) received grant funding of USD 15,000-100,000 to develop its innovative product for market.
• Center for Science Promotion (CPN)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023CPN (Centar za promociju nauke) provides financial support for INEP's 'Escape Classroom' science outreach project for schoolchildren. CPN also supported earlier 'Nauka u akciji' Mini Innovation Fair at INEP. INEP participates in CPN-organized events to promote science among the public.
• Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, SpainminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Under the SAIGE project, INEP researchers Valentina Ignjatović Jocić and Stefana Stojanović trained for two months in the laboratory of Dr. Antonio de la Vieja, learning cloning techniques for coding and non-coding genes. Strengthened international scientific cooperation.
• European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites (EURLP, ISS, Rome)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023INEP's National Reference Laboratory for Trichinellosis is part of the European Network of Reference Laboratories managed by EURLP at the Italian National Institute of Health. Cooperation includes annual meetings, participation in EURLP-organized quality control PT schemes since 2007, and professional development of INEP staff.
• BIO4 Campus ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023INEP is positioned as a potential member of the BIO4 Campus — a planned biotechnology campus in Belgrade encompassing biomedicine, bioinformatics, biotechnology, and biodiversity. INEP aims to leverage BIO4 infrastructure and resources to strengthen entrepreneurship in biotechnology. BIO4 is co-sponsored by the Serbian Ministry of Science.
• Institute for Medical Research (IMI), SerbiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IMI is a partner in the HEART project alongside INEP. Dr. Snežana Tomanović from IMI participated in the MSCA and Citizens Beneficiary Day in Brussels. IMI and INEP co-presented innovations at the 'Nauka u akciji' Mini Innovation Fair.
• Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (IHTM), SerbiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IHTM co-presented innovations at the 'Nauka u akciji' Mini Innovation Fair with INEP. IHTM is also a partner in Swiss Rockets AG collaboration for BIO4 Campus. Long-standing bilateral collaboration on joint research projects.
• Medical University Vienna (Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine), AustriaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Bilateral project with Austria testing the hygiene hypothesis: excretory-secretory products of Trichinella spiralis in treating respiratory tract inflammation. Project No. 451-03-02141/2017-09/16, 2018-2020, extended to February 2022. Led by Dr. Alisa Gruden-Movsesijan at INEP.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights11 records

Direct peers

• Statens Serum Institut: Danish national public health and research institute operating as a reference laboratory, IVD producer, and infectious disease diagnostics center. Direct peer to INEP's combined NRL/IVD manufacturing/research model, though at much greater scale and with broader international mandate.
• Binding Site Group (Thermo Fisher Scientific): UK-based specialty diagnostics company (now part of Thermo Fisher) focused on immunology and protein diagnostics, particularly for immune system disorders. Comparable to INEP's immunodiagnostic kit production (especially antibody and protein-based assays) and its reference laboratory positioning for immunology testing.
• Svar Life Science AB: Swedish immunodiagnostics company (formerly Euro Diagnostica) producing IVD kits for autoimmune and infectious disease serology. Directly comparable to INEP's specialty immunodiagnostic manufacturing model and ELISA/immunofluorescence assay formats, with similar regulatory positioning in European markets.
• Trinity Biotech plc: Ireland-based specialty immunodiagnostics company developing and manufacturing clinical diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and hormones. Direct overlap with INEP's ELISA/IRMA-based immunodiagnostic kit portfolio and National Reference Laboratory-adjacent positioning in niche diagnostic categories.
• DiaSorin S.p.A. Italian specialty IVD manufacturer focused on immunodiagnostics and molecular diagnostics. Comparable to INEP in its specialization in immunodiagnostic kits (including specialty hormones, infectious disease serology) and CE-marked IVD portfolio, though operating at substantially larger scale with global distribution.
• Institut Torlak: Serbian public vaccine and biological products institute based in Belgrade. Closest direct institutional peer to INEP as another public-sector Serbian life sciences institute with both R&D and manufacturing functions, operating under similar regulatory and funding structures.
• INOVA Diagnostics (Werfen): US-based specialty diagnostics company owned by Werfen, focused on autoimmune disease diagnostics using ELISA and immunofluorescence technologies. Highly comparable to INEP's autoantibody and IIF test portfolio as well as its emphasis on specialty immunology with limited production scale.

Broad incumbents

• bioMérieux SA: French global IVD leader with extensive microbiology and immunoassay portfolio including ELISA-based infectious disease diagnostics. Operates as a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities to INEP in clinical diagnostics and reference testing, but at vastly larger scale and with global distribution.
• Sekisui Diagnostics: Global specialty diagnostics company (part of Sekisui Chemical) focused on clinical chemistry, immunoassays, and coagulation. Comparable to INEP in offering ELISA-based clinical chemistry and immunology reagents, but with significantly broader test menu and global footprint.

Others

• Istituto Superiore di Sanità: Italian national public health institute that hosts the European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites (EURLP), with which INEP cooperates on Trichinella reference testing. Indirectly connected as the apex institution coordinating INEP's NRL activities in the EU network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-the-application-of-nuclear-energy

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade