NMDP Company Profile

Background

NMDP, formerly known as the National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match, is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through cellular therapy. Established in 1987 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, NMDP operates the world's most diverse registry of blood stem cell and marrow donors. The organization's mission is to connect patients with their genetically matched stem cell donors and provide comprehensive support throughout the transplant journey, from diagnosis through recovery. Over the years, NMDP has facilitated more than 125,000 blood stem cell and marrow transplants, offering hope and a second chance at life to patients worldwide.

Key Strategic Focus

NMDP's strategic focus revolves around three primary pillars:

1. Accelerate Progress: Advancing the cell therapy ecosystem to provide cures so all patients can thrive. This includes driving transformative research through the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), a collaboration with the Medical College of Wisconsin.

2. Serve as a World-Class Partner: Delivering best-in-class services and experiences as the essential partner in cell therapy. This involves connecting patients to their best cell source—from search through delivery—and partnering with a network of transplant centers, apheresis centers, collection centers, cord blood banks, and donor centers.

3. Expand Access: Removing barriers to equitable access to life-saving cell therapies. This includes supporting patients and their families by advocating on a legislative level, providing direct support services like navigation and counseling, and removing financial barriers that prevent them from pursuing treatment.

NMDP's primary areas of specialization include hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, cord blood transplantation, and the development of next-generation cell and gene therapies. The organization targets a wide range of conditions, including blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, as well as other blood disorders.

Financials and Funding

As a nonprofit organization, NMDP relies on a combination of government funding, philanthropic contributions, and service fees to support its operations. The organization receives annual funding from the U.S. government through the Health Resources and Services Administration, as well as support from the U.S. Navy. Additionally, NMDP generates income from donations, fees charged for database searches, and fees charged to transplanting hospitals once a match is found and the stem cells have been transferred. In 2023, NMDP provided $5.5 million in assistance to more than 2,600 families, highlighting its commitment to supporting patients throughout their transplant journey.

Pipeline Development

NMDP is actively involved in several key clinical trials aimed at improving transplant outcomes and expanding access to cell therapies:

OPTIMIZE Trial: Initiated in February 2024, this trial evaluates the efficacy of a reduced dose of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) in patients with blood cancers who have received peripheral blood stem cells from partially matched unrelated donors. The study aims to decrease the incidence of infections in the first 100 days following a transplant while maintaining effective prevention against graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).

ACCESS Trial: A multicenter Phase II study of hematopoietic cell transplantation using mismatched unrelated donors for peripheral blood stem cell transplant in adults and bone marrow stem cell transplant in children. The trial recently completed enrollment in its adult arms ahead of schedule and is continuing to enroll within its pediatric arm.

15-MMUD Trial: A prospective, Phase II multi-center clinical trial that assessed the safety and efficacy of mismatched unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplantation using the PTCy GvHD prophylaxis backbone. The trial demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of transplantation with a mismatched unrelated donor in the setting of PTCy.

Technological Platform and Innovation

NMDP leverages several proprietary technologies and methodologies to advance cell therapy:

HapLogic℠: A predictive search algorithm developed by NMDP for customized donor selection, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of matching patients with suitable donors.

Research Sample Repository: Established in 2001, this repository is one of the world's largest tissue sample storage facilities used for medical research, providing researchers with access to more than 195,000 samples in inventory.

CIBMTR Cellular Therapy Registry: Implemented to accurately capture the nature, sequence, and effects of modern cellular therapies, including CAR-T cells. The registry provides long-term follow-up tracking for FDA-approved CAR-T therapies.

Leadership Team

NMDP's leadership team comprises experienced professionals dedicated to advancing the organization's mission:

Amy L. Ronneberg: Chief Executive Officer.

Alexander Rosenstein: General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.

Erica Jensen: Senior Vice President of Strategy and Advancement.

Jeffery J. Auletta, MD: Chief Scientific Director, CIBMTR.

Steven Devine, MD: Chief Medical Officer.

In January 2025, NMDP announced the appointment of Alexander Rosenstein as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, overseeing the government affairs, compliance, and quality & regulatory affairs teams. Additionally, Erica Jensen assumed responsibility for the NMDP Foundation, advancing its philanthropic initiatives in alignment with the organization's strategy.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The cell and gene therapy market is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in biotechnology and an increasing demand for personalized medicine. The global market size is projected to reach substantial figures by the end of the decade, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) reflecting robust expansion. Key trends include the development of novel therapies targeting a wide range of diseases, increased investment in research and development, and the establishment of strategic partnerships to accelerate innovation.

Competitor Analysis

NMDP operates in a unique niche within the cell therapy ecosystem, primarily focusing on donor registry and transplant facilitation. While direct competitors are limited, several organizations operate in adjacent spaces:

Gift of Life Marrow Registry: Established in 1991, this registry focuses on increasing ethnic diversity among donors and has facilitated over 5,000 transplants.

DKMS: A global nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders, DKMS operates donor centers worldwide and has registered over 10 million potential donors.

In the broader cell and gene therapy landscape, companies such as Sarepta Therapeutics, Biophytis, and Cytokinetics are notable for their focus on developing therapies for various conditions. However, these organizations primarily concentrate on therapeutic development rather than donor registry and transplant facilitation.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

NMDP has established numerous partnerships to enhance its capabilities and expand access to cell therapies:

Cell and Gene Therapy Clients: Collaborates with more than 50 biopharmaceutical companies to advance the development of life-saving cell and gene therapies.

Solutions Delivery Partners: Partners with service providers specializing in temperature-controlled logistics and sophisticated cell and gene therapy supply chain tracking to provide integrated solutions for companies developing cell and gene therapies.

American Football Coaches Association (AFCA): In January 2025, NMDP partnered with the AFCA to promote student-athlete philanthropy through the "Get in the Game" program, aiming to inspire more individuals to join the NMDP Registry and give patients a second chance at life.

Operational Insights

NMDP's strategic considerations include:

Diverse Donor Registry: Maintaining the world's most diverse registry of blood stem cell and marrow donors, enhancing the likelihood of finding suitable matches for patients of various ethnic backgrounds.

Research and Development: Investing in transformative research through CIBMTR to improve transplant outcomes and develop innovative cell and gene therapies.

Patient Support Services: Providing comprehensive support to patients and their families, including financial assistance, counseling, and navigation services, to remove barriers to treatment.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

NMDP's strategic roadmap includes:

Expanding Access: Continuing efforts to remove barriers to equitable access to life-saving cell therapies, particularly for patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Advancing Research: Pursuing innovative research initiatives to improve transplant outcomes, reduce complications, and develop next-generation cell and gene therapies.

Strengthening Partnerships: Building and enhancing collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies, service providers, and community organizations to accelerate the development and delivery of cell therapies.

Enhancing Donor Recruitment: Implementing targeted recruitment strategies to increase the diversity and commitment of potential donors within the registry.