University of Edinburgh spinout BIOCAPTIVA has secured £1.58 million in new funding as it moves to accelerate the commercial rollout of its liquid biopsy technology and expand into the US market. The biotechnology company is focused on improving how blood samples are prepared for cancer research and diagnostics, an area that has remained a major technical bottleneck in the rapidly growing field of non invasive genetic testing.
The latest investment round was led by existing investor Archangels, with participation from Old College Capital, BBI, Scottish Enterprise and new investor EverQuest Capital Partners. Alongside the funding, the company has launched its first research product in the United States, marking an important milestone in its commercial expansion.
Tackling a bottleneck in liquid biopsy research
Liquid biopsy technology has gained significant attention in recent years as scientists search for less invasive ways to detect and monitor diseases such as cancer. Instead of requiring tissue samples obtained through surgery or biopsy procedures, liquid biopsy tests analyse fragments of DNA circulating in the bloodstream.
These fragments, known as cell free DNA, can contain genetic information linked to tumours and other health conditions. However, preparing blood samples for this type of analysis has long presented technical challenges. Current laboratory processes often require complex sample preparation techniques that involve centrifugation and multiple chemical reagents.
BIOCAPTIVA aims to overcome these limitations by simplifying the process of capturing and isolating cell free DNA directly from whole blood samples. By improving sample preparation, the company hopes to make liquid biopsy testing more reliable, scalable and accessible for research and diagnostic applications.
Introducing the msX technology platform
At the centre of BIOCAPTIVA’s innovation is its patented msX technology platform. The system uses specialised magnetic beads designed to capture DNA directly from whole blood samples without requiring centrifugation or additional reagents.
This approach simplifies the workflow for laboratories while improving the quality of the DNA samples collected. By streamlining sample preparation, the technology enables faster processing and opens the door to automated laboratory workflows that could support large scale research studies.
The company recently introduced its msX kits for research use in the United States, launching the product in Boston earlier this month. The launch is intended to help build scientific evidence for the technology across multiple applications within cancer research and molecular diagnostics.
Liquid biopsy testing continues to expand globally as researchers explore new methods for detecting disease earlier and monitoring treatment responses. Technologies that improve the efficiency and reliability of sample preparation are increasingly seen as critical components of this growing ecosystem.
Strengthening leadership and expertise
As part of its growth strategy, BIOCAPTIVA has also strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Alan Schafer as Chief Technology Officer. Schafer brings more than three decades of experience in genetics technologies and molecular diagnostics.
His previous roles include Chief Technology Officer at Inivata, a cancer diagnostics company acquired by NeoGenomics in 2021, as well as leadership positions at Population Genetics Technologies and 14M Genomics. Earlier in his career he also served as Vice President of Technology Development globally at GlaxoSmithKline.
The addition of experienced leadership is expected to support the company as it expands its product development and commercial activities in the rapidly evolving diagnostics sector.
Advancing cancer research and diagnostics
According to BIOCAPTIVA’s leadership team, scientists working in oncology have made significant advances in analysing genetic material obtained from liquid biopsies. However, the methods used to prepare blood samples have seen limited innovation for many years.
The company believes its msX platform could transform how samples are collected and processed in research laboratories. The technology allows larger blood samples to be processed more efficiently while delivering higher quality DNA for analysis.
By enabling faster extraction and simplified workflows, the platform could allow researchers to iterate more quickly in cancer studies and explore new diagnostic approaches.
Expanding research and product development
The newly secured funding will be used to accelerate BIOCAPTIVA’s research and development efforts as the company expands its product portfolio and explores additional applications for its technology.
Investment will also support the continued commercial rollout of its msX platform and help strengthen the company’s presence in international markets.
With growing global demand for non invasive genetic testing, BIOCAPTIVA is positioning itself as a technology provider capable of improving the infrastructure behind liquid biopsy research. By addressing one of the field’s longstanding technical barriers, the company hopes to contribute to faster progress in cancer research and ultimately improve patient outcomes worldwide.