Qkine’s platform technology enables a wide range of bioscience R&D and manufacturing worldwide. With tailored business growth and scaleup support from Innovate UK, the company has launched 27 new products, almost tripled its workforce, grown its customer base by almost 400%, increased turnover by around 150% and expanded into 35 countries.

Qkine’s technology helps scientists at every stage of their work, from early experiments in the lab to developing new products and moving into full-scale manufacturing. Its growing range of products includes specialised proteins for stem cell and organoid research, along with attachment factors that support cell growth. These products are already being used in areas such as regenerative medicine, cultivated meat and dairy, organ-on-a-chip technology (miniature devices that mimic the functions of human organs) and 3D bioprinting.

Protein purity is at the heart of Qkine’s innovation. In fields like stem cell and regenerative medicine, even tiny differences in protein quality can disrupt research and hold back progress. Impure or inconsistent batches can waste valuable time and resources. By producing proteins of exceptional purity, that consistently meet high quality standards, Qkine ensures scientists get repeatable and reliable results, helping them move research forward faster and with greater confidence.

Dr Luana Ferrara, Head of R&D and Collaborations at Qkine, says: “By providing scientists with consistent, high-quality proteins, we give them the confidence to push their research further. This not only speeds up discoveries but also helps promising ideas, in areas like regenerative medicine and sustainable food, reach real-world applications sooner.”

Strengthening innovation and intellectual property

When Qkine first worked with Innovate UK Business Growth in 2021, the company was looking at ways to expand into international markets. A detailed needs assessment conducted by an innovation and growth specialist, recommended that Qkine first focus on building stronger IP protections and clear product development milestones.

As Qkine’s growth gathered pace, it was referred to Innovate UK’s Scaleup Programme in 2023. This form of support is reserved for innovative companies demonstrating the highest growth and scaling potential.

When Qkine joined the Scaleup Programme, it benefited from the collective experience of the scheme’s scaleup directors who provide a matrix of skills and connectivity across domains such as finance, M&A, international markets, IP, supply chains and scale up leadership. These skills are applied strategically, to an agreed plan, making sure that parallel activities happen on time to deliver the end objective in the most effective manner.

In the case of Qkine, the Scaleup team identified two technical priorities to unlock its next stage of growth and expand internationally: scaling up its manufacturing and operations, underpinned by a further strengthening of its IP strategy. In parallel they would need to consider commercial brand and marketing strategies to ensure that as technical improvements were made, the news of these always reached their target customer base.

Through Scaleup Programme coaching, Qkine first reviewed how it safeguarded its knowledge, strengthening its trade secret and know how protection methods. It also explored the potential for patents, identified and adopted ISO standards and industry accrediations, and secured funding to expand its trademarks via the Scaleup Growth Fund (available to selected clients on the Innovate UK Scaleup Programme). An Inngot IP asset financing assessment, conducted by NatWest, gave the company a better understanding of the value of its intangible assets. The recommended training for its R&D team also improved awareness of innovation pathways and encouraged a culture of continuous development.

Dr Ferrara explains: “The support from the Scaleup Programme has been critical in accelerating our strategic growth. Thanks to their guidance and collaboration, we have now submitted our first patent application and are expanding our IP portfolio with an additional trademark registration underway.”

Scaling up with high-quality manufacturing

Once its IP position was stronger, the next step was to scale up production. Qkine needed to move beyond small-scale research and introduce, repeatable, reliable and robust manufacturing processes to keep up with demand.

Ian Sterrit and Chirs Price-Jones, two of the scaleup directors who closely supported the Qkine team, helped it refine its production processes, and identified process improvements to create a clear separation between research and manufacturing. A food-grade HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) system was also introduced for its cellular agriculture range – a major step that opened up a new market for Qkine. By adopting the same technical language widely used in the food industry, it could pursue new opportunities such as launching proteins produced to food safety standards. These are now being used in areas where protein production volumes will be significantly larger, such as cultivated meat, fish, fat and dairy.

Building international presence in the US and beyond

With its platform innovation and manufacturing capability strengthened, Qkine was ready to expand internationally. Continually collaborating with scaleup directors, the team defined its US market entry strategy, including evaluating third party and partner logistics.

In 2024, the company joined the Engineering Biology and Industrial Biotechnology Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) to the USA, delivered by Innovate UK Business Growth. Now, the parallel commercial brand and marketing work mentioned earlier achieved a particular impact, leading with the message about quality.

The GBIP gave Qkine access to senior figures in US industry, improved its understanding of key decision makers and helped it run a successful LinkedIn and email campaign to potential clients on the West Coast. Its impactful collateral also helped it to gain traction at international conferences including the ISSCR (International Society of Stem Cell Research).

David Cavanagh, Head of Manufacture and Oprerations at Qkine, reflects: “The GBIP was invaluable. It gave us direct access to US industry leaders and helped us refine our strategy for entering such a competitive market. The connections we made have laid the groundwork for potential partnerships with companies and research centres in the US.”

Impact with national and global reach

Since working with Innovate UK Business Growth, Qkine has increased turnover by around 150%, rising from £852,000 to £2.1 million. It has expanded its international reach from 23 to 35 countries and grown its customer base by almost 400%, from 28 to 138. Its team has almost tripled in size, rising from 12 to 35 employees, while its product portfolio has expanded by a further 27 products and 10 kits now sold worldwide.

Qkine’s growth is creating high-value jobs in the UK, strengthening local manufacturing and bringing in revenues from international markets. Its animal-free proteins and food-grade processes also support sustainability goals and provide vital components for fast-growing sectors, such as regenerative medicine and cultivated food.

Dr Ferrara concludes: “Overall, the Scaleup Programme has been a catalyst for progress, helping us strengthen our innovation pipeline and position our business for long-term impact. It has given us the clarity and confidence to take bold next steps in our growth journey.”

…the Scaleup Programme has been a catalyst for progress, helping us strengthen our innovation pipeline and position our business for long-term impact.

Dr Luana Ferrara, Head of R&D and Collaborations at Qkine