Cnr - Istituto di Nanotecnologia

What Cnr - Istituto di Nanotecnologia does

CNR-Nanotec (Istituto di Nanotecnologia) is the Italian National Research Council's institute dedicated to nanosciences and nanotechnology, founded in 2015 and headquartered at Campus Ecotekne in Lecce, with three additional research centers in Rome (S.Li.M Lab), Bari (PlasmaCheM), and Rende (LiCryl). The institute hosts approximately 200 researchers and students across physics, chemistry, engineering, materials science, biology, and medicine, organized around six research areas: Advanced Devices, Materials Science, Nano Biotechnology, Computational Physics and Biology, Photonics & Optoelectronics, and PlasmaCheM. Its core technical platforms include the worldwide-patented Scattering Assisted Imaging (SAI) technology that improves optical resolution by a factor of 2.5, fluorescent ratiometric sensors for metabolite and pH detection, automated platforms for CAR-T cell production quality analysis, and 3D tumor models for drug screening and personalized medicine applications.

The institute's revenue model is entirely public-funded through competitive grants, with no commercial product sales. Primary funding sources include the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant INTERCELLMED, ERC Proof of Concept HySENSE), Italian and EU programs (PON Ricerca e Innovazione for the TITAN project at €4.59M, PNRR/MUR for Fit4MedRob, FESR for LOCALSCENT), and charitable research foundations (AIRC grants for cancer research). Customers and partners span academic institutions (Università di Salento, Politecnico di Bari, Università Federico II Napoli, La Sapienza, IIT, University of Minho, LMU Munich, Maastricht University MERLN, UFPR Brazil), clinical partners (Hospital Vito Fazzi, IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II Bari, Ospedale San Raffaele), and industrial collaborators (STMicroelectronics, Crest Optics). The go-to-market is community-led, relying on scientific publications, conference participation, technology transfer to industry, and public engagement events.

Major externally funded projects include INTERCELLMED (3D tumor model sensing, ~€1.5M), HySENSE (single-cell metabolic flux analysis), TITAN (CAR-T immunotherapy automation, €4.59M), LOCALSCENT (Alzheimer's retinal imaging diagnostics), Fit4MedRob (rehabilitation robotics), and the AIRC RESTORE project on pancreatic cancer coordinated by Riccardo Rizzo. The institute operates as part of Italy's national research infrastructure under the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), with no private equity ownership, no public stock listing, and no commercial revenue stream. Its competitive positioning is defined by patented imaging IP, a broad multidisciplinary research base, and a credentialed pipeline of ERC-grade grants.

Name

Cnr - Istituto di Nanotecnologia

Legal name

Istituto di Nanotecnologia - CNR Nanotec (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche)

Website

https://nanotec.cnr.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CNR-Nanotec is Italy's National Research Council institute for nanotechnology, founded in 2015 with ~200 researchers across four Italian centers. It conducts public-funded research in nanobiotechnology, biosensing, photonics, and advanced materials, primarily serving academic, clinical, and industrial partners through government and ERC grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nanotechnology Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Synthetic Biology & Genetic Circuit Design Platforms (pathway engineering, chassis development) (HLAAAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics Laboratories (HLAFAMAE)

Keywords

• Nanoscience research
• Nanotechnology development
• Biomedical nanotech
• Drug delivery systems
• Biosensing platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Lecce

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding: As a CNR (National Research Council of Italy) institute, CNR-Nanotec is primarily funded through government research grants, EU funding programs (Horizon Europe, PON, PNRR), and public research financing.
2. Project-Based Research Contracts: Funded research projects including ERC grants (INTERCELLMED, HySENSE), AIRC cancer research grants, PRIN funding, and regional POR FESR/FSE projects with defined budgets.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CNR-Nanotec is a public research institute that develops fundamental and applied research in nanosciences and nanotechnology, gathering scientists from physics, chemistry, engineering, materials science, biology, and medicine. It develops cutting-edge experimental techniques and modeling tools across six main research areas (Advanced Devices, Materials Science, Nano Biotechnology, Computational Physics and Biology, Photonics & Optoelectronics, and PlasmaCheM), with major applications in cancer diagnostics, immunotherapy, biosensing, and precision medicine. The institute conducts funded research projects and transfers technology to industrial partners through licensing and collaborative R&D.

Product overview

CNR-Nanotec is a research institute of the Italian National Research Council that develops fundamental and applied research in nanosciences and nanotechnology. The institute comprises four main research centers (CNR Nanotec @Lecce, S.Li.M Lab @Rome, PlasmaCheM @Bari, LiCryl @Rende) and focuses on six main research areas: Advanced Devices, Materials Science, Nano Biotechnology, Computational Physics and Biology, Photonics & Optoelectronics, and PlasmaCheM. Key research initiatives include the INTERCELLMED ERC project (3D tumor model sensing) and HySENSE (single-cell metabolic flux analysis). The institute, founded in 2015, hosts approximately 200 researchers and students from physics, chemistry, engineering, materials science, biology, and medicine disciplines, collaborating with academic, institutional, and industrial partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CNR Nanotec @Lecce: Primary research center located in Lecce focusing on nanotechnology research
• S.Li.M Lab @Rome
• PlasmaCheM @Bari
• LiCryl @Rende(CS)

Products and services

• INTERCELLMED Project (Sensing CELL-cell INTERaction heterogeneity in 3D tumor models: towards precision MEDicine) Funded research project focused on synthesis of multifunctional systems for biosensing, tissue engineering, and therapy, including optical sensing platforms for non-invasive real-time drug screening and cell metabolism analyses on patient-derived 3D models. Targeted at precision medicine research community and healthcare providers.
• HySENSE Project (Advanced Sensing Platforms for Single-Cell Metabolic Flux Analysis in Heterogeneous Cell Systems) ERC-POC follow-on project developing advanced sensing platforms for single-cell metabolic flux analysis in heterogeneous cell systems. Targeted at biomedical and pharmaceutical research applications.
• TITAN Project (Nanotecnologie per l'immunoterapia dei tumori) Large-scale research project receiving €4.59 million in PON funding to develop automated platforms for CAR-T cell analysis and non-viral transduction strategies for cancer immunotherapy. Targeted at clinical research community and pharmaceutical/industrial partners.
• 3D Cell Sensing Research Group Research group working on synthesis of optical sensing platforms for non-invasive real-time drug screening and cell metabolism analyses on patient-derived 3D models, fabrication of biocompatible stimuli-responsive patches for local administration of therapeutic agents, and quantitative live cell microscopy. Serves biomedical and pharmaceutical research communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• SAI imaging technique improves optical resolution by a factor of 2.5
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ospedale San RaffaelecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Clinical research partner in the TITAN project for CAR-T immunotherapy development. Contributing clinical expertise and patient samples for the development of automated quality analysis platforms for CAR-T cell production.
• Politecnico di BaricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in TITAN project contributing expertise in bioengineering and biomedical technologies for the development of automated immunotherapy production platforms.
• Università degli Studi di Roma La SapienzacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in multiple projects including TITAN and LOCALSCENT. PI Dr. Paola Baiocco involved in Alzheimer's diagnostic research.
• Fondazione Istituto Italiano di TecnologiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in LOCALSCENT project for Alzheimer's diagnostic development. Contributes expertise in nanotechnology and advanced materials.
• University of Minho (3B's Research Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaboration with Prof. Miguel Oliveira's group on biomaterials, 3D printing, and biofabrication for tissue engineering applications. Multiple joint publications and researcher exchanges.
• Italian Institute of Technology (IIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Dr. Teresa Pellegrino's Nanomaterials for Biological Applications group on magnetic nanoparticles, cancer nanomedicines, and biomedical applications.
• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Olivia Merkel and Dr. Karin Bartel's group on nanomedicine, drug delivery, and cancer research. Researcher exchanges and joint supervision of PhD students.
• Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), BrazilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with Prof. Carolina C de Oliveira's group on nanomaterials, gum arabic gold nanoparticles, and 3D tumor models. ERC-CONFAP-CNPq joint projects and regular researcher exchanges.
• Hospital Vito Fazzi, LeccecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical collaboration for generation of ex vivo models of pancreatic cancer combining 3D bioengineered matrices and patient-derived cells. Partnership with multiple hospital departments including General Surgery, Dermatology, and Pathological Anatomy.
• IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II, BaricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical research partnership in oncology with Dr. Amalia Azzariti. Collaborative work on pancreatic cancer models and drug resistance studies.
• Maastricht University (MERLN Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Lorenzo Moroni's group on 3D printing, scaffolds, and biofabrication for regenerative medicine and cancer research. Joint publications and Erasmus exchanges.
• Tecnomed PugliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional technology park for precision medicine located at CNR-Nanotec campus. Supports technology transfer, startup incubation, and industrial collaboration in medical technologies.
• Biofisika Institute (CSIC, EHU), SpaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Dr. Daniele De Martino on biophysics research and visiting researcher exchanges.
• Università di GenovaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Laura Pastorino on biomedical applications of nanotechnology.
• Politecnico di TorinominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Dr. Andrea De Martino on computational modeling and analysis.
• European Institute of Oncology (IEO), MilanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Dr. Luigi Nezi on cancer research applications.
• TIGEM - Telethon Institute of Genetics and MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Dr. Gennaro Napolitano on genetic and molecular aspects of cancer research.
• Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, PisaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Cristian Cipriani on biomedical technologies.
• Università Federico II NapolicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Paolo Netti on advanced biomaterials and biomedical engineering applications.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MIT.nano / Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research: MIT's nanoscale research and cancer research centers driving innovation in nanomedicine, biosensing, and translational oncology. Comparable in research focus areas (especially 3D tumor models, CAR-T, biosensing) but at materially larger scale and funding base.
• CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique): France's largest public research organization with broad nanotechnology, materials science, and life sciences research. The French structural equivalent to CNR, comparable in scale, scope, and funding model (competitive public grants).
• Max Planck Institute for Medical Research: Leading German public research institute conducting biomedical and biophysical research at the molecular and nanoscale. Comparable to CNR-Nanotec in its mission to advance fundamental science with biomedical applications, though operating at a larger scale and broader scope.
• European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL): Intergovernmental research organization in life sciences with strong molecular biology, imaging, and structural biology capabilities. Comparable to CNR-Nanotec in its public funding model and excellence in biomedical research instrumentation, though more focused on molecular/cellular biology.
• ETH Zurich (Department of Materials and D-HEST): Swiss public research university with leading nanotechnology and biomedical engineering programs. Comparable to CNR-Nanotec in pursuing nanoscale materials, biosensing, and translational biomedical research, with a larger international footprint and industry links.
• CSIC (Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas): Spain's largest public research institution covering nanoscience, materials, and biomedical research. Comparable to CNR-Nanotec as a government-funded multidisciplinary research organization with international collaborations and a similar funding structure.

Direct peers

• Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Pellegrino Group: Specifically, the Nanomaterials for Biological Applications group at IIT is a closely aligned peer, working on magnetic nanoparticles, cancer nanomedicines, and biomedical applications—overlapping with CNR-Nanotec's biosensing and nanomedicine programs and an active co-development partner.
• Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT): Italy's primary translational research foundation with strong nanobiotechnology, nanomaterials, and biomedical research programs. IIT is a direct peer given its overlapping research domains (nanomedicine, smart materials, biomedical devices) and shared ecosystem with CNR-Nanotec, including co-participation in LOCALSCENT.

Emerging players

• Weizmann Institute of Science: Israeli multidisciplinary research institution with strong departments in Materials, Chemistry, and Biological Regulation. Comparable to CNR-Nanotec in its focus on nanotechnology applied to biomedical problems and biomarker/probe development, though with different funding sources.
• Maastricht University (MERLN Institute): Dutch research institute focused on biofabrication, 3D printing, and regenerative medicine. Directly comparable to CNR-Nanotec's biomaterials and 3D tumor model work, with an active research partnership already in place.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cnrnanotec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cnrnanotec420/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/CnrNanotec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cnr-nanotec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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