A pioneering Scottish biotech company, ScreenIn3D, has secured a £750,000 seed investment to advance its groundbreaking “lab-on-a-chip” technology, marking a significant step forward in the acceleration of cancer drug development.
ScreenIn3D, a spin-out from the University of Strathclyde, was co-founded by academic engineer Professor Michele Zagnoni and life sciences veteran Alex Sim. Their innovative platform allows drug developers to test dozens of cancer therapies on tiny, patient-derived tumour samples—providing a faster, more accurate, and ethical alternative to traditional animal testing.
The recent funding round was led by TRICAPITAL Angels Ltd, with participation from existing investors Gabriel Investments, Scottish Enterprise, and the University of Strathclyde, as well as German investor Nidobirds Ventures and private individuals.
The investment will enable ScreenIn3D to expand its technology’s applications beyond cancer to fields such as women’s health, immune therapies, and fertility treatment – areas where access to accurate, human-relevant testing models is crucial.
Professor Michele Zagnoni, CEO of ScreenIn3D, commented:
“Patient-derived tumour tissue is one of the most valuable resources in drug development, yet its use is often limited by cost and scarcity. Our technology changes that, making it possible to run a high volume of tests on minimal samples. This opens the door to faster discovery of effective drug combinations, with fewer failures along the way. By enabling accurate, high-throughput testing on real human tissue, we can improve success rates, cut development times, and reduce reliance on animal testing—ultimately getting better treatments to patients faster.”
Moray Martin, CEO at TRICAPITAL Angels, added:
“ScreenIn3D is a standout example of the high-impact, deep-tech innovation that’s putting Scotland on the map. Their technology addresses a critical global issue—the need to reduce the gestation time and cost of drug development—and is backed by strong scientific credibility.”
Anne Henderson, Head of Investment at the University of Strathclyde, said:
“ScreenIn3D is an excellent example of how academic research can translate into pioneering solutions with global reach and meaningful societal impact, and we are proud to support it through our Strathclyde Inspire Investment Fund.”
ScreenIn3D is already generating revenue, with both bio-pharma companies and cancer centres using its platform. The company plans to grow its team from five to eight employees as it scales operations and deepens industry partnerships.
