UK Company Secures £600,000 for 3D Lung Model to Replace Animal Testing

ImmuONE, a UK-based biotech company developing a 3D human lung model for drug and chemical testing, has secured £600,000 in follow-on funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, Mercia Ventures, and the Pioneer Group. The funding is intended to support the company's expansion into new sectors, including agrichemicals and automotive, and to grow its 12-person team by hiring two additional scientists.

ImmuONE's 3D lung model, ImmuLUNG, is designed to provide a more accurate alternative to animal testing for assessing the safety of new drugs, chemicals, and consumer products. According to the company, research indicates that about 90% of drugs shown to be safe and effective in animals fail in human trials, highlighting the limitations of animal testing in drug development. The company’s model is designed to offer more reliable and reproducible results, which could help address this gap.

Founded in 2019 by Dr Abigail Martin and Professor Victoria Hutter from the University of Hertfordshire, ImmuONE initially raised £2 million in 2023, which supported its relocation to Milton Keynes and the establishment of laboratory space in Stevenage. Since then, the company has expanded its service offerings beyond respiratory safety testing to include complex immunology tests that assess the long-term effects of substances on the lung, such as inflammation. Its client base includes several major pharmaceutical and chemical companies.

The company nearly doubled its revenue in 2024 and anticipates similar growth in 2025. The latest funding round will enable ImmuONE to develop new assays and tests, engage with regulators to adapt industry standards for non-animal testing, and further establish itself in the growing market for human-based laboratory models.

Dr Abigail Martin stated that the funding will support the company’s goal to “help companies avoid unnecessary animal testing and provide more accurate and relevant test results.”

David Baker of Mercia Ventures described the shift away from animal testing as a growing trend, noting that ImmuONE’s work positions it to play a key role in developing reliable lung models. Glenn Crocker of the Pioneer Group highlighted the company's ability to attract blue-chip clients as a reflection of the quality of its work and market potential.

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund is supported by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Investment Bank as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014–2020.

Topics: Biotech