The funds will be used to further commercialise uFraction8’s technology, originally developed at the University of Edinburgh’s school of engineering. The company’s bio-separation instruments are designed to more efficiently separate cell-based products from the liquids in which they are grown, such as foods derived from microscopic algae, drugs from the cells of mammals, and yeast-based products such as beer or medicines.
Read more:
This offers an energy-efficient alternative to traditional methods used in the production of food, feed, and other products which in turn should improve the scalability and affordability of bioprocessing, two critical challenges in the global biotech sector.
“We’re thrilled to have secured this significant investment, which will drive forward this next stage of our growth,” said Monika Tomecka, co-founder and chief executive of uFraction8.
“The support from our investors is a testament to the impact and potential of our innovative technology. These funds will ensure we can bring our solutions to market more rapidly, particularly within the microalgae and biopharma sectors, and enable Fraction8 to continue its innovation within the alternative protein sector.”
Co-founded in 2017 by Dr Tomecka and Dr Brian Miller, uFraction8 currently employs seven people within its business in Scotland and Poznan, Poland. The company secured £2.5m in an earlier investment round in 2022 led by Thia Ventures.
Read more:
Rubina Singh, senior investment manager at Foresight Group said uFraction8’s advancements in continuous bioprocessing present transformative opportunities across multiple industries such as bio-separation within pharmaceutical market, which is forecast to grow to $30 billion per annum by 2030.
Kerry Sharp, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said the development agency has supported uFraction8 over several years in the commercialisation of its technology.
“The biotech industry is a key opportunity area for growth for Scotland,” she added. “Companies such as uFraction8 can play a vital role in transforming our economy by scaling-up, creating high value jobs and competing internationally.”
