Prime Highlights-
- Magnitude Biosciences secures £1.3 million to accelerate commercialisation of its VivoScan drug discovery platform.
- Durham University spinout aims to become the first company screening millions of compounds in a whole organism.
Key Facts-
- Northstar Ventures leads the round, backed by the North East Spinout Inspire Fund and regional partners.
- Deal also unlocks a £217,000 Innovate UK Investor Partnership grant.
Background-
Magnitude Biosciences, a spinout from Durham University, has secured £1.3 million to accelerate commercialisation of its VivoScan platform, helping pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms identify promising treatments for ageing, longevity and neurodegenerative diseases faster and more cost effectively.
VivoScan uses hundreds of nematode worms as a biological model, combining them with advanced imaging, machine learning, agentic AI, automation and robotics to generate whole organism data in weeks rather than years. This offers a faster alternative to traditional drug testing and supports the shift toward non-mammal research.
Northstar Ventures led the funding round, committing capital from the North East Spinout Inspire Fund, backed by the region’s five universities, alongside the North East Innovation Fund and the Northstar EIS Growth Fund. The deal also unlocks a £217,000 Innovate UK Investor Partnership grant.
Dr Fozia Saleem, chief executive, said the goal is to become the first platform screening millions of compounds in a whole organism, with the investment bringing that ambition closer while reshaping the scale and speed of drug discovery.
She added that VivoScan’s data helps researchers understand how therapies affect health, ageing and disease, helping partners identify stronger candidates earlier.
The funding will scale the VivoScan platform, expand commercial activity with global pharmaceutical companies, fund additional equipment and automation, and support new hires as the business grows.
Dr Will Cousins of Northstar Ventures praised the team and technology, while Sarah Newbould of the British Business Bank said the round supports the region’s growing life sciences sector.