Company Directory

Gene therapy company targeting complement-mediated ocular diseases

Complement Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing gene therapies and protein-based therapeutics for diseases driven by dysregulation of the complement immune pathway. A spin-out from the University of Manchester, the company's lead programme CTx001 is an AAV-based gene therapy for geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration. The company is also developing the Complement Precision Medicine platform for quantification of complement cascade proteins to support diagnosis and patient stratification.

TSG-6 protein therapeutics for inflammatory and degenerative disease

Link Biologics is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company developing protein therapeutics based on TSG-6, an endogenous human protein with anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective properties. Spun out from the University of Manchester in 2021, the company is advancing its lead asset, Link_TSG6, across programmes in dry eye disease and osteoarthritis. A licensing partnership with Théa Open Innovation supports development of the dry eye programme toward clinical trials.

RNA therapeutics targeting cellular senescence and age-related disease

Senisca is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company developing oligonucleotide and small molecule therapeutics that reverse cellular senescence by restoring RNA splicing factor activity. Its platform targets the molecular mechanisms of cellular ageing and has broad applicability across multiple age-related diseases. Lead indications include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, osteoarthritis, and age-related macular degeneration. The company also pursues a cosmeceutical programme targeting aesthetic signs of skin ageing.

Human iPSC-derived cells and services for drug discovery research

Axol Bioscience is a biotechnology company manufacturing and supplying human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cells and outsourced laboratory services for drug discovery and disease research. Its product range covers neuronal, cardiac, retinal, and dermal cell types derived from iPSCs sourced from patient and healthy donor lines. Services include iPSC reprogramming, gene editing, custom differentiation, cellular assays, and compound screening. Therapeutic focus areas span neuroscience, ophthalmology, cardiovascular disease, and dermatology.

Bicistronic AAV gene therapies for retinal disease

Ikarovec is a near-clinical-stage gene therapy company developing bicistronic AAV-based therapeutics for vision-threatening retinal diseases. Its proprietary platform combines two complementary therapeutic mechanisms in a single vector, targeting conditions including geographic atrophy, wet and intermediate age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa. The company's lead programme, IKAR-001, is targeting clinical trial initiation in late 2026. Ikarovec was founded as a spin-out from Quethera and is based at Norwich Research Park.

AI clinical decision support for macular and retinal disease

Macusoft is a London-based health technology company developing AI-powered software to support clinical decision-making in ophthalmology. Its platform assists with diagnosis, triage, and treatment recommendations for macular diseases, diabetic retinopathy, and related retinal conditions, drawing on imaging data and genomics. The company has received Innovate UK funding and has been trialled at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. Macusoft has participated in accelerator programmes at the Francis Crick Institute and Imperial College London.

GPCR-targeting ophthalmic therapeutics for dry eye and corneal pain

OKYO Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for inflammatory eye diseases and chronic ocular pain. Its lead candidate, urcosimod, is a lipid-conjugated chemerin peptide agonist targeting the ChemR23 G-protein-coupled receptor to reduce inflammation and neuropathic pain at the ocular surface. Phase 2 trials have been completed in dry eye disease and neuropathic corneal pain, with both studies generating positive results. A second programme, OK-201, targets an MRGPR receptor for non-opioid analgesic applications.

Nanotechnology drug delivery platform for precision medicines

Nanomerics is a UK speciality pharmaceutical company developing precision medicines using its proprietary technology, a polymer nanotechnology platform that improves the bioavailability and targeting of water-insoluble drugs and peptides. The technology enables delivery via nasal, ocular, oral, and blood-brain barrier routes. The company maintains its own pipeline targeting ophthalmic and CNS indications and out-licenses its platform to pharmaceutical partners for additional programmes.

In vivo cell reprogramming therapies for degenerative disease

Mogrify is a biotechnology company developing a novel class of in vivo reprogramming therapies for degenerative diseases. Its proprietary platforms use large-scale transcriptomic and epigenomic network data to predict the transcription factors required to convert mature human cells directly into target therapeutic cell types without a stem cell intermediate. The company's pipeline addresses ophthalmology, otology, and metabolic disease, and its platform is also licensed to biopharma partners for co-development.

Ophthalmic therapeutics for presbyopia, cataracts, and geographic atrophy

Tenpoint Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics for age-related ocular diseases. Its pipeline comprises three programmes: BRIMOCHOL PF, a combination eye drop for presbyopia targeting NDA approval; TPT-161, a small molecule designed to reverse lens protein aggregation and cataract formation; and TPT-005, an investigational subretinal cell therapy for retinal pigment epithelium replacement in geographic atrophy. Tenpoint was formed through the merger of the original Tenpoint and Visus Therapeutics in December 2024.

Gene therapy company targeting inherited and degenerative diseases

MeiraGTx is a vertically integrated, clinical-stage genetic medicines company developing AAV-based gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and salivary gland disorders. The company operates end-to-end capabilities spanning viral vector design, GMP manufacturing, and clinical development, with a cGMP facility in London supporting IND-to-commercial supply. A proprietary riboswitch gene regulation platform enables dose-responsive control of transgene expression via oral small molecules.

Amniotic membrane biotherapies for ocular surface repair and regeneration

NuVision Biotherapies is a regenerative medicine company developing tissue-based biotherapies for ocular surface disease and trauma. Its proprietary processing technology manufactures dry-preserved human amniotic membrane grafts that retain the membrane's natural barrier and healing properties whilst enabling ambient storage. Products are sold into NHS ophthalmology and optometry settings, with additional applications in veterinary medicine.