Company Directory

Enzymatic synthetic DNA manufacture for gene therapy and molecular biology

NunaBio is a specialist DNA synthesis company developing a cell-free enzymatic platform for scalable production of synthetic DNA, including long oligonucleotides, whole genes and DNA fragments. Its technology avoids the plasmid and primer-dependent steps that constrain conventional phosphoramidite chemistry, enabling higher accuracy and length at reduced cost. Applications span gene therapy, T cell engineering, viral vector synthesis, mRNA therapeutics, diagnostics and DNA data storage.

Benchtop platform for rapid cell-free protein expression and screening

Nuclera is a Cambridge-based biotechnology company developing benchtop systems for rapid protein expression and screening. Its discovery platform integrates cell-free protein synthesis, digital microfluidics, and automated construct screening to deliver soluble, active proteins in under 48 hours. The system is designed to accelerate protein-dependent workflows in drug discovery, biologics development, and research, reducing the time and cost traditionally associated with protein expression and purification.

AI-guided plant biosynthesis platform for novel therapeutic compounds

HotHouse Therapeutics is a drug discovery platform company that engineers plants as sustainable biofactories for pharmaceutical compound production. Using AI to design and optimise biosynthetic pathways, it produces both natural and new-to-nature molecules via transient and stable plant expression systems capable of GMP output. Initial commercial focus is next-generation saponin-based vaccine adjuvants, including sustainable alternatives to QS-21. The company's science originates from natural product research at the John Innes Centre.

Cell-free enzymatic synthesis platform for biotherapeutic discovery

Newcleic is a biotech developing cell-free, enzymatic synthesis methods and systems to accelerate biotherapeutic discovery and manufacture. The platform uses cell-extracted or purified enzymatic machinery to produce proteins and nucleic acids from genetic templates without the need for live cell engineering, enabling faster design-build-test cycles. Applications include antibody-drug conjugates, RNA therapeutics, and other biologics where rapid, cell-free production offers manufacturing and discovery advantages.

Carbon capture and biomanufacturing using engineered cyanobacteria

CyanoCapture is a company developing a biomanufacturing platform that uses genetically engineered cyanobacteria to sequester carbon dioxide and convert it into high-value products including recombinant proteins and graphite. Its photobioreactor-based system is designed to offer affordable carbon capture for industrial emitters such as power stations and cement factories, targeting a cost below €50 per tonne. The company is an XPRIZE carbon removal finalist and has received UKRI funding through IBioIC collaborative programmes.