o2h group
o2h group is a privately-held Anglo-Indian life science company operating six subsidiaries: integrated chemistry/biology CRO services, seed investment (EIS/SEIS funds), custom software, a Cambridge incubator, a preclinical IP pipeline, and community programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersCambridge, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What o2h group does
o2h group is a privately-held, multi-vertical Anglo-Indian life science and technology company founded in 2005 by brothers Sunil Shah and Prashant Shah and headquartered in Cambridge, UK with primary research operations in Ahmedabad, India. The group operates through six subsidiaries: o2h Discovery (an integrated chemistry and biology contract research organization offering custom synthesis, medicinal chemistry, PROTAC synthesis, ADME, lipid nanoparticle synthesis, and biological services), o2h Ventures (an HMRC-approved SEIS/EIS seed investment manager with a 30+ portfolio of early-stage life science companies), o2h Technology (custom software and product development, including the proprietary CITC project management platform), o2h Co-work Labs (a 2.7-acre incubator on Mill SciTech Park in Hauxton), o2h Community (non-profit and CSR initiatives), and o2h Therapeutics (a proprietary preclinical IP pipeline in oncology, anti-ageing, and diabetes).
The company's revenue mechanism is layered: o2h Discovery generates fee-for-service CRO revenue from project-based and multi-year FTE contracts with pharma and biotech clients globally; o2h Ventures generates carried interest and equity returns from EIS/SEIS-backed biotech investments; o2h Technology earns software development revenue (and powers CITC used internally and externally); o2h Co-work Labs earns incubator rents; o2h Therapeutics is positioned to monetize IP via spin-outs; and o2h Community is a non-commercial social arm. The proprietary innovation pipeline includes the ChamelogK Assay (a first-in-world PROTAC chameleonicity measurement, published in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry), the CITC platform (the world's first chemistry and biology project management app, awarded 'Best Use of Technology' at Pharma Industry Awards UK 2023), and a 100+ building block PROTAC Toolbox for degrader assembly.
Customer acquisition combines direct enterprise sales with a distinctive Kickstarter competition program that subsidizes chemistry services (6 FTE chemists for the cost of 1) to seed-stage small-molecule biotechs across the UK, Australia, Israel, Italy, USA, and Japan — an explicit top-of-funnel motion aimed at converting awardees into full-service Discovery clients. Headcount stands at approximately 350 people across the ecosystem, with the 300+ India research team being the largest single block. Customers are predominantly early-stage biotech startups (Curza, In4Derm, Protai, Cedilla, Arrakis, Sentinel Oncology, Origami, Kuano, AzaSynth, Sevenless, Five Alarm) alongside established pharma engagements; one notable partnership (In4Derm's option and licensing deal with a Nasdaq-listed biotech) carries potential milestones exceeding $200M. The company has no public API and no AI-native products disclosed.
o2h group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- o2h group
- Legal name
- o2h Group
- Website
- https://o2h.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- o2h group is a privately-held Anglo-Indian life science company operating six subsidiaries: integrated chemistry/biology CRO services, seed investment (EIS/SEIS funds), custom software, a Cambridge incubator, a preclinical IP pipeline, and community programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
o2h group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Drug Discovery Contract Research Services
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Preclinical CROs (Discovery/Pharmacology/DMPK) (HLAGAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Bioanalytical & Biomarker CROs (PK/PD/Immunogenicity) (HLAGAAAD)
Keywords
Where o2h group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
o2h group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Drug Discovery CRO Services: Fee-for-service contract research organization providing chemistry and biology services to pharma and biotech companies. Services include custom synthesis, medicinal chemistry, PROTAC synthesis, ADME, and lead optimization. Revenue generated through project-based contracts with biotech and pharma clients globally.
- Kickstarter Competition Awards: Competitive award program providing chemistry services to early-stage biotech companies. Winners receive 6 FTE chemistry teams at subsidized costs. While the program provides upfront value, it generates downstream revenue from companies that continue using o2h discovery services.
- Seed Investment (o2h Ventures): Investment returns through seed investments in early-stage life science companies via HMRC approved EIS/SEIS funds. Generates returns through equity appreciation and exit events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | CRO Services - Custom Synthesis |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Kickstarter Program - 6 FTE Chemistry Team |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
o2h group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
o2h group operates an integrated chemistry and biology drug discovery contract research organization (CRO) from Cambridge, UK and Ahmedabad, India, providing custom synthesis, medicinal chemistry, PROTAC synthesis, computational chemistry, chemical biology, ADME, and lead optimization services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The group also runs a seed investment arm (o2h Ventures) using HMRC-approved EIS/SEIS funds to back early-stage life science and technology companies.
Product overview
o2h group is a multi-vertical life science and technology company organized into six divisions: o2h Discovery (integrated chemistry and biology CRO services), Chemistry in the Cloud (CITC - world-first chemistry project management app), o2h Ventures (seed investment fund), o2h Technology (custom software development), o2h Co-work Labs (biotech incubator), and o2h Therapeutics (preclinical IP pipeline). The group also runs the o2h Kickstarter Competition for early-stage biotech support and organizes the annual Collaborative Innovation Conference. The company operates from Cambridge, UK and Ahmedabad, India, co-investing, co-creating, and co-executing across boundaries to seed new ideas in life science and technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- o2h Discovery: Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing integrated chemistry and biology drug discovery services
- o2h Ventures
- o2h Technology
- o2h Co-work Labs
- o2h Community
- o2h Therapeutics
- Chemistry in the Cloud (CITC)
- o2h Kickstarter
- o2h PROTAC Toolbox
- Mill SciTech Park
Products and services
- o2h Discovery CRO Services Integrated chemistry and biology drug discovery services including custom synthesis, medicinal chemistry, PROTAC synthesis, computational chemistry, chemical biology, ADME and lead optimization for biotech and pharma companies.
- Chemistry in the Cloud (CITC) The world's first chemistry and biology project management app enabling real-time collaboration, chemical inventory management, project tracking, ADME module, analysis requests, and electronic lab notebook capabilities for drug discovery teams.
- ChamelogK Assay First-in-the-world assay for measuring chameleonicity of PROTAC molecules, a cost-effective chromatographic descriptor for assessing molecular adaptability to environmental changes, enabling better prediction of permeability and bioavailability beyond Rule of Five constraints.
- o2h PROTAC Toolbox Off-the-shelf toolbox with 100+ building blocks including E3 ligase ligands (VHL and Lenalidomide derivatives), various linkers (alkyl, PEG, cyclic) with different physiochemical properties, enabling rapid assembly of PROTAC degrader analogues.
- Lipid Nanoparticle Synthesis Services Synthesis of phospholipid molecules for LNP drug delivery applications from mg to multi-gram scale, including PEGylated, fluorescent, and ionic lipid components for mRNA vaccines and gene therapy.
- o2h Ventures Seed Investment Funds HMRC-approved Human Health SEIS Fund and Knowledge Intensive EIS Fund providing dedicated seed capital for early-stage biotech therapeutic companies and AI ventures, generating returns through equity appreciation and exit events.
- o2h Co-work Labs Incubator Co-working space and incubator in Hauxton, Cambridge for entrepreneurs, scientists, and techies, part of the 2.7-acre Mill SciTech Park providing laboratory space and ecosystem support for early-stage life science companies.
- o2h Therapeutics Preclinical Pipeline Proprietary preclinical IP pipeline in oncology (glioblastoma, breast cancer), anti-ageing, and diabetes, focused on newco co-curation and spin-out of unloved/novel pre-seed ideas and IP for later seed stage funding.
- Visibly Workforce communications and people analytics platform designed to nurture a culture of advocacy, developed as a portfolio company of o2h Technology.
- o2h Technology Custom Software Development Multi-function, multi-platform technology capability specializing in customized product and special project builds covering all stages of the product development lifecycle, including mobile apps, CRMs, project management tools, and scientific applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 6 FTE chemistry team at cost of 1 FTE through Kickstarter program
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use o2h group
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
o2h group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
o2h group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CurzacoreMulti-FTE chemistry collaboration to support Curza's lead program targeting gram-negative bacteria through lead optimization and towards the clinic. o2h discovery provides synthetic chemistry services while Curza contributes their novel antibiotic program targeting ESKAPE pathogens.
- UK BioIndustry Association (BIA)minorSunil Shah serves on the board of the UK BioIndustry Association, contributing to industry advocacy and policy discussions for the UK biotech sector.
- NIPER AhmedabadminorAcademics from NIPER Ahmedabad participated in the 8th Collaborative Innovation Conference. NIPER is India's premier pharmaceutical sciences institute.
- ProtaicoreWinner of o2h Kickstarter Competition 3.0. o2h discovery provides small molecule synthetic chemistry to support Protai's proteomics-centred, vertically integrated drug discovery platform for oncology research. Protai is backed by Grove Ventures, Pitango HealthTech, and Maj Invest.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
o2h group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- WuXi AppTec: Global CRO/CDMO offering end-to-end discovery, development and manufacturing services including medicinal chemistry and biology. One of the largest competitors for outsourced drug discovery chemistry work at scale.
- Charles River Laboratories: Large global CRO/CDMO with a Discovery Services segment offering medicinal chemistry, biology and safety assessment. Competes for the same biotech/pharma chemistry outsourcing work as o2h Discovery but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
- Pharmaron: China/UK/US-headquartered CRO/CDMO providing integrated drug discovery and development services including medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK and CMC. A broad incumbent overlapping with o2h Discovery on medicinal chemistry and PROTAC services.
- Eurofins Discovery: Discovery services arm of Eurofins Scientific offering medicinal chemistry, in vitro pharmacology and ADME services globally. Broad incumbent that competes for outsourced discovery chemistry programs.
Direct peers
- Sai Life Sciences: India-based contract research and CDMO offering discovery chemistry, biology, and process R&D services. Operates a similar low-cost India delivery model serving US/EU biotech and pharma customers, making it a head-to-head comparable for o2h Discovery.
- Jubilant Biosys: Subsidiary of Jubilant Pharmova offering integrated drug discovery services including medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry and biology from India. Comparable India-based discovery CRO with similar client base.
- Selvita: Poland-headquartered CRO providing integrated drug discovery, medicinal chemistry and biology services to biotech and pharma clients across Europe and the US. Comparable mid-sized discovery CRO with similar therapeutic and modality focus.
- Concept Life Sciences: UK-based drug discovery CRO providing medicinal chemistry, in vitro biology and ADME services to pharma and biotech. Comparable mid-sized UK/Europe-headquartered discovery services provider.
- Aragen Life Sciences: India-headquartered drug discovery CRO (formerly GVK Biosciences) offering medicinal chemistry, biology and integrated discovery services to global biotech and pharma. Closely comparable to o2h Discovery on cost-arbitraged medicinal chemistry model serving early-stage biotech.
- Sygnature Discovery: UK-based drug discovery CRO with strong medicinal chemistry and integrated drug discovery capabilities, headquartered in Nottingham. Directly comparable on UK-anchored discovery services for biotech/pharma customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
o2h group social profiles
Digital presenceo2h group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
o2h group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
o2h group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
o2h group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
o2h group 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 o2h group
What does o2h group do?
o2h group operates an integrated chemistry and biology drug discovery contract research organization (CRO) from Cambridge, UK and Ahmedabad, India, providing custom synthesis, medicinal chemistry, PROTAC synthesis, computational chemistry, chemical biology, ADME, and lead optimization services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The group also runs a seed investment arm (o2h Ventures) using HMRC-approved EIS/SEIS funds to back early-stage life science and technology companies.
Is o2h group a public or private company?
o2h group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was o2h group founded?
o2h group was founded in 2005. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is o2h group based?
o2h group is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does o2h group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Drug Discovery CRO Services are the primary driver. The others are kickstarter Competition Awards and seed Investment (o2h Ventures).
Who are o2h group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are WuXi AppTec, Charles River Laboratories, Pharmaron and Eurofins Discovery. Direct peers are Sai Life Sciences, Jubilant Biosys, Selvita, Concept Life Sciences, Aragen Life Sciences and Sygnature Discovery.
Does o2h group have an API?
No public API is recorded for o2h group.
What industry is o2h group in?
o2h group's product category is Drug Discovery Contract Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAAAB, Preclinical CROs (Discovery/Pharmacology/DMPK), with a secondary code of HLAGAAAD, Bioanalytical & Biomarker CROs (PK/PD/Immunogenicity). Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.