10 science startups join Discovery Park accelerator
Ten science and technology startups are set to take part in the latest edition of Discovery Spark, the accelerator programme run by Kent’s Discovery Park, as it continues to support emerging businesses developing solutions to some of today’s biggest challenges in healthcare, biotechnology and agriculture.
Launched on 4 November, the eighth cohort brings together 13 founders whose work spans drug discovery, diagnostics, cell engineering, wound care, and crop science. Their innovations range from designing new drugs to tackle previously untreatable proteins to developing peas with significantly enhanced iron content.
Among the companies is London-based Ternary Therapeutics, which is developing a new approach to discovering molecular glues – a promising class of drugs capable of targeting disease-causing proteins that have traditionally been considered ‘undruggable’.
Founded in 2024, the company combines artificial intelligence, physics-based modelling and laboratory testing to deliberately engineer these molecules, rather than relying on the largely chance-based discovery methods historically used. Having secured £3.6 million in seed funding in March 2026, it is now advancing programmes targeting inflammatory and neuroinflammatory diseases.
Elsewhere, agricultural biotechnology spinout HiFe Plants is looking to tackle iron deficiency through the development of nutrient-rich crops.
Emerging from the John Innes Centre, the company is developing high-iron crop traits for use in biofortified foods and ingredients. Its trials have demonstrated that just 25g of HiFe pea shoots can provide 100% of a woman’s recommended daily iron intake.
The company is now working with a specialist commercial pea breeder in New Zealand to incorporate its HiFe1 trait into a commercial variety, with the longer-term ambition of producing a plant-based iron ingredient as an alternative to conventional supplements.
The two businesses offer a snapshot of the breadth of innovation represented in this year’s cohort, which also includes technologies designed to identify prediabetes risk through breath analysis, improve the reliability of vaccine delivery, and develop non-hormonal treatments for endometriosis.
Wound care is another prominent theme, with companies exploring new materials and formulations to improve protection and healing.
The ten businesses were selected for their innovation, the strength of their teams and the potential need for their solutions. Over the course of November, founders will take part in specialist-led sessions in Kent and London, covering everything from finance, taxation and legal governance to risk management, business performance and communications.
The programme will culminate in an interactive investor pitch day on 3 December, giving founders the opportunity to present their businesses to relevant active investors and strengthen their prospects of securing future investment.
For Discovery Park, the latest intake marks another milestone for a programme that has steadily built its presence in the UK’s science and technology startup community.
First launched in 2023, Discovery Spark has supported 77 companies and 115 founders across its seven previous cohorts. Alumni have collectively secured more than £6.5 million in UKRI funding.
Renos Savva, Head of Innovation and Venture Development at Discovery Park and programme lead for Discovery Spark, said the latest intake was the programme’s broadest yet.
“Cohort 8.0 is our broadest cohort yet, running from the lab bench to the farm field, with founders working on molecular glues, cell engineering, wound care and high-iron crops.
“Several of these companies have already raised investment or come out of leading research institutions. Over the coming weeks we’ll work closely with every team to sharpen their investor narrative and test their commercial strategy, so they leave ready to raise their next round and get their technology into use.”
A closer look at the ten companies
The latest cohort features businesses at different stages of development, each tackling a distinct scientific or commercial challenge.
- BIO Technologies is developing PURA, a molecular diagnostic platform designed to detect DNA and RNA targets in as little as ten minutes, without conventional amplification techniques or specialist laboratory equipment. It is also developing DermaMaxx, a wound dressing incorporating plant-derived antibacterial nanoparticles.
- Carocell Bio is developing patented anti-inflammatory peptides to treat serious inflammatory diseases. Its lead candidate, JEL0305, has shown early promise in human skin-biopsy results for atopic dermatitis.
- CleverSkin Technologies is developing CleverSkin24, a polyurethane-based foam wound covering designed to provide physical protection, cushioning and fluid absorption for minor cuts, abrasions and lacerations.
- HiFe Plants is developing high-iron crop traits to create biofortified plant varieties, with its technology currently being incorporated into a commercial pea breeding programme.
- Nano-Nose is developing an AI-powered breath analysis platform to identify cardiometabolic risks earlier, initially focusing on prediabetes. The technology combines molecular breath analysis with AI-driven health intelligence.
- Ovitrix is working on a non-hormonal treatment for endometriosis, using a repurposed small molecule designed to target the growth and formation of lesions rather than simply managing symptoms.
- Semper-B Therapeutics is developing a cell-engineering platform designed to turn a patient’s own cells into living antibody factories, with potential applications across several therapeutic areas.
- Seven Nodes is building a human biology simulation platform to support drug discovery. Combining biological data, statistical and mechanistic modelling, and experimental validation, its technology aims to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers identify and assess therapeutic targets.
- Ternary Therapeutics is using AI, physics-based simulations and laboratory experiments to develop molecular glues targeting disease-driving proteins, with programmes focused on neurology and inflammatory diseases.
- VisiPatch is developing a colour-changing microneedle patch that visually confirms when a vaccine or biologic drug has been successfully delivered. The technology aims to improve dosing confidence while addressing issues including needle phobia, cold-chain requirements and clinical waste.
Discovery Spark is open to UK-based science and technology startups and SMEs across all disciplines, with themed cohorts running throughout the year.
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