Biocaptiva, a biotechnology company based in Edinburgh, has secured £1.58 million in new funding to expand the development of its liquid biopsy sample preparation technology.
The round was led by Archangels, with participation from Old College Capital, BBI, Scottish Enterprise, and EverQuest Capital Partners. The company also announced the appointment of Alan Schafer as Chief Technology Officer to support the next phase of product development and commercialization.
What The Company Does
Biocaptiva develops technologies designed to improve the preparation and analysis of liquid biopsy samples used in genetic testing and cancer diagnostics. The company focuses on extracting cell-free DNA (cfDNA), genetic material that circulates in the bloodstream and can provide insights into disease processes.
The company’s core technology platform, msX, uses magnetic polymer beads to capture and isolate DNA directly from whole blood samples. Unlike traditional liquid biopsy preparation methods, the system does not require centrifugation or additional reagents during the extraction process.
This simplified workflow allows researchers and diagnostic laboratories to obtain DNA samples more quickly while maintaining high yield and quality. By improving the efficiency of sample preparation, the platform aims to enhance the sensitivity and reliability of downstream genetic testing.
Biocaptiva’s technology is designed for both research and clinical applications, including cancer detection, disease monitoring, and broader genetic analysis.
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Market Context / Industry Background
Liquid biopsy technologies have gained increasing attention in recent years as a non-invasive method for detecting and monitoring diseases such as cancer. Rather than requiring tissue samples collected through surgical biopsies, liquid biopsies analyze biomarkers present in blood samples.
One of the key biomarkers used in these tests is cell-free DNA, which can contain fragments of genetic material shed by tumors or other diseased cells. However, the concentration of cfDNA in blood is often extremely low, making it challenging to isolate sufficient material for reliable analysis.
Improving sample preparation and DNA extraction techniques has therefore become an important area of innovation within the biotechnology sector. More efficient extraction technologies can enable earlier disease detection, more accurate monitoring of treatment response, and broader use of genomic testing.
Companies developing improved nucleic acid extraction tools aim to support the growing adoption of precision medicine, where treatments are increasingly guided by detailed genetic information.
Founder / Investor Commentary
Biocaptiva CEO Jeremy Wheeler said the company’s technology is designed to address a major technical limitation in current liquid biopsy workflows.
Traditional methods of isolating cell-free DNA often involve multiple preparation steps and specialized laboratory equipment, which can introduce delays and reduce efficiency.
By enabling direct extraction from whole blood, the msX platform aims to simplify the process while improving DNA yield.
The company believes that improving the early stages of sample preparation can have a significant impact on the quality of genetic analysis and diagnostic testing.
Growth Plans / Use Of Funds
Biocaptiva will use the new funding to expand its research and development activities and broaden its product portfolio.
The company plans to continue refining its msX platform while exploring additional applications for its magnetic polymer technology across different areas of genomic research and diagnostics.
Part of the funding will also support the development of new products designed for laboratories conducting large-scale genetic testing.
The appointment of Alan Schafer as Chief Technology Officer is intended to strengthen the company’s technical leadership as it advances its technology roadmap and prepares for wider market adoption.
Biocaptiva was originally spun out from the University of Edinburgh in 2021 and has since focused on commercializing the research behind its nucleic acid extraction platform.
About Biocaptiva
Biocaptiva is a biotechnology company developing technologies for liquid biopsy and nucleic acid extraction. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Edinburgh, the company uses proprietary msX polymer technology to capture and isolate cell-free DNA from blood samples. Its platform is designed to support genetic disease detection, cancer monitoring, and precision medicine research by improving the efficiency and reliability of DNA extraction workflows.
