Bioorbit Ltd Secures £10.5m Seed Funding to Advance Space-Based Biologics Manufacturing

Bioorbit Ltd, a pioneering UK-based biotech Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), has successfully closed a substantial £10.5m seed funding round. The London-headquartered company is at the forefront of developing a scalable platform for the crystallisation of biologic drugs in microgravity, with the ambitious goal of establishing a pharmaceuticals factory in space. This significant capital injection, filed on 15 April 2026 with an allotment date of 16 March 2026, marks a pivotal moment for the nascent company as it pushes the boundaries of pharmaceutical production.

Founded on 28 July 2023, Bioorbit Ltd addresses a critical challenge in the pharmaceutical industry: the limitations of current biologic drug formulations. Many advanced treatments, such as antibody cancer therapies, require high-concentration, low-viscosity formulations to enable a shift from intravenous (IV) administration to more convenient at-home subcutaneous injections. Bioorbit's innovative approach leverages the unique environment of microgravity to achieve superior crystallisation of these complex biologic drugs, promising formulations that are more stable, potent, and easier for patients to administer. The company's target market includes pharmaceutical companies and researchers keen to explore the transformative potential of microgravity crystallisation.

The £10.5m seed round represents a substantial early-stage investment, significantly exceeding the typical median UK seed round of £500k-£800k and even the broader range of £100k-£2m observed in 2025. While the specific investors participating in this round and the company's post-money valuation were not disclosed, the size of the funding round underscores strong investor confidence in Bioorbit's vision and technological capabilities. This latest funding follows earlier support, including a £250,000 contract awarded by the UK Space Agency in February 2026 to advance experiments in made-in-space pharmaceuticals.

Bioorbit has quickly garnered recognition and support within the deep tech and space sectors. The company, which currently employs 14 individuals, has participated in several prestigious accelerator programmes, including the Airbus Accelerator Cohort 1, Seraphim Space Accelerator Mission 12, ESA BSGN Life Sciences, ESA BIC UK, and the UK Space Agency LEO Accelerator. These programmes have provided crucial mentorship, resources, and validation for Bioorbit's technology. The company is actively working towards its grand aim of developing a pharmaceuticals factory in space within the next 10 years, having already planned an in-orbit demonstration for early 2025.

The funding landscape for deep tech and biotech companies in the UK remains robust, despite some market fluctuations. Deep tech, defined by novel scientific or engineering breakthroughs, has seen considerable growth, now representing 31% of all UK venture capital funding, a threefold increase from a decade ago. The UK ranks third globally for deep tech venture capital since 2019, attracting $43.7 billion. London, where Bioorbit is based, is a leading hub for deep tech VC funding, securing $2.2 billion in 2025.

The biotech and life sciences sectors, in particular, have demonstrated resilience. In 2025, UK biotech companies collectively raised approximately £1.9 billion in equity financing, with venture capital accounting for £1.8 billion. This indicates a trend towards more concentrated, high-conviction investments in impactful companies. The UK captured around 30% of all European biotech venture funding in 2025, highlighting its strong position in the sector.

Within the broader space tech sector, while 2025 saw a 48.27% drop in funding for UK companies compared to 2024, the UK government is actively supporting in-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM). The government has allocated £105 million to develop civil capabilities in ISAM, recognising its potential for significant commercial returns and national resilience. This strategic focus provides a supportive environment for companies like Bioorbit that are innovating in space manufacturing. The substantial seed round secured by Bioorbit, amidst a more cautious climate for some parts of the space tech sector, underscores the unique and high-impact nature of its proposition.

Bioorbit Ltd's successful seed funding round positions the company to accelerate its mission of revolutionising pharmaceutical manufacturing. By harnessing the advantages of microgravity, Bioorbit aims to deliver advanced biologic formulations that can significantly improve patient care and treatment accessibility, ultimately paving the way for a new era of space-based industrial production.