Edinburgh-based Lentitek has secured £250,000 in seed investment.
This investment will be deployed to further advance its technology and commence initial commercial trials.
Founded in 2019 by Dr Adam Inche, the start-up is focused on solving key issues within the manufacturing process of lentiviral vectors, one of the key components of treatments such as CAR-T cell therapy and gene therapies which can provide treatments for previously intractable cancers and other genetic conditions.
Chief executive Inche commented: “There is a significant cost of goods issue for these incredible emerging therapies which rely on lentivirus.
“Yields and quality of the virus are often low, which is ultimately reflected in the price-tag of the final therapy that can run to well over $1m per treatment, putting it out of the economic reach of most.”
He continued: “Lentitek has developed a unique manufacturing technology which has demonstrated significant enhancements in key quality metrics affecting yield and potency, which must be improved to reduce costs and ultimately widen accessibility.”
The investment was led by Gabriel Investments, a Glasgow-based investment syndicate that focuses on early-stage Scottish companies.
Co-investors included Edinburgh-based Apollo Informal Investment, Scottish Enterprise and the University of Edinburgh.
Kerry Sharp, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “We’ve been aware of Lentitek’s pioneering work in the field of gene therapy and advanced cancer treatment for some time, having worked with the company since its inception.
“It’s great to now be investing in this high-growth-potential company as it takes the next big step towards commercialising its technologies, which have life-saving potential for cancer patients all over the world with the aim of making treatment more accessible, effective and affordable.”
Lentitek will use the investment to further refine and demonstrate its technology in the initial target application of the cutting edge cancer treatment CAR-T cell therapy.
CAR-T therapy uses a lentivirus to effectively reprogram the patient’s own immune T-cells to recognise and kill cancer.
Lentitek received significant recognition for its technology in 2022 by winning the top prize of £100,000 for Industrial Biotechnology Innovation at the Scottish Edge awards.
Leif Anderson, co-founder of Lentitek, concluded: “The clinical potential of cell and gene base therapies has been well demonstrated.
“Indeed, many of those enrolled in clinical trials over the last decade would simply not be alive today without these remarkable treatments.
“Sadly, manufacturing and delivery challenges remain a significant barrier to adoption,“ he continued, adding: “With this investment, Lentitek will take an important step in addressing a number of critical issues to ensure these treatments are available to all who need them.”
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