Northern Gritstone announced that it led a £4 million seed investment into University of Sheffield single-molecule microscopy spinout firm Exciting Instruments.
Co-investors into the round include Empirical Ventures, NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, and serial entrepreneurs Stan Boland and Jonathan Millner.
“Exciting Instruments has developed and delivers a practical and efficient new platform for single-molecule detection, opening up adoption to an unconstrained user base spanning pharma, healthcare and other industrial applications,” said Northern Gritstone.
“Its platform technology allows users to visualise and analyse individual molecules and their interactions, whilst also providing high throughput processing and automation of analytics, advancements that are critical for improved efficiency and productivity.
“Early customers of Exciting Instruments’ platform are already using it to drive new discoveries in drug development, clinical diagnostics and a range of research applications in both the pharmaceutical industry and within leading research laboratories.
“Where incumbent approaches have failed to scale, Exciting Instruments is demonstrating a new path that will totally redefine molecular analysis and transform global health outcomes.”
Northern Gritstone CEO Duncan Johnson said: “Northern Gritstone is delighted to support Exciting Instruments’ internationally renowned team from the University of Sheffield. Their technology will open up a broad range of health-related research and discovery and will also support job creation in Sheffield’s thriving tech cluster. I’m particularly pleased that the funding round for Exciting Instruments has been over-subscribed which is another validation of the quality of deep tech investment opportunities that exist within the Northern Triangle.”
CEO Tim Craggs CEO and COO Rob Bell, Co-Founders of Exciting Instruments, said: “Our vision at Exciting Instruments is to bring the power of single-molecule detection to every academic and pharma lab across the globe. We’re not just building technology — we’re creating a new era where single-molecule insights become the foundation for breakthroughs that will redefine what’s possible in human health.”