Advancing Medicine Through the Power of Donation
The International Institute for the Advancement of Medicine (IIAM) is driving the future of medical discovery.
As a leading provider of non-transplantable human organs and tissues for research, IIAM connects the generosity of donors and their families with scientists who are working to combat and cure some of the world’s most challenging diseases. With an unmatched national network and the ability to provide more than 100 distinct types of human organs and tissues, IIAM fuels breakthroughs in therapeutic development, disease modeling, and pre-clinical innovation.
When most people think of organ donation, they think of lifesaving transplants—and rightly so. The gift of life is profound. But what many don’t realize is that some donated organs cannot be transplanted. Instead of being unused, these gifts can take on another life: empowering medical researchers to understand disease, develop new treatments, and ultimately save countless lives in the future.
Real human organs and tissues—functioning, authentic, and irreplaceable—give scientists insights that no model or simulation can match. By enabling research outside of living patients, these donations also help avoid unknown risks while accelerating medical progress. In the lab, a donated organ becomes a catalyst for hope.
How Donation for Research Works
In some states, individuals can choose to donate their organs for research if transplant is not possible. In other cases, families generously provide this consent on behalf of their loved one. Once consent is in place, Organ Procurement Organizations notify IIAM of donor organs suitable for research. IIAM then matches each donor’s unique characteristics with a researcher who needs exactly that type of tissue—much like matching an organ to a transplant recipient.
These organs are cared for with the same precision and respect as organs intended for transplant, ensuring they reach research teams quickly and in optimal condition.
A Trusted Partner in Advancing Science
With more than 35 years of nonprofit service, IIAM is a trusted bridge between organ procurement organizations and research institutions worldwide. Our mission is to honor every donor’s legacy by anticipating the next frontier of scientific discovery and educating the next generation of researchers.
IIAM is a wholly owned division of MTF Biologics, a global nonprofit based in Edison, NJ. Together, we work to save and heal lives by honoring donated gifts, supporting patients, and advancing science.