Maidenhead biotech Testavec Limited raises £73k for gene therapy testing platform

Providing a patented human cell-based platform for gene therapy safety testing, Testavec Limited has secured £73k in its latest funding round. The Maidenhead-based company operates a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSc) in vitro genotoxicity testing platform designed for the gene therapy industry. This technology allows for the screening and selection of gene therapy viral vectors during the design and non-clinical testing phases to ensure safety and efficacy.

Founded in 2017, Testavec addresses the limitations of animal models in vector testing, which can produce biased oncogenic readouts. By using human cell-based testing, the company aims to reduce the time required to bring gene therapy products to market. The platform provides primary culture, viral infection, and differentiation of human iPSc cells, alongside molecular analysis of biomarkers related to vector-induced genotoxicity.

The latest raise of £73k results in an estimated post-money valuation of £292k (allotment and filing dates May 2026). This figure follows previous funding activity at higher valuations. In December 2025, Testavec raised £306.9k at a valuation of £6.1m. Prior to that, an October 2024 round saw the company raise £277.7k at a £5.5m valuation.

Financial records for the year ended 31 July 2025 indicate the company has 4 employees, while data from LinkedIn suggests a team of 7. Testavec has previously collaborated with GeneWerk to develop a battery of tests intended to bridge the gap between pre-clinical and clinical safety assessments. The company's headquarters are located in Maidenhead, with additional operations listed in Uxbridge. The platform is designed to satisfy unmet needs in vector safety testing for both developers and manufacturers.