A Scottish life sciences start-up developing technologies to improve cancer diagnostics has secured new funding of £1.58 million to launch its first commercial product in the United States.
BIOCAPTIVA, a spin-out from the University of Edinburgh, aims to address one of the most persistent technical bottlenecks in the fast-growing liquid biopsy sector: preparing blood samples for genetic testing.
The company’s newly launched msX technology uses magnetic bead extraction to isolate cell-free DNA directly from whole blood, eliminating several complex steps typically required in sample preparation. The approach could significantly speed up cancer research and diagnostic testing by making the process faster, more scalable and easier to automate.
The latest investment round was led by Archangels and supported by existing investors including Old College Capital, BBI Solutions and Scottish Enterprise, as well as new investor EverQuest Capital Partners.
Liquid biopsy, a technique that analyzes genetic material from blood samples rather than tumor tissue, has become one of the most promising developments in cancer diagnostics in recent years. It allows doctors and researchers to detect cancer-related genetic changes through simple blood tests, reducing the need for invasive surgical biopsies.
However, preparing blood samples to isolate usable genetic material remains a complex and time-consuming process. Traditional methods typically require centrifugation equipment, multiple reagents, and extensive laboratory work, which slows analysis and increases costs.
BIOCAPTIVA’s patented msX platform aims to simplify this process. Using special magnetic beads, the system captures cell-free DNA directly from whole blood samples without the need for centrifuges or additional reagents.
The result is higher quality DNA extraction with faster processing times and fewer technical steps – improvements that could allow laboratories to process larger volumes of samples more efficiently.
CEO Jeremy Wheeler said the technology closes a long-standing gap in cancer research workflows.
“Scientists and technicians do remarkable work with the samples they receive, but the preparation phase has not progressed significantly in years,” he said.
“Our msX platform has the potential to revolutionize the way samples are collected and processed, enabling larger sample volumes, faster extraction and fully automated workflows.”
The company has already begun commercializing the technology internationally, launching its research-grade msX bead kits in Boston earlier this month.
The move reflects BIOCAPTIVA’s strategy to establish early validation and research partnerships in the United States, one of the world’s largest markets for oncology diagnostics and biotechnology innovations.
By delivering the technology to research laboratories, the company hopes to generate evidence for numerous applications in cancer detection, genetic testing and clinical diagnostics.
The liquid biopsy market itself is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decade as non-invasive diagnostic methods become increasingly important in personalized medicine.
Industry analysts estimate that global demand for liquid biopsy technologies could reach tens of billions of dollars annually as health systems adopt earlier techniques for cancer detection and monitoring.
In addition to the funding announcement, BIOCAPTIVA also confirmed the appointment of Alan Schafer as Chief Technology Officer.
Schafer brings more than three decades of experience in the areas of genetic engineering and molecular diagnostics. His career includes senior leadership positions in several high-profile biotech companies.
He was previously CTO of Inivata, which was acquired by NeoGenomics in 2021 for $415 million.
His previous positions include leadership roles at Population Genetics Technologies and 14M Genomics, and serving as global vice president of technology development at GlaxoSmithKline.
The company believes Schafer’s experience in scaling diagnostic technologies will help accelerate the commercialization of its platform.
The £1.58 million investment will primarily be used to expand research and development and expand BIOCAPTIVA’s product portfolio.
Future applications of the technology could extend beyond cancer diagnostics to other areas of genetic testing and molecular medicine.
Sarah Hardy, head of new investments at Archangels, said the company is at a critical stage in its development.
“BIOCAPTIVA is reaching a turning point with the launch of its msX beads,” she said.
“The technology has remarkable market potential and the company now has the leadership team, research capabilities and business strategy needed to scale.”
The investment also reflects the continued momentum in Scotland’s life sciences sector, which has become a key driver of economic growth and high-quality jobs.
Derek Shaw, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said the agency’s support for BIOCAPTIVA demonstrated a wider commitment to scaling innovative businesses emerging from Scottish universities.
“Our investment underlines our focus on increasing capital investment in Scottish businesses,” he said.
“Supporting companies like BIOCAPTIVA helps increase productivity, increase exports and create higher quality jobs across the economy.”
As BIOCAPTIVA expands its research partnerships and product development pipeline, the company hopes its technology will help accelerate advances in cancer detection and treatment.
For Wheeler, the long-term goal is clear.
“In practice, this technology means faster, deeper cancer research and potentially better outcomes for millions of patients worldwide,” he said.
