Nuclera’s $75m Series C raise sets up further success for eProtein Discovery platform
Nuclera has completed a $75million Series C funding round to enable the continued commercialisation of its eProtein Discovery benchtop system in the US and across Europe.
The company was founded in 2013 by three PhD students at the University of Cambridge who identified protein inaccessibility as a key bottleneck in biology. The first proof-of-concept eProtein Discovery system was made available to Hywel Morgan, professor of bioelectronics at the University of Southampton, in October 2020.
The first prototype demonstration took place at the University of Southampton in 2022 and was followed by the first deployment of the commercially launched version of the system in Professor Morgan’s lab last year.
Today, the eProtein Discovery system has been installed at contract research organisations, biotech and biopharma companies, as well as at leading academic institutes, including University College London, University of Cambridge, University of Southampton, University of Manchester, The Flanders Institute for Biotechnology in Belgium, and the CRUK Cambridge Institute.
Based at One Vision Park in Impington, Nuclera has shown the world that its eProtein Discovery benchtop speeds up protein expression and purification in research labs, including those using AI for protein design.
The system reduces the time and cost of these processes by automating construct screening, allowing for protein scale-up, and producing milligram amounts of protein in less than 48 hours, compared to the months or years other methods can take. Using digital microfluidics, protein quality assays, and cell-free protein synthesis on eProtein Discovery cartridges, eProtein Discovery provides rapid access to high-quality proteins at scale, whether using cell-free or cell-based methods.
The incredible success of its core product was reflected in the diversity of participants in the Series C haul. The round was led by Elevage Medical Technologies, backed by Patient Square Capital, and joined by British Patient Capital, the largest domestic investor in UK venture and venture growth opportunities, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Jonathan Milner, GK Goh, M&G Catalyst, E Ink Holdings, Michael D McCreary, Uni Power Group, and Verve Ventures.
Dr Jonathan Milner, CEO of Meltwind Advisory and (non-executive) chairman of the Nuclera board of directors, said: “The ability to screen multiple protein expression profiles and print purified proteins in as little as 24 hours will revolutionise laboratory workflows and make a demonstrable impact in research and drug discovery timelines.
“Aligning with Nuclera more closely following my appointment as chairman of the board, I am excited as the company’s pioneering solution continues to be recognised by the industry and demonstrated through this funding round.”
Dr Michael Chen, CEO and co-founder, Nuclera, said: “This significant investment demonstrates continued confidence in our team, our eProtein Discovery system, and our potential to revolutionise the way proteins are made.
“This funding will accelerate our mission to provide ready-to-use benchtop protein screening and making tools to empower protein scientists around the world. We are excited to enhance our support for our customers, enabling them to make proteins for drug discovery more efficiently and effectively for many years to come.”
