Cytochroma

Cytochroma operates within the life sciences sector, providing advanced alternatives to animal testing for the drug discovery and development industry. Founded in 2017 by Dr. Kate Cameron, the company leverages technology developed from her post-doctoral research at the University of Edinburgh. Dr. Cameron, who holds a PhD in artificial bone regeneration and a BSc in Reproductive Biology, translated her academic expertise in stem cells into a commercial venture after winning a business plan competition.

The company's core business revolves around predicting drug safety and efficacy across a global population by manufacturing and testing genetically diverse, three-dimensional "mini-livers" (hepatocytes) and is expanding into "mini-hearts" (cardiomyocytes). This is achieved using an ethically sourced, diverse library of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that represent various ethnic groups currently underrepresented in clinical trials, a key differentiator that aligns with FDA recommendations for inclusivity. By employing robotics and automation, Cytochroma can produce these organoids at scale, creating physiologically relevant models for toxicity screening and disease modeling, particularly for conditions like metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Its screening platform is reported to be significantly faster and more cost-effective than standard tests, utilizing machine learning to improve its predictive power over time.

The business model is centered on providing its cell models and screening services to pharmaceutical companies and medical research organizations, helping them to de-risk compounds before they enter expensive and time-consuming clinical trials. This service aims to make the drug development process more efficient and safer. The company has begun generating revenue and has established partnerships with organizations like the Beatson Institute and the Medicines Discovery Catapult. Based at the Roslin Innovation Centre near Edinburgh, a location famous for Dolly the Sheep, Cytochroma has secured nearly £1 million in funding through a combination of grants from Innovate UK and Scottish Enterprise, and equity investment from angel groups including Angel Academe, Investing Women Angels, and Cambridge Capital Group. Keywords: iPSC-derived hepatocytes, drug discovery, toxicity testing, preclinical screening, alternatives to animal testing, induced pluripotent stem cells, 3D cell culture, organoids, mini-livers, mini-hearts, precision medicine, life sciences, drug development, diverse genetic backgrounds, stem cell models, in-vitro models, personalized medicine, metabolic disease modeling, cardiomyopathy models, predictive toxicology, high-throughput screening, cell-based assays