Atelerix is a Newcastle University biotech spin-out commercializing a patented hypothermic preservation technology and hydrogels that extend shelf life and simplify shipping of cells, tissues, viruses and blood products. Its gel-based solution enables storage and transport at 4–25°C, allows cells to maintain over 90% viability for 14 days at room temperature, and removes reliance on cryogenic shipping and specialised equipment. The company says the approach can cut per-shipment costs by 50–80%, uses standard packaging rather than dry ice or cryogenic containers, and eliminates energy‑intensive freezers and harmful refrigerants. Atelerix reports a 99.7% reduction in CO2 emissions for a single shipment versus traditional methods and has shown real-world resilience in an extended 10–12 day customs-delay test in which 40% of cells survived and were regrown. The firm highlights partnerships and customer validation with life-science companies and plans to use new funding to boost branding, sales and widespread adoption of its hydrogels. Financially, the company has raised £750,000 in the reported round, bringing year-to-date funding to £1.25 million. Atelerix is a Cambridge and Newcastle, UK-based spin-out from the University of Newcastle commercializing hydrogel cell encapsulation technology. Its core product is a hydrogel solution for the storage and transport of viable cells, including stem cells and cell-based assays, at ambient temperatures. The technology is positioned to support companies that sell or use cells and tissues for drug discovery, testing, and development of cell therapies, as well as stem cell storage providers. The company intends to use the funds from its seed round to bring its cell storage products to market. Leadership includes CEO Mick McLean and scientific founder Professor Che Connon. The company closed a seed funding round (amount undisclosed) to advance commercialization.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jan 2025