Manchester techbio startup Imperagen raises £3.8m for AI enzyme design

Digital enzyme engineering specialist Imperagen has secured an estimated £3.8m in new funding to accelerate its AI-driven protein design platform. Based in Manchester, the techbio company uses its proprietary Digital Enzyme Evolution technology to unify machine learning with laboratory automation.

Founded in 2021 by researchers from the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Imperagen solves the problem of slow and costly traditional enzyme engineering. The company develops high-performance enzymes for pharmaceutical manufacturing, life sciences, and sustainable fine chemical production. Its platform uses physics-based simulations and computational modeling to design novel enzyme products for complex drug molecules and enzyme replacement therapies.

The company operates a closed-loop system where automated lab testing provides real-world data to refine its AI models. This approach is designed to shorten development timelines and reduce the environmental impact of industrial manufacturing. Imperagen targets diverse sectors including food, consumer goods, and drug delivery systems.

This funding round, which reached an estimated size of £3.8m, follows share allotments and filings completed in April 2026. The capital injection supports a team that currently lists 15 employees on LinkedIn, up from 12 reported in the company's latest accounts.

Imperagen remains focused on its Manchester operations, leveraging expertise in machine learning and high-throughput experimentation to create market-ready enzyme solutions. The company provides tailored engineering for specific chemical reactions, helping partner organizations transition toward enzyme-based manufacturing processes.