EnsiliTech, a Bristol-based biotechnology startup, has landed £4.5 million in seed funding to enhance the storage and transportation of life-saving medicines. The funding round was oversubscribed and will be used to speed up the adoption of proof-of-concept for existing and new biopharmaceuticals by hiring more staff and improving infrastructure. It will also help generate key data needed to incorporate the company’s patented Ensilication technology into pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
EnsiliTech’s leadership and research and development teams are predominantly female, which the company says reflects its commitment to diversity and inclusion. This attracted investment from HERmesa, a company that only supports female-led businesses.
The global pharmaceutical industry currently relies on a ‘cold chain’ system for refrigeration during transit and storage, which is reported to cost an estimated £26 billion annually due to failures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that up to 50% of vaccines are wasted in developing economies due to cold chain breakdowns, leaving millions without access to treatments. EnsiliTech’s Ensilication technology is designed to preserve vaccines, antibodies, and other biopharmaceuticals, allowing them to be stored and transported at temperatures up to 50°C. This makes it possible to transport medicines to underserved regions where reliable refrigeration is a challenge. The technology uses silica to create a protective coat around the active ingredient, keeping it stable regardless of temperature or humidity. When the medicine is ready to be administered, the silica coating breaks away, leaving the active ingredient in its original form.
Dr. Asel Sartbaeva, co-founder and CEO of EnsiliTech, said: “Our mission is to ensure that life-saving medicines and vaccines reach everyone, everywhere, regardless of infrastructure or geography. By eliminating the need for refrigeration, our technology significantly reduces supply-chain costs and drug waste, while also lowering the environmental impact of pharmaceutical distribution. This investment is a major step forward for the team, and we’re thrilled to have the backing of partners who share our vision for a more equitable and sustainable future in global healthcare.”
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