Cambridge biotechnology company bit.bio has secured $25m in Series D funding to expand its portfolio of programmable human cells used in pharmaceutical research, drug discovery, and laboratory testing.
The investment follows increased commercial demand for the company’s human-cell models, with paid vial volumes rising 76% year to date during 2026.
Orders increased 34% over the same period, while the number of active customers grew 40%. Academic customer numbers rose 63%, according to the company.
bit.bio develops technology that produces defined human cell types for scientific research, allowing laboratories to use biological models with more consistent characteristics across experiments.
The latest financing includes backing from existing investor M&G Investments and Dr Jonathan Milner, founder and former chief executive of Cambridge life sciences business Abcam.
It follows a $50m Series C round completed in January, as bit.bio continues expanding its commercial operations and product range.
The company’s proprietary opti-ox platform uses controlled cell programming to produce specialised human cells from induced pluripotent stem cells.
These stem cells can develop into different types of human tissue cells. By controlling their development, researchers can obtain defined cell populations for studying biological processes and responses to potential medicines.
Consistency is important because differences between biological samples can complicate experimental results and make findings difficult to reproduce.
Researchers also use human-cell models to investigate biological mechanisms that may not be adequately represented by animal systems.
Such models do not remove every requirement for additional safety and efficacy testing. They provide another experimental system that can help researchers assess particular biological questions using human-derived material.
bit.bio’s portfolio now includes more than 50 human cell types, covering models associated with the heart, liver, and central nervous system.
Applications include disease research, functional genomics, toxicology, and the assessment of candidate medicines during drug development.
The company supplies pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology businesses, universities, and other research organisations.
Its technology and manufacturing infrastructure are already established, with the latest funding intended to increase the number of commercially available cell types and improve access for customers.
Chief executive Dr Emma Pepperell said: “The industry is reaching an inflection point in drug discovery. AI is changing the speed at which new medicines can be discovered, while the move towards animal testing alternatives is creating growing demand for models that better reflect human biology.”
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to analyse biological information and identify potential drug candidates. Computational methods can help researchers prioritise compounds, but predicted biological effects must still be investigated through laboratory experiments.
Reliable human-cell models provide one means of conducting those experiments, allowing scientists to examine how cells respond to potential treatments and identify biological effects requiring further investigation.
The ability to manufacture defined cells consistently is also relevant to research organisations conducting repeated experiments across different laboratories or programmes.
Inconsistent biological materials can introduce variation into results, making it harder to compare studies or establish whether observed effects are reproducible.
Dr Jonathan Milner, who is supporting the financing, has experience developing commercial scientific research tools through Abcam, the business he founded in Cambridge.
M&G Investments is also continuing its involvement following the earlier Series C financing, providing further support as bit.bio develops its commercial product portfolio.
The company has not disclosed a valuation associated with the Series D round or the ownership stakes acquired by participating investors.
The new capital will be directed towards product expansion and wider customer availability, building on the company’s existing manufacturing capabilities and reported growth in orders, customers, and paid vial volumes.
You must be logged in to post a comment.