Semarion, a University of
Cambridge spin-out from the Cavendish Laboratory, has raised $3.8 million in funding to support the expansion of its cell-based screening
technology. The round was led by Parkwalk, with participation from The FSE Group,
Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, Oxford Innovation Finance, Found Capital,
Cambridge Capital Group, and Start Codon.
This round follows the
company’s $2.89 million seed funding raised in 2022 and marks a further step in
scaling its platform.
Semarion develops
next-generation tools for cell-based drug discovery by combining materials
engineering, microfabrication, and cell biology. Its proprietary SemaCyte
platform enables adherent cells to be used as barcoded, assay-ready, and
automation-compatible reagents, allowing researchers to multiplex cell models,
increase throughput, and generate richer datasets within existing laboratory
workflows.
By addressing key limitations in adherent cell assays, the
technology is designed to improve efficiency and data generation in drug
discovery processes.
The company is seeing
increasing traction across the industry, with its technology already adopted by
several global pharmaceutical organisations, including top 10 pharma companies,
and pilot programmes progressing toward wider commercial deployment across the
US and Europe.
In parallel, Semarion has established collaborations with life
sciences tools providers, integrating its technology into imaging, analysis,
and automated liquid handling workflows.
The new funding will
support Semarion in scaling manufacturing of the SemaCyte platform while
advancing its commercial expansion. It will also be used to strengthen field
application support and facilitate broader adoption of the technology among
pharmaceutical and life sciences partners, as the company responds to growing
industry demand.