Inaphaea BioLabs

What Inaphaea BioLabs does

Inaphaea BioLabs Limited is a translational contract research organisation (tCRO) that provides cell-based assays for oncology and women's health drug discovery, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of ValiRx Plc (AIM-listed) from MediCity Nottingham, UK. The company's core asset is a biobank of more than 470 patient-derived cell (PDC) models spanning 66 cancer types, with associated RNAseq and phenotypic data for select lines, supplied under ethical and commercial-use consent via a Material Transfer Agreement with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Services span cancer cell assays (cytotoxicity, proliferation, apoptosis, synergy), flow cytometry/FACS, viability assays in 2D and 3D (spheroid) formats, immunoassays, and bespoke assay development, complemented by eight strategic capability partners covering biological modelling (Physiomics), formulation (Agility Life Sciences), enzyme assays (Inspiralis), AI toxicity prediction (Ignota Labs), iPSC-derived liver assays (DefiniGEN), GLP/GCP tissue analysis (HistologiX), digital patient avatars (TwinEdge Bioscience), and fresh patient tissue/immune cells (Nottingham Bioresource).

The business operates multiple revenue streams. Direct contract research services (CRO) are sold on a fixed-pricing basis for validated assays and bespoke quotes for custom projects, targeting pharma and biotech companies with multi-stage engagements. Biobank samples and associated RNAseq/phenotypic data are licensed non-exclusively for machine learning and biomarker applications. The Assay Ready Reagents (ARR) product line distributes ready-to-assay PDC vials globally under license. In 2025 the company licensed its PredictRx personalised cancer screening platform exclusively to Dominion Biotech, entitling Inaphaea to 50% of global net revenues (first revenues expected Q4 2025), and is also digitising PDCs into an in-silico avatar population via TwinEdge Bioscience. Hybrid evaluation/development programmes with third parties (Stingray Bio, McGill/IRICoR, Blue Ribbon Bio) combine fee-for-service with shared ownership and milestone/royalty upside. Geographic distribution is global via direct sales, Scientist.com marketplace listing, and channel partners in the US (Spanios), Italy (BioRep), Sweden (BioReperia) and Spain (Xenopat).

Name

Inaphaea BioLabs

Legal name

Inaphaea BioLabs Limited

Website

https://inaphaea.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Inaphaea BioLabs is a UK-based translational CRO (spin-out of ValiRx Plc) that provides oncology and women's health drug discovery services built around a biobank of 470+ patient-derived cell models across 66 cancer types, sold to pharma and biotech clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Translational Contract Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Cell-Based & Potency Assays (Bioassays) (HLAGADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Biomarker Laboratory Services (Immunoassays/Flow/Cytometry) (HLAGAEAB), Bioinformatics & Multi-omics Analysis Software (HLAGAJAD), In Vivo Discovery & Translational Models Platforms (humanized models, PK/PD, efficacy) (HLAAAIAK)

Keywords

• Translational drug discovery
• Cell-based assays
• Patient-derived cells
• Oncology contract research
• Preclinical assay services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Research Services (CRO): Bespoke assay development and testing services for pharma and biotech clients. Services include cancer cell assays, immunoassays, cell population analysis, cell proliferation/viability assays, and custom assay development. Pricing follows a transparent fixed-pricing model for standard validated assays, with bespoke pricing for custom development. Revenue is project-based and multi-stage, generating near-term revenue from service contracts.
2. Biobank Sample Licensing: Patient-derived cells are available for purchase under license for use in customers' own laboratories. Assay Ready Reagents (ARR) are available as ready-to-assay vials for direct use without in-house growth. Additional revenue stream from licensing associated phenotypic and RNAseq data to customers for machine learning, biomarker verification, and data applications.
3. Data Licensing: Data generated through PDC models, including phenotypic data against reference drugs and RNAseq data, is made available under non-exclusive license for applications including machine learning, biomarker seeking, and verification. Non-exclusive access under standard terms and conditions.
4. PredictRx Platform Licensing: Exclusive license to Dominion Biotech for the PredictRx personalised cancer screening service. Inaphaea receives 50% share of global net revenues from the service. Both parties share ownership of new PDCs developed. Initial agreement term of 2 years with annual renewal and buyout provisions after 18 months.
5. Asset Evaluation and Development Services: Hybrid evaluation and development programmes for oncology drug candidates from third parties (e.g., Stingray Bio, McGill/IRICoR). Services include PDC-based in-vitro assays combined with in-silico modelling. Evaluation results are jointly owned, with licensing pathways and milestone payments generating potential long-term revenue through equity stakes and royalty/milestone payments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Inaphaea BioLabs is a translational contract research organisation that delivers bespoke cell-based assay services and patient-derived cell (PDC) products for oncology and women's health drug discovery. Its core service portfolio includes cancer cell assays, cell population analysis (flow cytometry/FACS), cell proliferation and viability assays (2D and 3D), and immunoassays, all performed using a proprietary biobank of 470+ PDC models across 66 cancer indications. The offering is extended through an integrated partner network covering biological modelling, formulation development, enzyme assays, AI toxicity prediction, liver cell assays, and tissue-based analysis.

Product overview

Inaphaea BioLabs is a translational contract research organization offering a unified platform of cell-based assays specializing in oncology and women's health. The core offering centers on Patient Derived Cells (PDCs) biobank with over 470 models representing 66 cancer types, available as both testing services and assay-ready reagents. The portfolio includes Cancer Cell Assays, Cell Population Analysis (flow cytometry/FACS), Cell Proliferation and Viability Assays, and Immunoassays, complemented by a BioBank Data licensing programme. The platform is extended through strategic capability partnerships: Biological Modelling with Physiomics, Formulation Development with Agility Life Sciences, Enzyme Assays with Inspiralis, AI Toxicity Prediction with Ignota Labs (TOXSCAPE, CELLSCAPE, GENESCAPE), In-Vitro Liver Cell Assays with DefiniGEN, and Tissue Based Analysis with HistologiX. Additional offerings include the PredictRx personalized cancer screening platform and advanced 3D microfluidic models for precision oncology research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PredictRx: Personalised cancer screening service using patient-derived cells (PDCs) to identify optimal drug combinations for individual cancer patients.

Products and services

• Patient Derived Cells (PDCs) Biobank of 470+ patient-derived cell models grown in-vitro directly from patient tumours, available in both 2D and 3D options with RNAseq data for select cell lines spanning 66 oncology disease indications. Cells can be deployed in Inaphaea's services or licensed to customers for use in their own facilities as Assay Ready Reagents (ARR).
• Cancer Cell Assays Validated cancer cell assays covering cell proliferation (IC50/IC90), cell metabolism, cytotoxicity, apoptosis markers, chequerboard synergy assays, and chemotherapy-resistant cell line development, conducted against commercially available APIs for pharma and biotech drug discovery customers.
• Cell Population Analysis Flow cytometry and FACS assays profiling cell populations including cell cycle, viability, apoptosis, surface or intracellular protein expression, with FACS sorting available for downstream analysis.
• Cell Proliferation and Viability Assays Portfolio of viability and proliferation assays for 2D monolayers and 3D spheroid models, including metabolic activity (MTT, MTS, XTT, resazurin/Alamar Blue), ATP quantification (CellTiter-Glo), membrane integrity (LDH release, dye exclusion), nuclear staining (Hoechst, DAPI), mitochondrial function (JC-1, TMRE/TMRM, Calcein-AM), DNA synthesis (BrdU/EdU), and high-content imaging readouts.
• Immunoassays Custom immunoassay development for measuring hormones or cytokines released by cells under stimulation, and measurement of cellular activity or proliferation on hormonal stimulation, specialising in women's health applications.
• Assay Ready Reagents (ARR) Ready-to-assay vials of patient-derived cells that customers can use directly in their own laboratories for assays without the need for in-house cell growth, shipped globally under license with technical support.
• BioBank Data Licensing

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% establishment success rate for ovarian PDC models from malignant ascites
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• McGill University / IRICoRmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026Nine-month Evaluation and Material Transfer Agreement for second-generation, orally available RNA Helicase inhibitor. Inaphaea leading comprehensive evaluation including patient-derived cell models and digital-twin studies. Evaluation completed four months ahead of schedule. ValiRx exercised option to negotiate exclusive licence to NewCo for exploitation, development and commercialisation. Estimated £150,000 initial pre-clinical work with up to £2M seed funding.
• Amply Discovery LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 October 2025Multi-phase service contract evaluating AMPLY's developmental siRNA targets in Inaphaea's triple negative breast cancer PDCs. Second phase completed with balancing payment of approximately £31,000 received. UK Research and Innovation subsequently awarded £250,000 grant to Open University partner for in-silico spheroid modelling platform using Inaphaea's PDCs.
• Apis Assay Technologies LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 October 2025Agreement to evaluate APIS's HER2 targeting Clickmer, based on APIS's novel modified aptamer technology, for characterising HER2 expression on Inaphaea's PDCs. Technology also being applied to CytoLytix's oncolytic peptide platform to selectively target HER2 positive cancer cells including breast and ovarian cancer.
• TwinEdge BiosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Collaboration agreement for digitising Inaphaea's PDC models as part of TwinEdge's drive to create one of the world's largest populations of digital patient avatars. Enables in-silico drug testing at scale, biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and accelerated clinical trial design. First four ovarian PDCs successfully digitised with QC exceeding standards.
• Cellomatics LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2025Six colorectal cancer PDC models transferred to Cellomatics Ltd under an Evaluation Use Agreement. Inaphaea continues genomic characterisation of the models through low-pass sequencing.
• Blue Ribbon Bio LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2025Inaphaea providing pivotal support for development of Blue Ribbon Bio, a ValiRx subsidiary dedicated to prostate cancer therapeutics. Services include patient-derived prostate cancer models, advanced 3D culture systems, and translational testing expertise for Val201 peptide and next-generation prostate cancer portfolio.
• Stingray Bio LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 202512-month evaluation and development programme for kinase-targeting oncology drug candidates. In-silico lead optimisation combined with in-vitro PDC assays. Investment capped at £100,000. Joint ownership of evaluation results. Licensing pathway option for ValiRx to increase ownership to 75% upon IND-enabling study completion.
• Dominion Biotech LtdcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 6 August 2025Exclusive licence agreement for PredictRx personalised cancer screening service. Inaphaea receives 50% of global net revenues. Both parties share ownership of new PDCs developed. 3K Screen Programme collaboration identifying ~250 promising drug repositioning candidates. Agreement for 2 years with annual renewal and buyout provisions.
• The Open UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Knowledge Transfer Voucher (KTV) awarded to enhance 3D tumour model analytics through advanced imaging and machine learning. Project running August 2025 to September 2026. Focuses on confocal microscopy of tumouroid models and CONDOR simulations to model spheroid behaviour. Also collaborating on neuroendocrine prostate cancer characterisation of up to 12 PDC lines. Co-sponsoring PhD studentship on epigenetic vulnerabilities of neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
• Nottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Material Transfer Agreement securing a pipeline of new PDC models, prioritising ovarian, breast, lung, and prostate cancers. Models paired with matched plasma, blood, and ascitic/pleural fluids collected under full ethical approval and commercial-use consent. Samples applied to advanced 3D models for immune system engagement studies.
• BioRep (Sapio Group)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 October 2024Co-marketing agreement with Italian biobanking service provider to provide Inaphaea's high throughput drug screening services and PDCs to BioRep's network of clients across mainland Europe. BioRep provides backup samples storage, logistic services, and molecular biology services.
• BioReperiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2024Evaluation and commercial use agreement with Swedish CRO for use of Inaphaea's PDCs in BioReperia's unique in vivo ZTX (Zebrafish Tumor Xenograph) platform. Enables commercialisation of the biobank through the in vivo model ecosystem.
• DLOC Biosystems Holdings LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2024Agreement to provide PDCs for evaluation and commercial use in DLOC's state-of-the-art organ-on-a-chip technology. Initially focuses on establishment of up to four glioblastoma and one triple negative breast cancer in-vitro 3D tumour models for commercial services.
• Spanios LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2024Co-marketing agreement with US CRO to provide Inaphaea's high throughput drug screening services using PDCs as a precursor to Spanios' proprietary Patient Derived Tumoroids (PDT). First co-marketing arrangement for Inaphaea in the US market.
• XenopatminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2024Evaluation and commercial use agreement with Spanish CRO to provide PDCs for use in Xenopat's in vivo Xenograft platform. Provides access to Inaphaea's 470+ PDCs which can be added at any time.
• HistologiXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024GLP/GCP compliant tissue-based analysis services. Specialist histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) including multiplex immunofluorescence (IF), multiplex in situ hybridisation (ISH) using RNAScope, digital pathology and image analysis. Supports biomarker evaluation of cell and gene therapies, oncolytic viruses, therapeutic antibodies, small molecules, and RNA modifying enzymes.
• DefiniGENcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024In-vitro liver cell assay partnership for profiling drug candidates for liver disease and liver toxicity. DefiniGEN provides Opti-HEPs, iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells with functional relevance comparable to human primary cells. Platform enables large-scale generation of hepatocytes for efficacy and toxicology screening. Uses CRISPR/Cas9 to create disease models.
• Nottingham BioresourcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership providing direct access to freshly procured patient tissue and immune cell subsets including PBMCs, T cells, B cells, NK cells, and macrophages. Complements the established biobank of 66 oncology disease indications for viability and proliferation studies.
• Inspiralis LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Enzyme assay services partnership. Inspiralis provides easy-to-use assay kits and contract research services for DNA-modifying enzyme activity including DNA topoisomerases. Services include compound screening (hit identifications), IC50s for hit-to-lead and lead optimisation, mode of action studies, and custom protein production. One of only three companies globally supplying these enzymes.
• Ignota LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023AI toxicity prediction partnership offering world-leading AI tools. TOXSCAPE for off-target toxicity liability prediction, CELLSCAPE for drug target identification from proteome (15,000 targets), and GENESCAPE for mechanism of action/toxicity identification from transcriptional data. Proprietary datasets combining literature and pharma/biotech partner data. Co-development of new oncology assets through data exchange.
• Agility Life SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023Collaboration partner for pre-formulation and formulation development services. Formulation development may be seamlessly integrated into Inaphaea's cell-based services, ensuring molecules are appropriate for Inaphaea's assays and that new formulations remain bioactive. Award-winning formulation development CDMO focused on oral, ocular, intravenous, intranasal, topical, and subcutaneous products.
• PhysiomicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2023Collaboration services agreement for biological modelling and advanced statistical analysis. Data generated by Inaphaea may be seamlessly integrated into Physiomics' modelling capability for advanced data interpretation. Enables clients to access computational biology alongside experimental services through a single representative.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DefiniGEN: Provider of iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells (Opti-Heps) and CRISPR-generated liver disease models for toxicology and efficacy screening. Existing Inaphaea partner but also an adjacent peer in specialised cell-based assay services.
• Crown Bioscience: Preclinical CRO offering an extensive collection of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and patient-derived cell line models with in vitro and in vivo oncology screening services. Directly comparable to Inaphaea's PDC-based translational drug discovery offering for pharma and biotech.
• BPS Bioscience: Specialised CRO offering cell-based assay services, custom assay development and recombinant cell lines for drug discovery. Closely comparable to Inaphaea's cancer cell assays, immunoassays and bespoke assay development offering.
• Champions Oncology: Provides patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and tumour organoid drug discovery services through its Lumin Bioinformatics platform. Competes head-to-head with Inaphaea in translational oncology CRO services for pharma clients.
• Cellomatics: Preclinical CRO providing cell-based assay services including cytotoxicity, proliferation and 3D tumour model testing. Already an Inaphaea distribution partner, making it a direct competitive peer in cell-based assay services.
• Imagen Therapeutics: Cell-based CRO offering high-content imaging assays, patient-derived tumour models and ex vivo drug response testing for pharma. Co-founded by Dr Gareth Griffiths, who now serves as Scientific Consultant to Inaphaea, making it a structurally and technologically close peer.
• Xenopat: Spanish CRO specialising in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) in vivo testing for oncology drug development. Existing Inaphaea partner via a commercial-use agreement for PDC samples, positioning it as a closely comparable preclinical CRO.

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins Discovery: Large, established CRO division of Eurofins offering broad preclinical drug discovery, cell-based assay and ADME-Tox services across multiple therapeutic areas. Overlaps with Inaphaea but at substantially greater scale and broader portfolio.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global CRO providing preclinical oncology, cell-based assay development and safety assessment services. A broad incumbent in the same translational CRO space as Inaphaea but with vastly greater scale and service breadth.

Emerging players

• CytoLytix: Early-stage oncology platform developing oncolytic peptides selectively targeting HER2-positive cancers, including breast and ovarian. Referenced as a collaboration partner to Inaphaea (King's College London connection), placing it as an emerging peer in oncology women's health.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/inaphaea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inaphaea

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Inaphaea BioLabs