The Kent biotechnology spinout raised the capital from backers including XGEN Venture and the British Business Bank to push its lead treatment into clinical evaluation.
"Refractory epilepsy is a devastating condition causing unpredictable and life-threatening seizures, and affecting millions of patients worldwide. Our novel gene therapy EPY201 delivered directly to the seizure focus has the potential to stop seizures with a single, minimally invasive administration. In doing so, it will change the way refractory epilepsy has been treated for decades. We are proud to have the support of such high calibre investors as we progress into clinical trials."
The Norwich-based drug discovery startup emerged from stealth with backing from SynBioVen, Start Codon, UKI2S, Twin Path Ventures, Wren Capital, angels, and Innovate UK.
"We grow greener medicines using a platform that makes the impossible accessible. The drug discovery field desperately needs new chemical space and the vaccine field needs new adjuvants, with supply chains that work for everyone. By combining AI with plant engineering, we can reach molecules others cannot, and scale them in a way that supports global health, not just high-income markets."
The funding round was led by DSW Ventures with participation from XTX Ventures, Cambridge Technology Capital, angel investors, and Innovate UK.
"Our machine could pick up cancer, HIV or sepsis earlier – any disease with a nucleic acid trace. We’re made of DNA – that’s the source code. If you can pick up traces of faults and errors in that code, you can detect problems across the board before symptoms appear. We’ve built the ultimate needle-in-a-haystack detector – a tool that we can put in the hands of scientists to enable the discoveries of tomorrow."
