bit.bio, spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016, has built a proprietary cell-programming platform that combines an AI-enabled discovery engine with its patented opti-ox™ technology to convert iPSCs into precise human cell types. Its commercial ioCells™ portfolio now exceeds 50 product SKUs, spanning wild-type, disease-model, CRISPR-ready and tracker cells that are supplied to pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms and academic labs worldwide. The technology underpins New Approach Methodologies that aim to replace animal testing with more predictive, human-relevant models. Fresh capital will be used to accelerate product development, expand into the multi-billion-dollar toxicology market, scale global operations and generate industry-leading datasets for AI model training. Management also plans to bolster manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand. Since inception the company has raised more than US$200 million from investors such as Arch Venture, BlueYard Capital, Charles River Laboratories, Foresite Capital, M&G, Milky Way, National Resilience and Tencent.

Total raised

$195M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

Jan 2026