Imperagen Ltd, a techbio company based in Manchester, has raised £5 million in a seed funding round. This funding was led by PXN Ventures, with additional support from IQ Capital and Northern Gritstone. The investment increases Imperagen’s total funding to £8.5 million, providing an 18-month runway to expand its lab infrastructure, enhance its data science team, and boost market commercialization in the biopharma, personal care, and fine chemical sectors.
Imperagen’s platform, developed from the University of Manchester’s Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, tackles the challenges of traditional enzyme engineering. It integrates quantum mechanics, machine learning, and robotics into a closed-loop system to create specialized Large Catalytic Models. This system includes quantum-level simulations to screen molecular mutations, problem-specific AI networks, and automated kinetic verification in a robotic lab environment.
The platform has proven effective under production conditions, optimizing enzymes for a Fortune 500 personal care company, achieving significant productivity gains. To lead its commercial expansion, Imperagen has appointed Guy Levy-Yurista as CEO. The company’s strategy aligns with the UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, aiming to replace traditional chemical synthesis with sustainable biocatalysis tools.
