Stem Genomics’ stability testing platform will bolster Clean Cells’ cell therapy quality control suite, offering full analytical continuum, from early genomic integrity checks through to GMP lot release.
Deal expands company’s US cell and gene therapy footprint, with Stem Genomics’ Durham, North Carolina laboratory in same location as Clean Cells’ KaryoLogic site, delivering combined genomic stability testing and karyotyping services Nantes, France, June 18, 2026 – Clean Cells, a leading biopharmaceutical quality control services provider specializing in biologics GMP testing, today announces the acquisition of Stem Genomics, a provider of next-generation quality controls for stem cell therapy, including the company’s core asset, its iCS-digital™ PSC technology platform. This strategic purchase complements Clean Cells’ offerings as a GMP specialist for advanced cell therapies, enabling the company to provide clients with proprietary genomic stability testing designed specifically for the testing of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Cell and gene therapy developers need reliable partners. With this deal, we are expanding our ability to support research teams from their early genomic stability testing through to cell banking and viral safety testing to GMP lot release. Stem Genomics brings its innovative proprietary technology, a strong US footprint and an expert team that understands stem cell biology at a level that takes years to build. This is the missing piece that completes our cell therapy quality control platform,” said Laurent Claisse, CEO of Clean Cells.
Clean Cells will acquire Stem Genomics in its entirety, including Stem Genomics SAS (France), covering worldwide operations outside the US, as well as the US corporation, Stem Genomics Inc., based in Durham, North Carolina. This includes the full intellectual property portfolio, proprietary technologies, brand, equipment and existing client relationships.
Stem Genomics’ main asset is the iCS-digital™ Pluripotent Stem Cells (PSC) technology platform, a proprietary digital PCR (dPCR)-based assay for genomic stability testing of hPSCs. The platform detects more than 93% of recurrent chromosomal abnormalities in stem cells cultures and is deployed as both a CRO (Contract Research Organization) service and as the iCS-digital™ kit. Additional assets include the Stem-Seq™ next-generation sequencing panel for high-resolution genomic stability analysis and the Pluri-digital™ assay for pluripotency and differentiation monitoring. Together, these technologies set a quality bar that few CROs in this space can match, offering data directly usable for regulatory submissions.
This acquisition by Clean Cells comes at a strategic time. The stem cell assay industry is projected to grow from $4.6 billion in 2025 to $10.27 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 8.22%. iPSC-derived therapies also represent one of the fastest-growing areas in regenerative medicine, with programs targeting oncology, neurological disorders and rare diseases.
At the same time, regulatory bodies around the world are increasingly requiring rigorous genomic integrity documentation before clinical use, driving developers to work with partners who can deliver genomic quality control that is both scientifically robust and scalable.
“Building Stem Genomics has taken years of dedication. What convinced us to join Clean Cells was simple: the people driving the group and a shared commitment to delivering the best quality genomic services. We built this company to help researchers trust their cell lines and with Clean Cells we can now follow those same clients all the way into the clinic. This is a critical next step for us,” said Nicolas Chapal, CEO of Stem Genomics, the company that he co-founded with Pr. John De Vos and Dr. Saïd Assou, researchers at the University of Montpellier, France.
To ensure continuity and operational excellence, Nicolas Chapal will serve as managing director of the new Stem Cell Business Unit, leading both Stem Genomics and the previously acquired KaryoLogic, which is conveniently located in the same building. All 17 employees from Stem Genomics are retained across both the French and US entities; the two sites will continue operating without interruption.
The Grabels site (near Montpellier, France) remains the operational headquarters for R&D testing, with the team staying on board to ensure existing client workflows are unaffected. In the United States, Stem Genomics Inc is co-located with KaryoLogic at Research Triangle Park in Durham, North Carolina. This reinforces Clean Cells’ presence in the US cell and gene therapy testing market, placing the group in a strong position to serve major US biotech clusters, where the majority of iPSC-based clinical programs are concentrated. The proximity of these sites supports efficient integration and provides streamlined access to genomic stability testing and karyotyping services.
“This acquisition highlights how we aim to build leaders in specialized life sciences services: with proprietary technology, regulatory expertise and the geographic reach to serve clients wherever they develop. Stem Genomics combined with Clean Cells’ GMP platform and KaryoLogic’s US presence now allows the Clean Biologics Group to cover the full quality control range for the fastest-growing segment of the biopharmaceutical market,” said Ludovic Alonzi, Partner at ARCHIMED, the healthcare-focused private equity firm and Clean Cell’s majority shareholder.
About Stem Genomics
Stem Genomics provides next-generation quality controls for cell therapy. It helps scientists assess the genomic stability of their cell lines with specific assays and recommended workflows for the cell type they work with. Today, Stem Genomics works with 150+ clients worldwide, from academic institutions to biotech companies and core facilities. Stem Genomics services North American clients from its laboratory based in the Research Triangle in Durham, North Carolina, and European and other international clients from its headquarters in Montpellier, France. www.stemgenomics.com
About Clean Cells
Clean Cells is a subsidiary of Clean Biologics. It offers (i) quality control and biological safety tests for biopharmaceutical products to assist in regulatory compliance, (ii) production of cell banks and GMP-grade BSL2/BSL3 virus seed stock, (iii) supply of secure storage for these products, alongside development and validation of bespoke analysis tools. The company was created in 2000, when the co-founders received grants from the Aventis–Institut de France Foundation to offer innocuity testing for biopharmaceuticals. Clean Cells is now one of the largest European companies within this sector. Its strong customer focus and sizable product catalog (which expands annually) have made it a key player in the development of novel treatments and in personalized medicine. Clean Cells also stands out for its ability to react and adapt to its customers’ needs and the transparency of its production and quality control processes. Clean Cells is headquartered near Nantes, in Western France, and operates in the United States through its subsidiary KaryoLogic Inc., located in Durham, North Carolina.
Clean Cells is an ARCHIMED Life Science Tools & Services company.
www.clean-cells.com
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