Discovery Park Ventures invests in two life sciences firms

Published by

Sam Pither

Two early-stage life sciences companies have received investment from Discovery Park Ventures.

The life sciences hub in Kent launched its investment fund earlier this year to provide risk capital to growing business in the life sciences and technology sectors.

The first is female-led startup BoobyBiome, which received funding for its novel product for infants unable to access the beneficial microbiome in breast milk. BoobyBiome received £100,000 from Discovery Park Ventures as part of the £1.3 million is raised for equity and grant funding.

Dr Lydia Mapstone, CEO of BoobyBiome, said: “We are thrilled to receive investment from Discovery Park Ventures as it supports us on our exciting journey.

“As we develop a clearer picture of the breast milk microbiome, BoobyBiome is focused on developing a life-changing product for babies worldwide.”

Also receiving £100,000 was Neobe Therapeutics, which is working to improve the response to immunotherapies in “cold” tumours that do not respond well to treatment. Utilising synthetic biology, the firm is developing bacteria which could disrupt the tumour’s microenvironment and increase drug efficacy. Including Discovery Park Ventures’ investment, the company raised £500,000 in non-dilutive and pre-seed equity funding.

Dr Pedro Correa de Sampaio, CEO of Neobe Therapeutics, said “Neobe Therapeutics wouldn’t be able to advance its anticancer research without the support of investors such as Discovery Park Ventures.

“We look forward to continuing to work with our collaborators on our mission to double the number of cancer patients that respond to immunotherapies through engineered live biotherapeutics.”

Chairman of Discovery Park, Mayer Schreiber, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to announce the latest recipients of investment funding from Discovery Park Ventures.

“BoobyBiome’s products have the potential to transform infant and life-long health and we chose to invest in Neobe Therapeutics because of the incredibly innovative science it has to treat cold tumours. Both companies will benefit from our expertise and networks.

“Since launching Discovery Park Ventures earlier this year we have provided investment capital to four growing life science start-ups which have real potential to disrupt the market with their innovative technologies and importantly, delivering viable solutions to the healthcare issues we face.”

Earlier this month, the life sciences cluster celebrated its tenth anniversary by launching ambitious plans for its expansion.

Discovery Park also featured in the first issue of the newly relaunched print magazine, which you can read online here.

Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset. A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise. Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.