CEA Joliot

What CEA Joliot does

CEA Joliot (Institut des sciences du vivant Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric-Joliot) is a public fundamental research institute operating within the Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF) of France's CEA (Commissariat \u00e0 l'\u00c9nergie Atomique et aux \u00c9nergies Alternatives). Founded with its SHFJ component in 1958, the institute comprises four research entities: I2BC (Integrative Biology of the Cell), DMTS (Medicines and Technologies for Health), NeuroSpin (brain imaging), and SHFJ (nuclear medicine and clinical imaging), spread across the Paris-Saclay, Orsay, and Marcoule sites. Its core technology platforms span ultra-high-field MRI (including the Iseult 11.7T human system and the world's most powerful horizontal preclinical 17.2T/730 MHz MRI), biomedical cyclotron-based radioisotope production and radiopharmaceutical synthesis (18F, 11C, 15O, 89Zr, 177Lu), translational PET/CT and PET/MR imaging, ISO 9001-certified multi-omics mass spectrometry (proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics), molecular chemistry and labeling, and GMR biosensor biodetection.

The institute's portfolio is anchored by flagship infrastructure: the Iseult 11.7T magnet (installed May 2017) positions NeuroSpin on France's Very Large Research Infrastructure (TGIR) roadmap; SHFJ houses France's first biomedical cyclotron (1975) and first clinical PET-MR (2015); and the institute coordinates or participates in five national biology and health research infrastructures (INBS) including France Life Imaging, FRISBI, MetaboHUB, NeurATRIS, and ProFI. Technical differentiators include the kT-points MRI technology (licensed to Siemens Healthineers), the MAGNETOM Free.Max 0.55T low-field clinical MRI, and metamaterial radiofrequency antennas developed with Multiwave Technologies.

CEA Joliot does not operate a commercial revenue model. Research is funded through CEA institutional allocations, French national programs (Programmes d'Investissements d'Avenir, ANR), and European mechanisms (Horizon Europe, ERC, EIT Health, IHI). Platform access for external academic, clinical, and industrial collaborators is governed by collaborative research agreements, service contracts, and scientific committee review (e.g., the COSP at SHFJ). The institute serves three primary segments: academic and public research institutions (e.g., Universit\u00e9 Paris-Saclay, Institut Pasteur), healthcare providers and clinical partners (GHNE, GHU Paris, AP-HP, CHU de Caen), and industrial partners (Sanofi, Siemens Healthineers, NG Biotech, Multiwave Technologies, ANSES). Outputs include peer-reviewed publications, patents, trained doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, and clinical services (e.g., 4,500 patient examinations at SHFJ in 2025). Co-founded ventures include the Institut Robert-Debr\u00e9 du Cerveau de l'Enfant (founded 2025, foundation stone laid June 2026) with AP-HP, Inserm, Universit\u00e9 Paris Cit\u00e9, and Institut Pasteur.

Name

CEA Joliot

Legal name

Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA)

Website

https://joliot.cea.fr

Company type

Public

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CEA Joliot is a French public research institute within CEA operating four departments (I2BC, DMTS, NeuroSpin, SHFJ) that provide ultra-high-field MRI, PET imaging, radiopharmaceutical production, and multi-omics platforms to academic, clinical, and industrial collaborators, funded through public grants and European programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Life Sciences Research Infrastructure

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAGANAB

Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Services

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Specialty Lab Services (Genomics/Proteomics/Cellomics)

SECONDARYHLAGADAG

Proteomics & Biomarker Analytical Testing

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

SECONDARYHLAGAIAB

Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Laboratory Equipment, Instruments & Consumables

Keywords

• Biomedical imaging research
• Ultra-high field MRI
• Nuclear medicine imaging
• Proteomics mass spectrometry
• Radiopharmaceutical development

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris-Saclay (Saclay)

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CEA Joliot is a French public life sciences research institute operating four research departments (I2BC, DMTS, NeuroSpin, SHFJ) and a portfolio of advanced technological platforms including ultra-high-field MRI (up to 17.2T preclinical), PET/CT and PET/MR imaging, cyclotron-based radiotracer production, mass spectrometry for proteomics and metabolomics, molecular chemistry and labeling, and structural biology. Platforms are accessed by academic, clinical, and industrial partners through national research infrastructure frameworks, collaborative research agreements, and service contracts.

Product overview

CEA Joliot (Institut des sciences du vivant Frédéric-Joliot) is a life sciences research institute composed of four main research entities: I2BC (Integrative Biology of the Cell), DMTS (Medicines and Technologies for Health), NeuroSpin, and SHFJ (Service Hospitalier Frédéric-Joliot). The institute operates extensive technological platforms including in vivo imaging (clinical and preclinical MRI from 0.55T to 17.2T, PET/CT, PET/MRI, SPECT), mass spectrometry (proteomics, metabolomics), molecular chemistry and labeling (including radiochemistry), bioproduction, and structural biophysics. These platforms are organized within national research infrastructures like France Life Imaging (FLI), ProFI, MetaboHUB, and FRISBI, providing services to academic and industrial researchers. The institute focuses on fundamental biology, biomedical imaging, pharmaceutical development, and theranostic approaches for cancer and neurological diseases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NeuroSpin Brain Imaging Research Infrastructure

Quantifiable outcome

• Ultra-high field MRI (17.2T preclinical) achieves 25 μm isotropic spatial resolution for small animal brain imaging
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature7 records

Partnerships

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

• Institut PasteurflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Co-founder of the Institut Robert-Debré du Cerveau de l'Enfant with AP-HP, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, and CEA. President Emmanuel Macron laid the foundation stone on 10 June 2026 for this major child brain research institute.
• Université Paris CitéflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Co-founder of the Institut Robert-Debré du Cerveau de l'Enfant alongside AP-HP, Inserm, Institut Pasteur, and CEA. Represents one of France's major university research partnerships in neuroscience.
• AP-HP (Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026CEA and AP-HP held a first joint scientific day on 22 May 2026, highlighting existing collaborations in neuroimaging, omics, and diagnostic testing. The two institutions are strengthening partnerships to accelerate medical innovation for patients and French competitiveness. AP-HP is also a co-founder of the Institut Robert-Debré du Cerveau de l'Enfant with CEA, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, and Institut Pasteur.
• GHU Paris - Psychiatrie & NeurosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2025GHU Paris and BioMaps (SHFJ) conducted a 2-year longitudinal study on 27 Alzheimer's patients, tracking tau pathology via PET imaging and cortical atrophy via MRI, and correlating findings with cognitive decline. This joint clinical research demonstrates the translational research relationship.
• Groupe Hospitalier Nord-Essonne (GHNE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration agreement between SHFJ's nuclear medicine department and GHNE for clinical service provision. GHNE cardiologists assist with cardiac scintigraphy procedures (mandatory for exercise stress testing). First session held 24 February 2026 with three patients. GHNE consolidation of cardiology services from three hospitals (Orsay, Juvisy, Longjumeau) at the Saclay plateau strengthened the partnership. GHNE also a key partner for future Vectorized Internal Radiotherapy (VIR) services at the planned PASREL building.
• Multiwave TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Multiwave Technologies collaborated with NeuroSpin on metamaterial antennas for ultra-high-field MRI (published in Physical Review X), improving MRI image quality at extreme field strengths. Also partnered on kT-points technology and development ofReceiveArray (honeycomb) surface coil for temporal lobe imaging at 11.7T.
• Siemens Healthineers (V|LF-SPIRO 3D)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Siemens Healthineers is a key collaborator in the Horizon EIC Pathfinder V|LF-SPIRO 3D project (2023–2027, coordinated by Xavier Maitre), developing 3D spirometry by MRI using the MAGNETOM Free.Max system. This is a multi-partner project also involving major French and Dutch hospitals, INSERM, CNRS, and patient associations.
• Hôpital Louis Mourier (AP-HP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaborative study between SPI and Hôpital Louis Mourier demonstrated the value of LC-MS/MS for rapid quantification of biomarkers for acute hepatic porphyrias, improving daily clinical laboratory analytical needs.
• Siemens HealthineerscoreTechnology or Integration · 5 April 2021SHFJ operates Siemens equipment including the Biograph 6 PET/CT, ECAT HRRT brain PET, SIGNA PET-MR, and Inveon microPET systems. NeuroSpin holds a non-exclusive license agreement with Siemens Healthineers for the kT-points® MRI technology. Siemens is also a collaborator on the V|LF-SPIRO 3D project.
• ANSES (Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021SPI (DMTS) collaborated with ANSES to develop an immuno-capture and targeted mass spectrometry test for quantitative and multiplex identification of the eight main Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins in dairy products, responsible for food poisoning epidemics.
• EURAMED rocc-n-roll ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020EURAMED rocc-n-roll aims to produce a strategic research agenda and roadmap for medical applications of ionizing radiation and associated radioprotection. CEA Joliot participates in this EU-funded Coordination and Support Action (CSA) identifying synergies between radioprotection, health research, and digitization.
• NG BiotechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Co-development partnership with SPI (DMTS) producing the NG-TEST CARBA-5 for carbapenemase detection, which achieved FDA Breakthrough Device designation. Two additional co-developed antibiotic resistance tests also received FDA Breakthrough Device designation, expanding the global diagnostic arsenal against antimicrobial resistance.
• Université Paris-SaclaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018CEA Joliot is jointly operated with Université Paris-Saclay across multiple joint research units including UMR BioMaps and collaborative research units. The university and CEA jointly govern research programs and provide access to shared infrastructure including the Paris-Saclay campus platforms, accessible through Plug in Labs UPSaclay.
• CHU de CaenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018LDM-TEP team at SHFJ (GIP Cyceron, Caen) collaborated with CHU de Caen for the first clinical use of 18F-Fludarabine, an innovative radiopharmaceutical for lymphoproliferative disease imaging, demonstrating superior specificity and sensitivity versus standard 18F-FDG.
• EIT Health (European Institute of Innovation and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018EIT Health co-funded BL DetecTool (2018, coordinated by Hervé Volland LERI/SPI) and AMR DetecTool (2020, ongoing) — projects developing antibiotic resistance detection tests. These represent the first DRF-CEA projects funded by EIT Health.
• France Life Imaging (FLI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011FLI is a National Infrastructure in Biology and Health (INBS) financed by the Programme d'Investissements d'Avenir (ANR-11-INBS-0006), coordinating and harmonizing French technological research in preclinical and clinical imaging. CEA Joliot's NeuroSpin and SHFJ platforms are core nodes of FLI. FLI received €6.2M supplementary funding (2020–2025).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Karolinska Institutet / Karolinska University Hospital imaging research: Swedish medical university with parallel translational PET-MRI research, longitudinal Alzheimer's cohorts, and industry pharma partnerships analogous to SHFJ/BioMaps.
• Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics / Neuroscience: German public research institutes operating ultra-high-field MRI and cognitive neuroscience programs with comparable infrastructure scale and public funding model.
• Francis Crick Institute: UK biomedical discovery institute with publicly funded core facilities and translational mandate, comparable scale and academic-industrial access model.
• Allen Institute for Brain Science: US non-profit brain research organization with large-scale neuroimaging and data infrastructure, comparable platform-based model for serving academic and industry users.
• Helmholtz Zentrum München / German Centers for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE): German national research infrastructure centers operating translational imaging, radiochemistry, and neurodegenerative disease programs — the closest European institutional analogue in mandate.
• Institut Pasteur: Large French non-profit biomedical research institute in Paris with comparable basic-to-translational research mandate, joint units, and co-founding role in Institut Robert-Debré du Cerveau de l'Enfant.
• CEA-Jacob (Institut de Biologie et de Technologies Innovantes pour la Santé): Sister CEA institute co-located at Paris-Saclay, focused on immunology, infectious disease, and genomics. Operates overlapping translational and clinical research platforms with shared CEA governance and funding channels.

Broad incumbents

• INSERM: French national institute for health and medical research; much larger scale and broader portfolio, but operates many joint research units with CEA Joliot (e.g., IDMIT for immuno-PET), making it the closest strategic counterpart.
• CNRS (Centre national de la recherche scientifique): France's largest public fundamental research organization; co-governs multiple Joliot-affiliated units and shares infrastructure funding channels (INBS, Labex).

Emerging players

• Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP): German Leibniz institute with combined NMR/spectroscopy and structural biology infrastructure, overlapping with Joliot's proteomics and structural biology platforms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cea_officiel
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CEA
• Facebookfacebook.com/cea.pageofficielle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cea-joliot
• Instagraminstagram.com/cea_officiel

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CEA Joliot