UK-based protein manufacturer receives funding to boost R&D

A UK-based manufacturer of proteins for stem, cell, organoid and regenerative medicines has received over half a million pounds from a funding round of angel investors.

The University of Cambridge spin-out Qkine uses proprietary technologies and protein engineering techniques to produce high purity growth factors and cytokines. Using its technologies, Qkine is working on tackling scientific challenges such as structural heterogeneity, poor stability and solubility and spurious interactions with other biomolecules, and provide more reliable tools for research and bio-manufacturing.

The funding round of £550,000 was led by Cambridge Enterprise and five angel investors.

The investment will enable Qkine to establish its UK manufacturing base at Cambridge Science Park and help develop its active research and development pipeline.

Joining the original investors is biotech entrepreneur and founder member of the Cambridge Angels, Dr Andy Richards, who said: “Catherine (Elton) and team have done a great job at Qkine, I am excited to join their investors in this round as they move to their new facility, scale up their team, extend their R&D pipeline and expand their commercial ambitions. The need for quality and reproducibility in stem cell biology and exciting new areas such as organoids is driving a growing market that Qkine is uniquely positioned to satisfy."

Commenting on his investment, Jim Warwick, angel investor and chairman, Qkine said: “Following my initial investment in Qkine was a no-brainer - its growth factors are developed from a genuinely differentiating technology, the market for these reagents is growing rapidly and the company’s founders have great, complementary skill sets.”