Cambridge biotech Qkine secures £1.4m to scale protein engineering

An estimated £1.4m has been raised by Qkine Limited in a funding round that values the company at £11.8m. The Cambridge-based firm manufactures high-purity, animal-origin-free growth factors, cytokines, and complex bioactive proteins used in biomedical research. These products support researchers and developers working on stem-cell and organoid culture.

Incorporated in 2016, the business commercialises proprietary technology developed in Dr Marko Hyvönen’s laboratory at the University of Cambridge. Its protein-engineering techniques address scalability challenges in the life sciences sector, such as the creation of optimised R-spondins to replace conditioned media. These recombinant proteins serve fields including cellular agriculture, cell therapy, and regenerative medicine.

Financial results for the year ended 31 March 2026 show a £1.4m loss. The company reported 30 employees in its latest accounts, though LinkedIn data indicates a current headcount of 36. This investment follows a funding total of £44.8k recorded in 2025.

The round was documented in a June filing (following an April allotment). Production is conducted under ISO 9001:2015 quality standards for emerging applications such as cultured meat and organ-on-a-chip systems.