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Cytoseek is a technology company.
Cytoseek develops cell therapies utilizing proprietary cell membrane augmentation technology. This process modifies patient immune cells with a protein-based cellular paint, enhancing their ability to target solid tumors. The technology aims to expand cell therapy applicability beyond current limitations to blood cancers.
The company spun out of the University of Bristol in 2017, founded by Professor Adam Perriman. As a Professor of Bioengineering, Perriman identified the critical need to extend cell therapy to solid tumors, which existing treatments struggled to address. His research into overcoming the tumor microenvironment formed this novel approach.
Cytoseek's therapies are for patients facing solid tumors, representing most cancer-related deaths. The company envisions advancing next-generation cell therapies, expanding treatment options and improving outcomes for millions globally. Their objective is to deliver effective cell therapy for diverse tumor types.
Cytoseek has raised $6.4M across 2 funding rounds.
Cytoseek has raised $6.4M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Cytoseek has raised $6.4M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Cytoseek's investors include Harry Destecroix, Parkwalk Advisors, Luminous Ventures, Meltwind, UKI2S, University of Bristol.
CytoSeek is a discovery-stage biotech company developing artificial membrane-binding proteins to augment cell membranes, enabling next-generation cell therapies primarily for solid tumors in cancer treatment.[2][5][6] Its core technology "supercharges" immune cells by adding functionalities like tissue-specific targeting, enhanced survivability in hypoxic environments, and improved tumor penetration, addressing limitations in current therapies that mainly treat blood cancers like leukemia.[2][3][6] The company serves patients with solid tumors (responsible for 85% of cancer deaths), as well as potential applications in heart disease and osteoarthritis, with proof-of-principle studies underway.[2][3][6] Backed by a £3.6m ($5m) seed round in 2019 from investors including Science Creates, Luminous Ventures, UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund, and Parkwalk Advisors, CytoSeek operates from Bristol's Unit DX incubator as a University of Bristol spinout, focusing on preclinical validation to build a pipeline for partnerships and eventual acquisition.[2][3][6]
CytoSeek was founded in 2017 as a spinout from the University of Bristol by Professor Adam Perriman, a bioengineering expert in the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.[2][3][6] Perriman's initial research targeted stem cell therapies for post-myocardial infarction (heart attack) treatment, but a consultant advised pivoting due to limited market potential and lack of approved cardiac therapies.[3] The idea evolved to focus on oncology, leveraging artificial membrane-binding proteins—comprising an anchor domain for cell attachment and functional domains for enhancements like "scuba tanks" for hypoxic tumor environments.[3][6] Early traction came from Bristol's commercialization ecosystem, including senior research manager Andrew Wilson, leading to a rapid £3.6m seed round in 2019 from ten Bristol Private Equity Club angels, UKI2S, and the University of Bristol Enterprise Fund.[6] This funding provided an 18-24 month runway for preclinical work, humanizing the company's shift from cardiac to cancer applications amid solid tumor therapy challenges.[3][6]
CytoSeek stands out in cell therapy through its cell membrane augmentation platform, which externally modifies cells without genetic editing, enabling switchable functionalities for solid tumors.[3][6]
CytoSeek rides the cell and gene therapy boom, targeting the "holy grail" of solid tumor treatments where current CAR-T therapies fail due to poor infiltration and hostile microenvironments (85% of cancer deaths).[3][6] Timing aligns with surging demand for next-gen immunotherapies post-2017 approvals for blood cancers, amid market forces like partnerships from big pharma seeking tumor-homing tech.[3] As a Bristol spinout, it influences the UK deep-tech ecosystem by validating university IP commercialization—exemplified by its quick seed raise and preclinical push—while underserved areas like exosomes position it for hybrid biotech models beyond full-scale manufacturing.[2][3][6]
CytoSeek's preclinical pipeline could yield partnership deals within 2-3 years, advancing augmented cell therapies toward clinical trials for solid tumors and expanding to exosomes or non-oncology uses.[3] Trends like AI-driven protein design and hypoxia-focused oncology will amplify its edge, potentially evolving from spinout to acquisition target as big pharma consolidates cell therapy platforms.[3] Its Bristol roots may grow influence in Europe's deep-tech biotech hub, supercharging immune cells to transform the 85% of cancers long underserved—unlocking therapies where others stall.[6]
Cytoseek has raised $6.4M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Seed in March 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2021 | $5.0M Seed | Harry Destecroix | Parkwalk Advisors, Luminous Ventures, Meltwind, UKI2S |
| Nov 25, 2019 | $1.4M Other Equity | Parkwalk Advisors, University of Bristol |