Life sciences firm secures £2m to boost DNA work

A NEWCASTLE technology company has secured £2m in investment to accelerate the commercialisation of work that aims to detect diseases at earlier stages.

- GRAEME WHITFIELD

InvenireX, which builds on Dr Dan Todd’s PhD research at Newcastle University, has secured the funding from DSW Ventures, with participation from XTX Ventures, Cambridge Technology Capital and angel investors, plus grant funding from Innovate UK.

The company aims to address limitations in the science of molecular detection. InvenireX’s platform uses programmable DNA nanostructures to capture specific genetic markers inside custom microfluidic chips.

Al is then used to detection disease markers at concentrations existing methods cannot capture. In pilot testing, InvenireX has demonstrated greater sensitivity than existing methods, while also reducing time and cost for tests.

Dr Todd said: "Our machine could pick up cancer, HIV or sepsis earlier - any disease with a nucleic acid trace.