BugBiome wins 100k support package from Discovery Park

By Tom Kilkelly

7 December 2023

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BugBiome, the company behind the world's first microbiome-based mosquito repellent, was announced as the winner of the Discovery Spark life science business support programme at the GIANT Health Healthcare Investment Show.

The award was announced on December 5 and means BugBiome will be receive a business support package worth over £100,000, including one year of free lab space at Discovery Park and £50,000 investment from Discovery Park Ventures.

Thirteen start-ups took part in the programme, including 3D Synthesis, Awen, Bing Bong Biologics, BioMavericks, BugBiome, CardioCrown, DLOC Biosystems, Dravya Discovery, KASNMR, Matrix Bio, Rapidx Bio, The Future Care and XR-Musica.

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BugBiome was chosen as the overall winner based on its 'promising business offering and extensive progress throughout the programme'.

Alicia Showering, Founder and CEO at BugBiome, said: “We’re so excited to win the Discovery Spark programme following a fantastic eight weeks learning from industry leaders and our fellow start-ups.

''We’re passionate about stopping the spread of deadly vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue and Discovery Spark has given us some excellent tools and connections to further progress our business and make this a reality.”

A wildcard prize was also awarded to BioMavericks. The company is an early-stage biotech start-up, focused on developing an in vitro diagnostic urine test for pancreatic cancer, and will receive six months of free lab space at Discovery Park and business support from Barclays Eagle Labs.

Mayer Schreiber, CEO at Discovery Park, said: “The Discovery Park team prides itself on supporting the next generation of life science leaders, and our Discovery Spark programme is the embodiment of that.

''Working with these companies has demonstrated the wealth of innovation we have in the UK and it excites me to see how they will progress in the future. Congratulations to the winners, we look forward to welcoming you to Discovery Park soon.”

By Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022.

During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan).

His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.