Swiss Stem Cell Foundation

What Swiss Stem Cell Foundation does

Swiss Stem Cell Foundation (SSCF) is an independent, non-profit foundation established in 2009 in Lugano, Switzerland, with a research laboratory in Vacallo. It pursues research and development in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF), with the goal of developing new cell therapies for human medical use. Its core technical assets include GMP-compliant protocols for processing adipose tissue, MSC cryopreservation offering up to 30-year storage, MSC expansion for clinical use, exosome production and characterization, and the SSCF Research Biobank authorized by the Canton Ticino Ethics Committee (Rif. CE 2961). Notable scientific output includes a 2018 Nature publication (with EPFL and ETH Zurich) on aReg cells and twelve peer-reviewed publications in Medline-indexed journals; a China-granted patent covers the adipose tissue extraction process, and the SSCF brand is trademarked in the EU and China.

SSCF operates a hybrid GTM in which research services, GMP-compliant cell production, and cryopreservation services are delivered to surgical and clinical specialists (plastic surgeons, orthopedists, regenerative medicine practitioners), while international research collaborations with EPFL, ETH Zurich, Politecnico di Torino, Aix-Marseille University, University of Insubria, and IRCCS Besta distribute expertise and build scientific credibility. Revenue is generated through professional services (research and consultancy), GMP cryopreservation services, Academy training courses (CHF 450 per participant), and donations (with Certificates of Donation issued). The foundation runs the annual iCAST congress series since 2015 (9 editions) and Academy hands-on training programs at partner clinics (Clinique Genolier, Clinique Sant'Anna).

Major upcoming capacity is the Regenerative Medicine Institute — a 3,300 sqm applied research facility in the Lugano hospital district scheduled for completion by end of 2025, designed to accommodate GMP clean rooms, genetics labs, diagnostics labs, biobanking facilities, and lab space for approximately 50 researchers. The foundation is governed by a Board of Foundation Members and a Scientific Committee, with Dr. Gianni Soldati serving as President and Director of Research.

Name

Swiss Stem Cell Foundation

Legal name

Swiss Stem Cell Foundation

Website

https://sscf.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Swiss Stem Cell Foundation is a non-profit research foundation (est. 2009, Lugano, ~10 employees) that develops GMP-compliant adipose-derived stem cell therapies, operates an ethics-committee-authorized biobank, and delivers research services, cryopreservation, training courses, and the annual iCAST congress to clinicians and academic partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regenerative Medicine Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies (HLAAAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Stem cell research
• Regenerative medicine
• Cell therapy services
• GMP cell processing
• Medical research education

Headquarters

HQ city

Lugano

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research services and consultancy: Provision of services in analysis and research domains, including consultancy through qualified professionals on new products, tools, medical devices, and therapies. As a non-profit foundation, revenues support research and development activities.
2. GMP cryopreservation services: Cryopreservation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a service for future medical needs, including GMP-compliant processing of SVF for clinical use.
3. Education and training programs: Organization and delivery of Academy courses and professional training for healthcare operators on stem cell therapies and adipose tissue handling. Course fees (e.g., CHF 450 per participant) contribute to operational funding.
4. Donations and charitable contributions: The foundation accepts donations to support stem cell research and development of new stem cell therapies, issuing Certificates of Donation to contributors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Swiss Stem Cell Foundation is an independent non-profit foundation pursuing research and development in stem cells, focused on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF). It provides GMP-compliant isolation, characterization, cryopreservation, and expansion services for MSCs, operates an ethics-committee-authorized research biobank, and develops new cell therapies for human medical use. The foundation also delivers professional training through its Academy program and disseminates knowledge via the annual iCAST international congress on adipose stem cell treatments.

Product overview

The Swiss Stem Cell Foundation operates as a non-profit research foundation offering a portfolio of stem cell research and development services. The core offering centers on the SSCF Research Biobank for sample storage and the GMP-compliant production of mesenchymal stem cell products and adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction for cell therapies. Additional services include MSC cryopreservation, expansion for clinical use, and exosome characterization. The Foundation organizes the annual iCAST Congress Series (International Congress on Adipose Stem Cell Treatments) since 2015 and Academy training programs for professionals. A major upcoming development is the Regenerative Medicine Institute—a 3,300 sqm facility with GMP laboratories, biobanking spaces, and conference facilities planned for completion in 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SSCF: Abbreviated name used for Swiss Stem Cell Foundation in communications and materials.
• SSCF Research Biobank

Products and services

• SSCF Research Biobank Research biobank authorized by the Canton Ticino Ethics Committee (Ref CE 2961) providing pre-clinical research services including collection, storage, and characterization of mesenchymal stromal/stem cell samples from adipose tissue. Enables development of methodologies and technologies for isolation, characterization, and large-scale production of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells for research projects and future cell therapies in human medicine.

Quantifiable outcome

• 364 GMP-compliant SVF productions across multiple centers in a standardization study
• +1 more outcomes

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

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Dr. Bart Deplancke's Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics at EPFL. Joint project on single-cell characterization of SVF populations and sub-populations. Resulted in Nature publication (2018) on aReg cells. Ongoing collaboration for characterization of substances produced by aReg cells.
• ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with ETH Zurich alongside EPFL in the identification of aReg cell populations in adipose tissue (Nature 2018 publication).
• Politecnico di TorinomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Gianluca Ciardelli, Professor of Bionanotechnology in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Joint research on 3D bioprinting of human adipose-derived stem cells and tenogenic differentiation.
• Université de Marseille (Aix-Marseille University)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Guy Magalon (emeritus professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery) and Dr. Jeremy Magalon. Joint research on SVF standardization, scleroderma treatment, and adipose tissue processing devices.
• University of Insubria (Varese, Italy)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Rosalba Gornati. Joint research on tenogenic differentiation of ASCs and chondrogenic differentiation. Also involved in PhD training programs.
• LDM Laboratorio Diagnostica Molecolare (Lugano)majorTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with Dr. Mauro Gola (Director of Scientific Research, responsible for medical genetics). Joint work on molecular diagnostics and genetics related to stem cell therapies.
• IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (Milan)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal scientific agreement between IRCCS and SSCF for collaborative research in neurology and regenerative medicine.
• PBL Parma (Italy)supportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with PBL Parma on automated robotic GMP laboratory technologies for stem cell processing.
• University of Milan (UNIMI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration with University of Milan for research in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies.
• Hemostemix (Calgary, Canada)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with Canadian biotech company Hemostemix on cell therapy research.
• Ambrose Cell Therapy (Los Angeles, USA)supportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with US-based cell therapy company on technology and therapeutic applications.
• Tiger Biosciences (USA)supportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with US-based biosciences company on stem cell technologies.
• Clinique Genolier (Genolier, Switzerland)supportingOthersHost venue for Academy training courses and iCAST conferences. Partnership for delivery of hands-on training on adipose tissue harvesting and preparation for regenerative medicine. Course held February 28, 2024.
• Clinique Sant'Anna (Sorengo, Switzerland)supportingOthersHost venue for Academy training courses. Partnership for delivery of hands-on mini-liposuction training workshop held July 19, 2024.
• LipocubesupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for mechanical adipose tissue dissociation using the Lipocube device. Lipocube dedicated operator guided training during Academy courses on tissue processing technique.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lonza Group: Global contract development and manufacturing organization with major cell and gene therapy manufacturing services. Comparable to SSCF's GMP-compliant SVF and MSC production capabilities, but at vastly greater scale and commercial breadth.
• Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult: UK-based center of excellence for cell and gene therapy development, including GMP manufacturing facilities and training. Comparable as a translational research and GMP manufacturing hub, though at much larger scale and with broader portfolio.
• STEMCELL Technologies: Commercial provider of cell culture media, reagents, and tools for stem cell research. Operates in the same MSC research ecosystem as SSCF, supplying researchers with materials used in similar workflows.

Peers

• EuroStemCell:

Emerging players

• CellGenix: Manufacturer of GMP-grade cell culture reagents and cytokines used in cell and gene therapy manufacturing. Comparable to SSCF's GMP-compliant production focus, but specialized in raw materials rather than cell products.
• Pluristem Therapeutics: Clinical-stage cell therapy company using placenta-derived mesenchymal-like cells. Operates in overlapping MSC therapy space with similar therapeutic targets (critical limb ischemia, orthopedic indications).
• Mesoblast: Clinical-stage cell therapy company developing mesenchymal lineage cell therapies. Targets overlapping indications (cardiovascular, orthopedic) and works with the same MSC/SVF cell types as SSCF, but as a publicly funded commercial entity.

Direct peers

• California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM): State-funded research agency that funds and accelerates stem cell research and therapies in California. Comparable in mission (advancing stem cell science to clinical use) and structure (non-profit / public foundation), serving as a similar non-commercial model.
• Hemostemix: Canadian clinical-stage cell therapy company and a named collaborator of SSCF. Develops autologous cell therapies from blood and adipose tissue, working on overlapping therapeutic indications (critical limb ischemia, ischemic conditions).
• New York Stem Cell Foundation: Independent non-profit research institute focused on stem cell research and translational applications. Most structurally similar peer to SSCF, both operating as foundations combining R&D, training, and community-building in stem cell science.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swiss-stem-cell-foundation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Swiss Stem Cell Foundation