Magnitude Biosciences
Magnitude Biosciences is a UK-based CRO spun out of Durham University that uses C. elegans nematode models and proprietary WormGazer™ imaging and VivoScan™ high-throughput screening platforms to provide preclinical drug discovery services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceutical, and academic customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersDurham, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Magnitude Biosciences does
Magnitude Biosciences is a UK-based contract research organization (CRO) that provides preclinical drug discovery services using the nematode worm C. elegans as a whole-organism model, targeting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, and academic customers working on age-related diseases, longevity, neurodegeneration, gut health, and metabolic disorders. Founded as a spin-out from Durham University and headquartered at NETPark in Sedgefield, County Durham, the company operates two proprietary technology platforms: WormGazer™, an automated imaging system for behavioral and physiological monitoring of C. elegans, and VivoScan™, a high-throughput whole-organism screening platform offering compound profiling from $1 per compound. The company has assembled a portfolio of nine specialized assay services spanning healthy aging and longevity, gut health, muscle health, cognitive health, weight management, neurodegeneration, toxicity, transgenics, and a dedicated rapamycin positive-control assay in which it claims to have resolved long-standing reproducibility challenges.
The company monetizes through fee-for-service project-based contracts with pricing that is largely custom-quoted based on study design, with unit pricing starting at $1 per compound for the VivoScan platform. Its go-to-market combines direct B2B sales targeting enterprise pharma and biotech with content marketing, industry conference presence (ELRIG Drug Discovery, Probiota), webinars, case studies, and a published white paper positioning the company as a thought leader in C. elegans-based drug discovery. Distribution is global in scope, with the company claiming to serve customers across multiple countries. Named disclosed customers include Lundbeck (pharma), Samsara Therapeutics and PhoreMost (biotech), AB Biotek Human Nutrition & Health (nutraceuticals), the University of Kent (academia), and startup-stage buyers including PointLab, Five Alarm Bio, and Gerostate Alpha.
Magnitude Biosciences has been funded primarily through UK innovation grants and matched regional investment, with cumulative disclosed rounds since 2019 totaling approximately £1.5–2M across investors including Northstar Ventures, Finance Durham Fund, NPIF Maven Equity Finance, Future Fund, North East Fund, Saker Capital, Innovate UK, and the ERDF-backed North East Innovation Fund. The company is led by CEO David Weinkove (a Durham University academic and longevity researcher) and CTO Chris Saunter (physicist), with Dr Sally Waterman serving as non-executive Chairman and John O'Brien as COO. Strategic partnerships have been established with BioAscent Discovery (compound library profiling), Lundbeck (neurodegeneration), AB Biotek (probiotics), and a 2023 Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst consortium with LightOx, NunaBio, and Hexis Lab.
Magnitude Biosciences firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Magnitude Biosciences
- Legal name
- Magnitude Biosciences Limited
- Website
- https://magnitudebiosciences.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Magnitude Biosciences is a UK-based CRO spun out of Durham University that uses C. elegans nematode models and proprietary WormGazer™ imaging and VivoScan™ high-throughput screening platforms to provide preclinical drug discovery services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceutical, and academic customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Magnitude Biosciences industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Contract Research / Preclinical Drug Discovery
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Preclinical CROs (Discovery/Pharmacology/DMPK) (HLAGAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Specialty Therapeutic-Area CROs (e.g., oncology/rare disease) (HLAGAAAL)
Keywords
Where Magnitude Biosciences is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Durham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Magnitude Biosciences business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Contract Research Services: Magnitude Biosciences operates as a contract research organization (CRO) providing fee-for-service research contracts to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceutical companies, and academic institutions. Services include preclinical drug discovery studies using C. elegans models, with project-based pricing based on assay complexity and compound number.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Per compound screening starting at $1 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Magnitude Biosciences product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Magnitude Biosciences is a contract research organization (CRO) that provides C. elegans (nematode worm)-based preclinical drug discovery services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceutical, and academic clients. The company operates proprietary automated imaging (WormGazer™) and high-throughput whole-organism screening (VivoScan™) platforms to test compounds for effects on aging, longevity, neurodegeneration, gut health, muscle health, cognitive health, weight management, toxicity, and transgenics. Services are delivered as fee-for-service research projects leveraging the short C. elegans lifecycle for rapid, cost-effective data generation.
Product overview
Magnitude Biosciences is a contract research organization (CRO) spun out of Durham University that provides specialized C. elegans-based research services to the pharmaceutical, biotech, nutraceutical, and academic sectors. The company operates two core technology platforms: the WormGazer™ automated imaging technology and the VivoScan™ high-throughput screening platform, which together enable whole-organism screening at scale. These platforms support a portfolio of specialized assay services including Healthy Ageing & Longevity, Gut Health, Muscle Health, Cognitive Health, Weight Management, Neurodegeneration, Toxicity, Transgenics, and Rapamycin assays. The company focuses on preclinical drug discovery for age-related diseases, offering automated, high-throughput alternatives to manual assays with data reproducibility and scalability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- VivoScan™ Platform
Quantifiable outcome
- C. elegans lifecycle of 3 days and total lifespan of 2-3 weeks enables data generation in weeks rather than years compared to mammalian models
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Magnitude Biosciences
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Magnitude Biosciences technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Magnitude Biosciences partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- BioAscent DiscoverycoreMagnitude Biosciences and BioAscent Discovery announced a collaboration to profile the Chemogenomics Library using Magnitude's VivoScan™ whole-organism screening platform. This integration combines BioAscent's compound management and integrated drug discovery services with Magnitude's high-throughput C. elegans screening capabilities.
- Life Sciences Consortium (LightOx, NunaBio, Hexis Lab)coreMagnitude Biosciences is part of a Life Sciences consortium including LightOx, NunaBio, and Hexis Lab that collectively secured a multi-million pound Biomedical Catalyst 2023 Innovate UK grant. The consortium enables collaborative biomedical research and shared resources for innovation.
- LundbeckcoreCollaboration with Lundbeck, a pharmaceutical company, on an innovative platform to test interventions for neurodegenerative disease. This partnership leverages Magnitude's C. elegans expertise and Lundbeck's pharmaceutical development capabilities.
- AB Biotek Human Nutrition & HealthcorePartnership with AB Biotek, the global leader in yeast probiotics and postbiotics, to develop new probiotic formulations. The collaboration has resulted in novel information on formulations, new technology implementation, and joint publications and patent filings.
- Durham UniversitycoreMagnitude Biosciences was spun out from Durham University, maintaining ongoing research connections and access to academic expertise in biology and aging research.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Magnitude Biosciences competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- InVivo Biosystems: US-based CRO offering C. elegans and zebrafish custom research services for drug discovery, including aging and disease model studies. Most directly comparable peer as both specialize in C. elegans contract research with academic and biotech customers.
- Nemametrix: Provider of C. elegans screening instruments (ScreenChip) and contract screening services, including for toxicity and drug discovery. Competes with Magnitude in C. elegans-based phenotypic screening with platform-plus-service offering.
- Phylonix Pharmaceuticals: Specialty preclinical CRO using zebrafish and other small model organisms for drug discovery and toxicology. Comparable niche-CRO positioning around whole-organism screening for pharma and biotech customers.
Emerging players
- BioAscent Discovery: Integrated drug discovery CRO with compound management and medicinal chemistry services, currently partnered with Magnitude on the Chemogenomics Library profiling program. Comparable as a UK-based boutique CRO serving biotech discovery needs.
Broad incumbents
- Charles River Laboratories: Global preclinical CRO with extensive discovery, safety assessment, and in vivo capabilities including aging research. Comparable as a large-scale alternative for sponsors considering whether to outsource to a specialist CRO or a full-service incumbent.
- Eurofins Discovery: Large discovery services division of Eurofins offering in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, safety, and ADME services. Comparable as a broad incumbent that could add or acquire C. elegans capabilities to compete in aging and nutraceutical screening.
- Labcorp Early Development: Global CRO providing preclinical, clinical, and bioanalytical services including in vivo pharmacology and safety assessment. Represents the large-pharma-vendor alternative that Magnitude competes against for enterprise discovery contracts.
- Reprocell (Biopta): Japan-headquartered preclinical CRO with European operations (acquired Biopta) focused on human tissue and early discovery services. Comparable as a mid-sized specialty CRO offering alternative human-relevant preclinical models to biotech and pharma.
- Evotec: Global drug discovery CRO with in vivo and in vitro platforms including induced pluripotent stem cell and phenotypic screening capabilities. Comparable as a large alternative for sponsors seeking integrated preclinical discovery partnerships.
- WuXi AppTec: Largest global preclinical CRO offering discovery, toxicology, and bioanalytical services across multiple model systems. Represents the scale-leader benchmark for outsourced preclinical capacity that Magnitude may compete against on cost for screening work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Magnitude Biosciences social profiles
Digital presenceMagnitude Biosciences financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Magnitude Biosciences leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Magnitude Biosciences funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Magnitude Biosciences M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Magnitude Biosciences
What does Magnitude Biosciences do?
Magnitude Biosciences is a contract research organization (CRO) that provides C. elegans (nematode worm)-based preclinical drug discovery services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceutical, and academic clients. The company operates proprietary automated imaging (WormGazer™) and high-throughput whole-organism screening (VivoScan™) platforms to test compounds for effects on aging, longevity, neurodegeneration, gut health, muscle health, cognitive health, weight management, toxicity, and transgenics. Services are delivered as fee-for-service research projects leveraging the short C. elegans lifecycle for rapid, cost-effective data generation.
Is Magnitude Biosciences a public or private company?
Magnitude Biosciences is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Magnitude Biosciences founded?
Magnitude Biosciences was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Magnitude Biosciences based?
Magnitude Biosciences is headquartered in Durham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Magnitude Biosciences make money?
One revenue line is on record: contract Research Services.
Who are Magnitude Biosciences's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are InVivo Biosystems, Nemametrix and Phylonix Pharmaceuticals. BioAscent Discovery is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Charles River Laboratories, Eurofins Discovery, Labcorp Early Development, Reprocell (Biopta), Evotec and WuXi AppTec.
Does Magnitude Biosciences have an API?
No public API is recorded for Magnitude Biosciences.
What industry is Magnitude Biosciences in?
Magnitude Biosciences's product category is Contract Research / Preclinical Drug Discovery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAAAB, Preclinical CROs (Discovery/Pharmacology/DMPK), with a secondary code of HLAGAAAL, Specialty Therapeutic-Area CROs (e.g., oncology/rare disease). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.