Isomerase has announced the launch of EvoSelect®, a machine learning-guided enzyme engineering platform designed to accelerate development timelines, enhance performance under industrial conditions, and reduce the cost and complexity of enzyme optimisation. EvoSelect® forms part of Isomerase’s broader IsoZym™ platform, an end-to-end offering that spans protein design, expression, and scale-up.

Aberdeen-based microbiology services provider and internationally recognised bacterial culture collection NCIMB Ltd has secured a £1.7m investment from the Investment Fund for Scotland, managed by Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”) and the Scottish National Investment Bank. The Maven team were first introduced to NCIMB at an IFS Roadshow in Aberdeen, hosted by the British Business Bank.

The findings of the Project Willow study highlight several options that can drive the development of a new hub for sustainable industries. Split into three areas – waste and recycling projects, bio-feedstock initiatives and renewable energy – this collection of projects are anticipated to create up to 800 skilled jobs, offering potential new avenues for the current workforce, as well as creating additional economic opportunities.

Alex Speakman, founder of E.V.A Biosystems, provides insight into his company’s groundbreaking invention that allows plastics to break down in the sea without creating harmful microplastics.

A startup creating a biodegradable ‘wool’ material from by-products of the Scottish shellfish sector has relocated its headquarters to Glasgow in a move that will underpin future growth and shorten its supply chains.

MiAlgae, a biotech leader committed to reducing environmental impact through the sustainable production of Omega-3s, has appointed Simon Durrant as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as it prepares for significant expansion.

Biotech pioneer MiAlgae has marked a major step forward in its mission to increase production volumes of its sustainable biotechnology solutions, as it submits plans for a new production facility in Grangemouth, Scotland.

Can “good bacteria” be used to maintain good health as we grow older? Scottish biotech company NCIMB has teamed-up with the pioneering Rowett Institute at the University of Aberdeen, to address this question in a new research project, funded by Innovate UK.

Research and development initiatives designed to accelerate bio-based manufacturing in Scotland have received a £5 million funding boost through Innovate UK’s Launchpad programme.

Dr Edward Green, CEO of Aberdeen-based biotech company NCIMB Ltd has won the Business Leadership Award at Scotland’s Life Sciences Awards. The evening, which was held in Glasgow on the 13th of March, was a fantastic celebration of all that the Scottish life sciences sector is achieving.

Scotland’s renowned food and drink industry, led by exports like whisky and seafood, plays a crucial role in the economy, with Scotch whisky exports alone reaching £5.4 billion last year. However, to sustain this success amid climate challenges and a growing global population, embracing bioeconomy innovations—from resilient crops to precision fermentation and sustainable packaging—is essential for future-proofing the industry.

Atelerix, the pioneering biotech company revolutionising cell preservation, has unveiled BloodReady™, a first-of-its-kind solution that extends the shelf life of fresh whole blood for up to three days at refrigerated temperatures (2-8°C) - without cryopreservation or chemical fixation.

The James Hutton Institute is delighted to announce that sustainable dye developer SeaDyes has joined the Hutton as a spin-in company, securing £75,000 of funding from Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme.

Revolutionary developments in renewable energy, mental health, education, sport, medicine and food and drink have made it to the finals of the 10th Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards highlighting the diversity of sectors and disciplines thriving in Scotland. With 32 individuals, teams and projects shortlisted across 10 categories, the 10th anniversary celebration will be the largest to date.

The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) has appointed Dr Peter Williams, Group Technology Director and Head Of Investor Relations at INEOS, to lead its governing board and support the centre’s continued impact on the growing bioeconomy.

Firefinch Software is delighted to announce the hiring of Isabel Vincent as Market Development Manager within their team. As Market Development Manager, Isabel is keen to connect to a wide range of life science and biotech software users to better understand their needs and pain points – and see if the Firefinch team can assist.

As MiAlgae accelerates its mission to revolutionise Omega-3 production, it has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Jerome Quiohilag as Associate Director. The company repurposes whisky industry by-products to grow microalgae as a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to fish-derived Omega-3 sources

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes toured Scotland’s first biorefinery as it reached a milestone in its drive to commercialise ground breaking technology. Celtic Renewables has recently released the first tanker load of green chemicals from its Grangemouth plant, marking the beginning of regular shipments.

The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) welcomed more than 100 new members to its network in 2024, reflecting the ongoing growth of Scotland’s bioeconomy. 

Concinnity Genetics, an Edinburgh-based gene control company, is thrilled to announce the closure of its oversubscribed £3m seed funding round. The investment was led by Eos Advisory with support from Scottish Enterprise, Old College Capital (OCC) - the University of Edinburgh’s in-house venture investment fund, and Maven Capital Partners.