Next Biosciences
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Biotechnology, Reproductive Health, Regenerative Medicine |
| Founded 📆 | 2005 |
| Founders 👔 | Kim Hulett Dr Yvonne Holt |
| Headquarters 🏙️ | Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa |
Area served 🗺️ | |
| Products 📟 | Genetic testing, stem cell banking, biologics, prenatal testing |
| Members | |
Number of employees | 90 |
| 🌐 Website | nextbio |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Next Biosciences is a South African biotechnology company headquartered in Midrand, Gauteng. The company combines medicine, science and technology to provide innovative health technologies, enabling people to invest in and take ownership of their health.[1] Founded in 2005, it has expanded its range of products and services to cover biologics, stem cells, exosomes, genetic testing, longevity and reproductive health.[2]
Overview
Next Biosciences was co-founded by Kim Hulett, an entrepreneur with a background in finance and technology, and Dr Yvonne Holt.[2] The company employs a team of approximately 90 people, with women comprising 80% of the workforce, of whom 20% are scientists.[2]
The company's laboratory holds accreditation from the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) and meets ISO 13485 standards, reflecting its commitment to excellence in stem cell banking, cord blood services and biotechnological development.[2]
From its beginnings with Netcare, Next Biosciences' focus on research and development enabled it to expand beyond South Africa's borders.[2] The company currently offers its services in 12 countries across Africa and beyond.[3]
History
Next Biosciences was established in 2005. Over two decades, the company made significant advancements in regenerative medicine, genetic testing and wellness, positioning itself as a leader in Africa's growing biotechnology sector.[2]
Next Biosciences introduced Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in South Africa, a technology that had not previously been available in the country and has since become a cornerstone of prenatal care.[4]
In 2021, the company launched its Netcells Community Stem Cell Bank, which allows families to store their child's stem cells while also contributing to the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) national donor pool.[4]
In March 2025, Next Biosciences celebrated its 20th anniversary, reflecting on two decades of advancements in science and healthcare across Africa.[2]
Products and services
Next Biosciences organises its offerings across several divisions serving both patients and specialist healthcare providers.
Reproductive health
The company offers a suite of advanced reproductive health services supporting individuals at every stage of their reproductive journey, from pre-conception through to birth.[4]
- Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) – Used during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities and genetic variations. This covers PGT-A (aneuploidies), PGT-M (monogenic disorders) and PGT-SR (structural rearrangements).[1]
- MiniMi – An in-house developed test that determines fetal sex from as early as ten weeks of pregnancy.[4]
- TriScreen (NIPT) – A non-invasive prenatal genetic test for detecting chromosomal abnormalities from ten weeks of pregnancy.[4]
- POCScreen – A genetic test for examining miscarriage tissue to identify chromosomal abnormalities that may have caused pregnancy loss, used to provide reproductive counselling to couples.[4]
- Carrier Screening – A pre-conception genetic test to assess the risk of passing on genetic conditions to a child.[4]
- Endometrial Health Testing – Evaluates the uterine lining's readiness to support embryo implantation.[4]
- Genetic Counselling – Available to both patients and specialist healthcare providers.[1]
Stem cell banking (Netcells)
Next Biosciences offers umbilical cord blood stem cell banking under its Netcells brand, providing parents the opportunity to store their baby's cord blood and cord tissue stem cells for potential future medical use.[1]
The Netcells Families of Hope programme enables disadvantaged families, where a child requires a bone marrow transplant and whose mother is expecting a biological sibling, to collect and store stem cells at no cost. These cells can be used to treat life-threatening conditions including leukaemia, aplastic and Fanconi anaemia, sickle-cell disease and thalassaemia.[4]
Biologics
Next Biosciences develops and distributes biological products derived from placental tissues for use in a range of medical applications.[2] These include:
- OptiSerum – An umbilical cord blood serum product used as eye drops for ophthalmic applications.[2]
- AmnioMatrix – An amniotic membrane product used in ophthalmology, wound care and dentistry.[2]
- AmnioDental – An amniotic membrane product for use in dental procedures.[1]
- AmnioRederm – An amniotic membrane product for wound care.[1]
The biological products manufactured by Next Biosciences are licensed by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).[3]
Genetics and health
The company offers broader genetic and personalised health testing services, including:
- PharmaGene – Pharmacogenomics testing to guide medication decisions based on an individual's genetic profile.[1]
- Viome – Gut microbiome testing for health and wellness optimisation.[1]
- 3X4 Genetics Testing – Nutrigenomics testing to personalise dietary and lifestyle recommendations.[1]
Accreditations and regulatory status
Next Biosciences' laboratory is ISO 13485 accredited, certifying that its quality management system for the processing, storage, testing and distribution of human biological material meets international standards for medical devices.[3]
The company holds Authorised Institution status granted by the Department of Health, South Africa, authorising it to acquire, preserve, process, store and distribute stem cells under national regulations.[3]
Next Biosciences is licensed to manufacture medical devices by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).[3]
The company's stem cell laboratory is accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB), an international accreditation body covering cord blood banking and cellular therapies.[3]
Leadership
Key leadership figures at Next Biosciences include:[3]
- Kim Hulett (Founder) – Bachelor of Computer Science (Rhodes University), Higher Diploma in Accounting, CA (SA), Certificate in International Tax.
- Dr Yvonne Holt (Chief Medical Officer) – MBBCh (Wits), Diploma in Child Healthcare, Diploma in Transfusion Medicine.
- Carina Neophytou (Chief Financial Officer) – Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting Honours (University of Johannesburg), CA (SA).
- Andre Crawford-Brunt (Director) – Bachelor of Commerce (Rhodes University).
- Siggi Meyer (Technology Advisor) – Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Sciences).
Scientific advisors include Prof Carola Niesler (BSc Honours in Biochemistry, PhD in Clinical Biochemistry), Dr Musa Mhlanga (PhD, Cambridge), Prof Marco Weinberg (PhD in Molecular Biology, Wits), Dr Chris Maske (DPhil, Oxford) and Dr Carl Montague (PhD Genetics, MBA).[3]
Corporate social responsibility
Next Biosciences is involved in several community and social initiatives:
- Investment in Our Youth – A programme supporting young people with an interest in biotechnology, aimed at cultivating future scientists and leaders.[3]
- Netcells Families of Hope – Enables disadvantaged families to access stem cell banking at no cost when a child has a stem cell-treatable disease.[3]
- CHOC – Surplus funds from the Families of Hope programme are donated to the Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (CHOC), which provides support to families of children with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders.[3]
External links
- Official website
- Next Biosciences tackles infertility challenges by expanding reproductive health offering – Healthcare Biz
- Next Biosciences expands reproductive health offering – Gauteng Women in Insurance
- Next Biosciences expands reproductive health offering to tackle growing infertility challenges in SA – Lifestyle & Tech, February 2025
- Next Biosciences marks 20 years of biotech innovation – Lifestyle & Tech, April 2025
- Next Biosciences marks 20 years of biotech innovation – SA Profile Magazine
Category:Companies based in Gauteng Category:Companies established in 2005 Category:Regenerative medicine
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Next Biosciences". Retrieved 2025. Check date values in:
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|access-date=(help) - ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 "About Next Biosciences". Next Biosciences. Retrieved 2025. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 "Next Biosciences expands reproductive health offering to tackle growing infertility challenges in SA". Lifestyle & Tech. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 2025. Check date values in:
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