ImmuONE secures £2m from Mercia Ventures and Pioneer Group to scale lung model testing
The funding will support new laboratories in Stevenage and headquarters in Milton Keynes alongside team expansion.
ImmuONE is a British biotech startup that develops advanced human lung models for preclinical safety testing. The company provides animal-free alternatives for evaluating drugs, chemicals, and consumer products.
ImmuONE has secured £2m in new funding from a consortium of investors including Mercia Ventures, the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, Mercia EIS funds, and Pioneer Group. The capital will support the biotechnology firm as it establishes new headquarters in Milton Keynes and laboratories in Stevenage to meet rising commercial demand.
Founded in 2019 by Dr Abigail Martin and Professor Victoria Hutter, the University of Hertfordshire spinout has developed a 3D laboratory-grown human lower lung model designed to assess the safety of pharmaceutical and consumer products without animal testing. The company currently counts roughly twenty global clients, including major chemical and consumer goods enterprises.
Proceeds from the round will be directed towards expanding operational capacity, scaling the team with six new hires, and advancing ongoing research and development initiatives. The investment arrives as demand increases for alternatives to animal experimentation within the life sciences sector.
From the founder
"Having worked on drug development projects that involve animal testing, I've seen the difference that new drugs can make to patients' lives. However, I felt there had to be a better way and set out to look for an alternative. Our model not only enables companies to move away from animal testing but also improves safety for patients too. We look forward to working with many more clients and scaling the business with a view to global expansion in the future."
Abigail Martin
Co-founder at ImmuONE
Investor perspective
"Around 90% of drugs shown to be safe and effective in animals do not work as planned in humans, which is one reason for the high failure rate in drug discovery. With growing demand for more effective testing models and pressure from consumers to replace animal testing, ImmuONE fills a clear gap in the market. Abigail and Victoria have not only created a powerful innovation but also achieved remarkable success in building a fast-growing business."
Hannah Tapsell
Mercia
Use of funds
- 01Grow the team
- 02Fund research and development
- 03Scale operations
Investors
MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund
Hannah Tapsell
Mercia
Imelda Juniarsih
Pioneer Group
Midlands Engine Investment Fund