About Us
Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. (CIL) is the world’s leading producer of stable isotopes and stable isotope-labeled compounds. CIL is part of the Otsuka Group, a global healthcare enterprise, and operates facilities in different parts of the world. CIL specializes in the process of separating stable (nonradioactive) isotopes from natural abundance and then labeling biochemical and organic compounds with these highly enriched, stable isotopes of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Our chemists substitute common atoms (e.g., 1H, 12C, 14N, 16O) with rare, highly valued isotopes (e.g., 2H or D, 13C, 15N, 18O) so that the final product can be readily measured using a variety of techniques, including mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). CIL’s products are utilized for research applications in laboratories, medical, government, academic centers, and health care facilities worldwide. They are also used in commercial applications, such as pharmaceuticals and electronics, to enhance product quality and longevity.
CIL products have contributed to medical advancements in cancer research, drug development, environmental analysis, and medical diagnostics. As the fields of proteomics and metabolomics continue to develop as leading techniques to identify biomarkers for disease presence, progression, and monitoring of therapeutic response, CIL supports and partners with industry leaders and researchers to provide stable isotope-labeled tools needed for improved quantitation and qualification of complex biological systems.
Over the past few decades, stable isotopes, specifically deuterium, have found their place in expanding commercial-scale applications, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, flat panel displays, as well as other high-technology fields. Pharmaceutical companies are investigating the deuteration of molecules that provide advantages over their existing nondeuterated counterparts. In addition, increasing research into the potential medical advantages of new deuterated drugs is also occurring.
In high technology, deuterated organic molecules and deuterium gas are commonly used in the manufacturing of microelectronics and OLEDs, which contribute to the increased lifetime of the devices.
CIL was founded in 1981 by Dr. Joel Bradley, an organic chemist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Drawing on a commitment to high-quality products, superior customer service, innovative new products, and breadth of product lines, CIL quickly emerged as a leader in its field. CIL now offers more than 11,000 products, holds ISO 13485, ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO 17034 accreditations, and has cGMP production capabilities. CIL was acquired by the Otsuka Group in 1998. Over the past several decades CIL has increased its global footprint with facilities located in five countries: Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. (CIL) and CIL Isotope Separations, LLC (CIS) in the US; CIL Canada in Montreal, Canada; Euriso-Top in Saclay, France; Cambridge Isotope Laboratories – China in Shanghai, China; and ABX GmbH in Dresden, Germany.
CIL’s state-of-the-art production facilities are located at the global headquarters in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and the primary production laboratories are located in Andover, Massachusetts. CIL’s isotope-separation facility, located in Xenia, Ohio, houses the world’s largest 13C and one of the world’s largest 18O isotope-separation facilities. This facility also houses the world’s largest commercial D2O re-enrichment columns.
CIL is committed to quality and service. We support our customers to aid in pivotal research that is being conducted in laboratories worldwide. Our partnerships not only help to support our global reach but allow us to develop innovative products toward our pursuit of enriching scientific discovery.