What Portal Biotech does

Portal Biotech is a London-based biotechnology company founded in 2021 that develops single-molecule proteomics and metabolomics technology based on proprietary nanopore biosensing chemistry evolved from pioneering research at the Maglia Lab at the University of Groningen. The platform uses nanopores to capture proteins and metabolites as they pass through, producing unique electrical signatures that encode atomic-level differences, which are decoded by machine learning algorithms to identify molecules and extract sequence and modification information.

The company's offering comprises three core technology pillars: Small-Molecule DX for metabolite detection and sample purity assessment, Peptide Spectrometry (NPS) for peptide quantification and post-translational modification analysis in a mass-spec-compatible workflow, and Full-Length Protein Sequencing for end-to-end analysis of intact proteins including identification of modifications such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, acetylation, deamidation, conjugation, and proteolysis on a single-molecule basis. These capabilities are delivered through bench-top instruments and protein characterisation laboratory services, with the company claiming the world's first full-length single-molecule protein sequencer.

Portal Biotech serves academic research institutions, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, industrial users, and service centres/core facilities via a sales-led, enterprise motion combining direct instrument sales, in-house lab services, and an Early Access Programme. The company operates from London (Scale Space, 58 Wood Lane) with a wholly owned Dutch subsidiary, Portal Biotech BV, in Groningen adjacent to the originating Maglia Lab. In June 2025 it closed a $35 million Series A co-led by NATO Innovation Fund and Earlybird Venture Capital, marking NATO Innovation Fund's first biotech investment and positioning the platform within biosecurity applications alongside commercial proteomics.

Name

Portal Biotech

Legal name

Portal Biotech Limited

Website

https://portalbiotech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Portal Biotech is a London-based biotechnology company developing nanopore-based single-molecule protein sequencing and characterisation technology for academic research institutions, biopharmaceutical firms, and industrial users.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Proteomics Instruments

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Biomarker Laboratory Services (Immunoassays/Flow/Cytometry) (HLAGAEAB), AI/ML-Enabled Biologic Discovery Platforms (computational design, in silico screening) (HLAAAIAE)

Keywords

• Single-molecule proteomics
• Nanopore protein sequencing
• Bench-top biosensing instruments
• Protein characterisation services
• Nanopore biosensing technology

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Protein Characterisation Services: Portal's instruments are available today through protein characterisation services provided by their laboratories. Customers can access the technology via lab services.
2. Bench-Top Instrument Sales: Sale of bench-top instruments for protein characterisation. Range of instruments for academic research to biopharmaceutical and biotechnology, to industrial; small labs to high-volume workflows.
3. Early Access Programme: Commercial and academic parties can sign up for Early Access Programme to access the technology.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Portal Biotech develops and sells bench-top nanopore-based protein characterisation instruments and provides protein characterisation services through its own laboratories. The platform uses nanopore biosensing coupled with machine learning to perform full-length single-molecule protein sequencing, peptide spectrometry, and small-molecule/metabolite detection for academic, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, and industrial customers. The technology evolved from pioneering work at the Maglia Lab at the University of Groningen.

Product overview

Portal Biotech offers a single-molecule proteomics platform based on proprietary nanopore biosensing technology evolved from the Maglia Lab at the University of Groningen. The platform encompasses three core technologies: Small-Molecule DX for metabolite detection, Peptide Spectrometry (NPS) for peptide analysis with mass-spec compatibility, and Full-Length Protein Sequencing for intact protein analysis. These technologies are delivered through bench-top instruments and laboratory services, enabling real-time protein characterisation with sensitivity from small peptides to large proteins over 100 kDa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bench-top Protein Characterisation Instruments A range of bench-top nanopore-based instruments that perform single-molecule protein, peptide, and small-molecule characterisation for academic research institutions, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, industrial users, service centres, and core facilities. They scale from small labs to high-volume workflows.
• Protein Characterisation Services Laboratory service in which Portal Biotech performs protein characterisation on customer samples using its nanopore biosensing instruments via its own laboratories. Targets academic and commercial parties seeking access to the technology without immediately purchasing an instrument.
• Early Access Programme Programme through which commercial or academic parties can sign up to gain early access to Portal Biotech's nanopore instruments and technology platform ahead of broader commercialisation.
• Portable Nanopore Analyser A portable nanopore-based analyser for proteins, peptides and biomolecules being developed as a late-stage prototype to analyse, characterise and classify pharmacologically active biomolecules and biomarkers. Currently in development as part of an EFRO project.

Quantifiable outcome

• Real-time, rapid results for biological questions
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of Groningen (Maglia Lab)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Portal Biotech's nanopore technology evolved from pioneering work from the Maglia Lab at the University of Groningen. This represents the foundational technology platform for the company.
• Rijksuniversiteit GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023EFRO project partner developing and validating a portable nanopore technology-based analyser for proteins, peptides and biomolecules. Goal is to produce a late-stage prototype with which pharmacologically active biomolecules and biomarkers can be analysed, characterised and classified.
• GECCO Biotech B.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023EFRO project partner developing and validating a portable nanopore technology-based analyser for proteins, peptides and biomolecules. Total project funded by EU at €800,000.
• Cortalix B.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023EFRO project partner developing and validating a portable nanopore technology-based analyser for proteins, peptides and biomolecules. Total project funded by EU at €800,000.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nautilus Biotechnology: Single-molecule protein analysis platform using a proteomic analysis technology to characterize proteins at the individual molecule level. Most direct competitor to Portal Biotech given similar single-molecule proteomics positioning.
• Quantum-Si: Developer of single-molecule protein sequencing and detection platform with benchtop instruments. Directly comparable to Portal Biotech in instrument-based single-molecule protein analysis.
• Olink Holding: Leading proteomics company providing affinity-based protein biomarker discovery platforms. Competes with Portal in the protein biomarker characterization market, though using a different underlying technology.
• Seer: Proteomics company offering a platform for deep, unbiased proteomic analysis. Direct competitor to Portal Biotech in next-generation proteomics for biomarker discovery and proteoform characterization.
• SomaLogic: Proteomics platform provider leveraging aptamer-based technology for large-scale protein measurement. Competes with Portal in protein biomarker profiling and drug discovery applications.

Broad incumbents

• Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Established nanopore-based sequencing platform primarily focused on DNA/RNA. Uses the same foundational nanopore technology as Portal Biotech but operates at much larger scale in adjacent sequencing markets.
• 10x Genomics: Single-cell and spatial biology tools company with broader scope than proteomics. Comparable as a premium life-sciences tools platform with similar benchtop instrument business model and academic/biopharma customer base.
• Standard BioTools: Provider of analytical life sciences instruments including mass cytometry and microfluidics. Comparable in offering benchtop analytical instruments to pharma and academic research customers.

Emerging players

• Element Biosciences: Developer of DNA sequencing platforms with technology-driven approach and bench-top instrumentation. Comparable as an emerging life-sciences tools company targeting benchtop sequencing/analysis instruments.

Others

• Ginkgo Bioworks: Synthetic biology platform that has spun out Portal Bio (cell engineering and drug discovery). Sister/sibling entity under the Portal brand and a potential collaboration partner in biosecurity and protein engineering applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors10 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Portal Biotech