Company Directory

Microbially produced leather alternative for luxury fashion

Replica Biomaterials is an industrial biotechnology company developing sustainable leather alternatives using engineered microbes. Its fermentation-based platform grows microbial biomaterials that are animal-free and petrochemical-free, with built-in customisable colour, eliminating the tanning and dyeing processes associated with conventional leather production. Products are designed for the luxury fashion industry. The company is supported by Innovate UK and the Science Creates accelerator.

AI-designed protein fibres as sustainable alternatives to synthetic textiles

Solena Materials is an industrial biotechnology company developing a new class of protein-based fibres for the fashion and performance apparel sectors. Using proprietary deep learning models and computational protein design, the company engineers novel proteins from first principles, which are then produced using engineered microorganisms. The resulting fibres are biodegradable and free of petrochemical inputs, targeting both luxury and high-performance textile applications.

Plant protein materials replacing plastics and microplastics

Xampla is a Cambridge-based materials innovation company developing plant protein-based alternatives to single-use plastics and synthetic microplastics. Its range of products includes biodegradable coatings, soluble films, edible films, and microcapsules derived from sustainable vegetable proteins such as pea, rapeseed and sunflower. Applications span food and beverage packaging, homecare, personal care, and active ingredient encapsulation. Xampla's technology, rooted in protein self-assembly research, is the basis of partnerships with major FMCG and packaging brands globally.

Colorimetric assay kits for extracellular matrix analysis and quantification

Biocolor is a Northern Ireland manufacturer of dye-based, colorimetric assay kits for the quantitative analysis of extracellular matrix biomolecules. Its product range covers collagen, elastin, sulfated glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid, and apoptosis, using a simple dye-binding method compatible with standard laboratory spectrophotometers. Kits are widely cited in scientific literature and used in research across connective tissue biology, drug discovery, and bioengineering.

Bio-inspired adhesion peptides for medical and industrial use

Zentraxa is a biomaterials company engineering bio-inspired adhesion peptides using a proprietary synthetic peptide manufacturing platform. Inspired by marine mollusc chemistry, the platform designs and produces novel peptides with exceptional adhesion properties in wet and submerged environments. Medical applications include advanced wound dressings and ostomy bag seals. The company also develops performance-enhancing peptide ingredients for industrial and personal care sectors.

Synthetic polymer affinity ligands for viral vector bioprocessing

Tozaro is a biotechnology company developing synthetic polymer-based affinity ligands to improve the downstream processing of viral vectors used in cell and gene therapy. Using molecular modelling and machine learning, Tozaro rationally designs polymer-based binders from a chemical space of over 500 monomers, offering greater stability and cost-effectiveness than conventional protein- or peptide-based reagents. Its lead programmes target lentiviral vectors for CAR-T therapies and AAV vectors for broader gene therapy applications.

Medical-grade collagen biomaterials for regenerative medicine devices

Evergen develops, manufactures, and supplies medical-grade collagen biomaterials and engineered tissue scaffolds for use in medical devices and regenerative medicine. Operating from Glasgow under GMP conditions, the company partners with OEM medical device manufacturers to develop and supply collagen formulations including solutions, gels, films, membranes, and sponges. Applications include orthopaedics, cardiovascular repair, wound care, plastic surgery, and spinal surgery. The company provides contract manufacturing, technology transfer, and regulatory support services.

Microcarrier platform enabling adherent cell screening for drug discovery

Semarion is an advanced materials engineering company developing microcarriers for adherent cell assays in drug discovery workflows. Fabricated using microchip-style microfabrication techniques, Semarion develops magnetically steerable cell carriers that enable small colonies of adherent cells to be moved, pooled, and optically barcoded within standard microplate formats. The platform supports multiplexing, cryopreservation, and high-content imaging workflows for cell panel screening applications.

Controlled-release orthobiologics for spinal fusion and bone repair

Locate Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a portfolio of orthobiologic products for musculoskeletal surgery. Its proprietary Programmed Drug Release platform encapsulates recombinant proteins within biodegradable polymer scaffolds to enable controlled, extended-release delivery. Lead product LDGraft is an rhBMP-2 bone graft substitute in clinical trial for lumbar interbody fusion, having received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. The pipeline also includes synthetic bone graft substitutes and antibiotic-eluting scaffolds for osteomyelitis.

Injectable biomaterial gel to treat degenerative disc disease

Orthoson is a medtech company developing micro-invasive injectable treatments for chronic back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. Its lead product, a patented pNIPAM-DMAc co-polymer hydrogel, is designed to be injected into the intervertebral disc, where it gels in-situ to restore the mechanical and biological function of the nucleus pulposus. The technology has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and is being developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the University of Sheffield.

3D cell culture scaffolds and bioprinting systems for research

Copner Biotech is a Welsh biotechnology company developing and manufacturing 3D cell culture scaffolds and bioprinting instrumentation for life sciences research. Its PETG scaffold range provides physiologically relevant three-dimensional culture environments for mammalian cells, including cancer, stem, and organoid applications. The company's bioprinter series uses proprietary microfluidic droplet deposition and a bespoke 3D modelling format to enable precise biofabrication of complex tissue constructs.

Contract development and manufacture of nanofibrous biomaterials for medical devices

The Electrospinning Company designs, develops, and manufactures nanofibrous biomaterials for implantable medical devices and regenerative medicine applications. Using electrospinning technology, the company produces four proprietary membrane platforms: resorbable Mimetix, permanent Kalyptix, biosynthetic Symatix, and the Caladrix device-coating system. Services span early feasibility through to validated commercial-scale manufacturing under ISO 13485 accreditation, supporting clients across cardiovascular, orthopaedic, wound care, and ophthalmology applications. The company operates from a purpose-built cleanroom facility on Harwell Campus.