École Supérieure de Biologie-Biochimie-Biotechnologies

What École Supérieure de Biologie-Biochimie-Biotechnologies does

ESTBB (École Supérieure de Biologie-Biochimie-Biotechnologies) is a French non-profit higher-education institution founded in 1952 in Lyon and operating as a constituent school of the Université Catholique de Lyon (UCLy, founded 1875) under the AFPICL association (loi 1901, EESPIG-recognized). It delivers biotechnology, biochemistry, and life-sciences education through eight programs spanning Bac+3 to post-Doctorate levels: a five-year CTI-accredited engineering degree (the flagship, holding the regulatory "titre d'ingénieur" credential and renewed in 2025 for the maximum 5-year term), a Bachelor Assistant Ingénieur, a unique-in-France Licence Sciences de la Vie | Biologie & Humanités that cross-combines biology with humanities, four Bac+5 Master tracks (Biobank Manager, Innovation Management, Quality Management in Pharma & Biomedical, Health Industry Management), post-Master/post-Doctorate IPROB 5/8 pathways, and two distance-learning programs (e-Manager de Biobanques, DU Solidarité Internationale). Core assets include 15 teaching laboratories equipped for hands-on wet-lab training, a faculty of 77 permanent staff and 260 professional lecturers (industry practitioners), a network of approximately 4,100 alumni, and a partner ecosystem of roughly 1,400 companies and laboratories including Sanofi, Bayer, bioMérieux, Roche Diagnostic, Charles River Laboratories, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, and IARC.

The school runs a tuition-based revenue model with income-based pricing ranging from €5,024/year for CROUS scholarship recipients (échelon 1+) to €10,064/year for the highest-income bracket, plus €137/year in fixed fees (civil liability, library, health insurance, student associations, solidarity fund), application fees of €70-€180, and university registration of €170/year. Work-study (alternance) cohorts are funded directly by host companies, with application/marketing conducted via Parcoursup, regional education fairs (Mondial des Métiers, Studyrama), school open days, social channels, and a dedicated international student desk handling Erasmus (institutional code F LYON 10) and direct international admissions. Programs are delivered at the main Campus Saint-Paul in Lyon (headquarters) and a new Campus Alpes Europe in Annecy opening 2026, plus distance learning channels for global reach.

Annual enrollment is approximately 950 students, with reported employment outcomes of 88-100% within 6 months of graduation and 96% of Bachelor graduates placed through the partner network. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; based on enrollment scale, French private-engineering-school benchmarks, and the alternance revenue stream, annual revenue is estimated in the €10M-€25M range.

Name

École Supérieure de Biologie-Biochimie-Biotechnologies

Legal name

AFPICL - Association des Fondateurs et des Protecteurs de l'Institut Catholique de Lyon

Website

https://estbb.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ESTBB is a French non-profit biotechnology engineering school founded in 1952 in Lyon, part of UCLy, delivering CTI-accredited engineering, bachelor, master, and post-doctorate programs in biotechnology, biochemistry, and life sciences to roughly 950 students per year, with strong industry placement via 1,400+ corporate and laboratory partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: ESTBB generates revenue primarily through tuition fees paid by students. Fees vary based on family income (quotient familial), with CRSUS scholarship recipients (échelon 1+) receiving reduced rates or full coverage through the university or company (for work-study). International students pay higher fees for certain programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

ESTBB is a private biotechnology engineering school that delivers higher education programs from Bac+3 to Post-Doctorate levels, including a CTI-accredited five-year engineering degree, Bachelor, Licence, Master, and Post-Master pathways in biology, biochemistry, biobank management, pharmaceutical quality, and biotechnology innovation. Programs are delivered through on-campus instruction at Lyon and Annecy, work-study (alternance) tracks, and distance-learning formats, with 9–12 months of mandatory internships across the curriculum.

Product overview

ESTBB (École Supérieure de Biologie-Biochimie-Biotechnologies) is a biotechnology engineering school within the Catholic University of Lyon (UCLy) offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs in biology, biochemistry, and biotechnologies. The institution provides eight professional programs ranging from Bac+3 to Post-Doctorate levels: the five-year Engineering degree (CTI accredited) as its flagship program, three Bachelor/License programs (Assistant Engineer, Life Sciences with Humanities), four Master-level programs (Biobank Manager, Innovation Management, Quality Management in Pharma/Biomedical, Health Industry Management), specialized Post-Master/Post-Doctorate pathways (IPROB 5 & 8), and two distance learning options (International Solidarity DU and e-Manager de Biobanques). The school also hosts a specialized EPI-PSY Chair on epilepsy and psychiatry. Programs are available in initial, alternating (apprenticeship), and continuous education formats, with strong emphasis on practical laboratory experience (9-12 months of internships), international mobility, and ethical reflection in biotechnology applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• INGÉNIEUR spécialité Biotechnologie (Bac+5)
• BACHELOR Assistant Ingénieur Biologie-Biochimie-Biotechnologies (Bac+3) Three-year professional Bachelor program training laboratory technicians as versatile senior assistants competent in biology, biochemistry, bacteriology, virology, immunology, and cell culture.
• LICENCE Sciences de la Vie | Biologie & Humanités (Bac+3) Three-year Licence program in Life Sciences combining Biology with Humanities and Social Sciences, unique in France for its cross-disciplinary approach between scientific and humanistic education.
• MANAGER de Biobanques (Bac+5) Two-year Master-level program training executives for responsibility positions in biobanking and bioresource management.
• MANAGER en Biotechnologies - Pilotage de l'innovation (Bac+5) Master program offering dual scientific and managerial competence with ethical reflection, provided in partnership with ESDES management school.
• MASTER Management de la Qualité dans les Industries Pharmaceutiques et Biomédicales (Bac+5) Master program focused on quality management systems in pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, covering GMP, GLP, regulatory affairs, and clinical research.
• Management des industries santé et biotechs - IPROB 5 & IPROB 8 (Post-Master/Post-Doctorat) Professional development pathways for post-graduates and post-doctorates seeking executive positions in bio-industries, with 4 months of intensive training and 88% employment rate upon completion.
• DU Solidarité Internationale - Actions en Santé Humanitaire (Formation à distance) Distance learning diploma with 200 hours of e-learning preparing students to integrate health development programs in emergency and insecure situations, with mandatory 3-6 month field mission.
• e-Manager de Biobanques (Formation à distance) Distance learning version of the Biobank Manager program, allowing remote completion of the professional certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% employment rate directly upon graduation for post-Master program (IPROB 5)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SanoficoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanofi is a long-standing ESTBB partner hosting students on work-study contracts. The immunology laboratory head supervises ESTBB students who are well-educated in experimental practice and capable of contributing to complex biotechnology projects. Sanofi also works with students as experts to train them in bioprocesses.
• BayercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayer partners with ESTBB for plant protection products research and training. The Director of Research for Plant Protection Products notes that ESTBB offers courses aligned with biotechnology sector needs and provides students with access to teaching laboratories featuring cutting-edge equipment.
• bioMérieuxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench multinational in vitro diagnostics partner hosting ESTBB interns in laboratory and production environments within the biotechnology sector.
• Roche DiagnosticcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational diagnostic company partner providing internship opportunities and industry-aligned training for ESTBB biotechnology students.
• Charles River LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContract research organization (CRO) specializing in preclinical and clinical drug development services, hosting ESTBB interns for biotechnology projects.
• Episkin (R&D de L'Oréal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Oréal's R&D subsidiary focused on skin biology and reconstructed tissue models, partnering with ESTBB for internship and research collaboration.
• Centre International de Recherche sur le Cancer (CIRC/IARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHO International Agency for Research on Cancer located in Lyon, hosting ESTBB students for research internships in cancer research.
• INSERMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench National Institute for Health and Medical Research partner providing access to public research laboratories for ESTBB student internships.
• CNRScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench National Centre for Scientific Research partner providing research laboratory access for ESTBB biotechnology students.
• Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Lyon hospital group with Direction de la Recherche clinique et de l'innovation (DRCI) partner for clinical research training and hospital laboratory placements.
• Institut PasteurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLyon-based research institute with 1,200 researchers, 220 PhD students, and 150 nationalities represented, hosting ESTBB interns in infectious disease research.
• Institut MérieuxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily of institutions dedicated to infectious disease research and diagnostic development, with 3 biosafety level 3 labs, partnering with ESTBB for student training.
• Université Lyon 1minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner university for double degree programs, allowing ESTBB students to also register for Licence Génie Biologique or Master programs.
• ESDES (École de Management de l'UCLy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESTBB partners with ESDES management school to offer the 'Ethical management of biotechnological innovations' specialization, allowing students to obtain both the engineering diploma and the ESDES 'Management et gestion des entreprises' degree.
• CNAM Rhône-AlpesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCNAM national conservatory provides double degree opportunity for Bachelor Assistant Engineer students to also obtain the 'Licence générale Sciences, technologies, santé' national diploma.
• Sorbonne UniversitéminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner university for double degree enrollment option, allowing ESTBB students to also register for complementary programs.
• Goethe-Universität FrankfurtminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman partner university in Frankfurt for student exchange semesters and international internships.
• Universidad Católica de ValenciaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpanish partner university in Valencia for exchange semesters, with students reporting enriching intercultural academic experiences.
• Université de SherbrookeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian partner university in Quebec for exchange semesters and international experience.
• University of Houston Clear LakeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS partner university in Texas for international exchange and study abroad opportunities.
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorwegian partner university in Trondheim for student exchange programs.
• Macquarie UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian partner university in Sydney for international exchange semesters.
• Pontifical Catholic University of ParanáminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrazilian partner university for international exchange programs.
• Pazmany Peter Catholic UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHungarian partner university in Budapest for student exchange.
• Czech University of Life Sciences PragueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCzech partner university for exchange semesters.
• Universidad IcesiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColombian partner university for international exchange programs.
• Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLyon-based international research center focused on infectious diseases, hosting ESTBB interns.
• Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de LyoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLyon cancer research center partner for student internships in oncology research.
• Institute for Advanced Biosciences (Grenoble)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrenoble-based research institute hosting ESTBB students for internships.
• Établissement Français du Sang (EFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Blood Establishment partner providing research and training opportunities for ESTBB students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• ESDES Lyon: UCLy's sister management school and ESTBB's dual-degree partner; while primarily a business school, its Management & Gestion des Entreprises program is the management counterpart that ESTBB students access for dual competence.
• EPITECH - École Pour l'Informatique et les Techniques Innovantes: Private French tech school with growing biotech/healthtech digital specializations; competes partially with ESTBB's Digital Transformation & e-Health engineering track for tech-oriented life sciences students.

Broad incumbents

• AgroParisTech: Prestigious French grande école focused on life sciences, agriculture, and biotechnology engineering; offers similar bioengineering tracks with much stronger national brand recognition and broader life sciences portfolio.
• INSA Lyon: Large public engineering school in Lyon with biotechnology specializations within its Biosciences department; competes for the same Lyon-based biotech talent pool but offers broader engineering programs at lower tuition.
• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: Major public research university in Lyon offering Licence, Master, and Doctorate programs in biology and biotechnology at significantly lower tuition; a direct competitor for the same regional student pool.
• Polytech Lyon: Public engineering school network member offering a Génie Biologique et Biochimique specialty; comparable in offering biotech engineering tracks but as part of a broader engineering portfolio at public-school pricing.

Regional players

• Sorbonne Université - Master Biologie Intégrative et Physiologie: Paris-based public university with master programs in life sciences and a double-degree partner of ESTBB; competes in Paris while partnering with ESTBB, representing both ally and competitor in different regions.
• Institut Pasteur - Teaching Programs: Lyon-based research institute with 1,200 researchers that hosts ESTBB interns and offers its own training programs in infectious disease research; partial overlap as a partner and adjacent training provider in biotech.

Direct peers

• ESBS (École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg): Strasbourg-based biotechnology engineering school with comparable CTI-accredited engineering degree and industry integration model; competes with ESTBB for French biotech engineering students in a different regional market.
• Sup'Biotech Paris: Private Paris-based engineering school exclusively focused on biotechnology, offering engineering degrees, bachelor, and master programs with strong industry partnerships — directly comparable in mission, size, and program portfolio to ESTBB.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ESTBB_Lyon
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ESTBBLyon
• Facebookfacebook.com/EstbbLyon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/estbb---ecole-sup%C3%A9rieure-de-biologie---biochimie---biotechnologies
• Instagraminstagram.com/estbb_lyon
• TikToktiktok.com/@ucly_universite?lang=fr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about École Supérieure de Biologie-Biochimie-Biotechnologies