Derry Start-Up Secures £590,000 for Northern Ireland’s First Stem Cell Biobank

A new health and life sciences start-up based in Derry has raised £590,000 in pre-seed funding to establish Northern Ireland’s first dedicated stem cell biobank. The start-up, named LifeCellsNI, will create a licensed facility for regulated human tissue storage under the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) guidelines. The investment round was led by the AMP Angel Syndicate, with additional support from Co-Fund III, which is managed by Clarendon Fund Managers.

The facility aims to address a significant gap in the local healthcare infrastructure. Currently, Northern Ireland lacks the necessary long-term storage options for stem cells and therapeutic tissues, forcing patients and research organizations to send biological materials to facilities in mainland UK. This situation adds layers of regulatory complexity and increases costs.

Catherine King, the founder of LifeCellsNI, emphasizes the importance of establishing this facility. She stated, “The facility is designed, not only to serve families preserving cord blood, but also to support Health Trusts, universities, and private life sciences companies requiring compliant storage and processing capability without investing in their own infrastructure.”

Building the Biobank Facility

LifeCellsNI is in the process of creating a fully regulated cryogenic storage and laboratory processing hub. The construction of a cleanroom is currently underway, with plans for commissioning, validation, and licensing set for completion ahead of the operational launch scheduled for April 2024.

King highlighted the impact of infrastructure on healthcare participation, stating, “Infrastructure determines participation. If a region lacks regulated biobanking capability, it limits its ability to engage fully in advanced therapy programmes and regenerative medicine research. We are building that missing piece.”

LifeCellsNI was incubated within the AMP Growth Incubator ecosystem. The start-up has also received support from regional innovation bodies, including Invest NI, the Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI), and the Derry City & Strabane District Council.

This investment marks a significant step forward for health services in Northern Ireland, promising to enhance the region’s capabilities in stem cell research and therapeutic applications. As LifeCellsNI prepares to launch its facility, it stands poised to make a lasting impact on healthcare infrastructure and patient care in the area.