Nuclera, a pioneering biotechnology firm focused on enhancing protein expression and purification, has successfully closed a $75 million financing round. This significant investment is set to accelerate the commercialization of Nuclera’s innovative eProtein Discovery platform, which aims to optimize workflows in research laboratories globally. The funding round, which represents approximately £57 million, was spearheaded by Elevage Medical Technologies and supported by various prominent investors.

Funding Details and Impact

The Series C funding attracted notable contributions from a diverse group of investors, including Patient Square Capital, British Patient Capital, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Jonathan Milner, GK Goh, M&G Catalyst, E Ink Holdings, Michael D. McCreary, Uni Power Group, and Verve Ventures. Legal guidance for the transaction was provided by Taylor Wessing.

Dr. Michael Chen, CEO and co-founder of Nuclera, expressed enthusiasm about the funding, highlighting the confidence it reflects in the company’s vision and capabilities. He stated, “This significant investment demonstrates continued confidence in our team, our eProtein Discovery system, and our potential to revolutionize the way proteins are made.” With this capital infusion, Nuclera aims to enhance its support for researchers and enable more efficient protein production for drug discovery initiatives.

About the eProtein Discovery System

Nuclera’s eProtein Discovery system is engineered to streamline protein expression and purification processes, particularly for labs employing AI in protein design. The technology significantly reduces both the time and costs associated with these essential processes. By automating construct screening, the system can produce milligram quantities of proteins in under 48 hours, a stark contrast to the months or even years required by traditional methods.

This innovative platform employs digital microfluidics, protein quality assays, and cell-free protein synthesis using specially designed eProtein Discovery cartridges. It offers researchers rapid access to high-quality proteins, adaptable to either cell-free or cell-based methodologies.

The eProtein Discovery system has already found applications across various sectors, being installed in contract research organizations (CROs), biotech companies, and esteemed academic institutions. Among its adopters are leading research centers such as University College London, University of Cambridge, University of Southampton, University of Manchester, the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) in Belgium, and the CRUK Cambridge Institute.

Industry Relevance and Future Prospects

The demand for Nuclera's innovative technology is on the rise, driven by the accelerating pace of discoveries in life sciences and drug development, particularly in response to advances in AI and structural biology. Dr. Michael Wasserman, COO of Elevage Medical Technologies, noted that Nuclera addresses a critical barrier in drug discovery—the need for readily accessible proteins throughout the drug development process. He stated, “The demand for Nuclera’s technology is expanding rapidly… Elevage is proud to support Nuclera and its leadership team.”

Dr. Jonathan Milner, Chairman of the Nuclera Board of Directors and a prominent figure in the biotechnology sector, emphasized the transformative potential of the eProtein Discovery system. He remarked, “The ability to screen multiple protein expression profiles and print purified proteins in as little as 24 hours will revolutionize laboratory workflows and make a demonstrable impact in research and drug discovery timelines.” Milner's close involvement with Nuclera follows his recent appointment as Chairman, further aligning his expertise with the company's mission.

The $75 million funding round represents a pivotal moment for Nuclera as it gears up to advance its eProtein Discovery platform and solidify its position within the biotechnology landscape. With a focus on accelerating protein production for drug discovery, Nuclera stands to make a significant impact on research workflows, ultimately enhancing the pace and efficiency of scientific discoveries. As the life sciences sector continues to evolve, Nuclera’s innovative solutions are well-positioned to meet the growing demands of researchers and the industry at large. For more information about Nuclera's eProtein Discovery system, interested parties can visit the company’s official website.