Magnitude Biosciences

Durham University

A fast and reproducible system to test compounds for ageing

This Durham University spin-out is helping companies discover and develop new age-related treatments faster.

Magnitude Biosciences provides an automated service to find health-span extending drugs faster and more cost effectively than current approaches.

The company tests on nematode worms, called C. elegans – an established tool in ageing research due. Magnitude Biosciences has developed an innovative ‘healthspan machine’ to monitor large numbers of nematodes under multiple conditions.

Magnitude Biosciences aims to serve the global field of ageing research and drug discovery. Dr David Weinkove, academic founder and CEO, said: “Ageing research is becoming more and more important in understanding conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Our methods could help companies discover and develop new drugs or food additives that could improve the amount of time a person spends living a healthy life.”

C. elegans is a really powerful model for ageing research and with Magnitude Biosciences, we want to bring that power to a wider group of people.

Dr David Weinkove | CEO

Support Recieved from Northern Accelerator

‘Execs into Business’ attracts talented business leaders to the innovative commercial opportunities created and developed in the North East’s universities.

Recruited as Chief Operating Officer, John O’Brien joined the Magnitude team in early 2018, bringing with him commercial expertise and first-hand knowledge of the investment community.

With decades of experience helping small tech companies fulfil their potential, John has worked around the world and is building Magnitude’s global business.

Going from Strength to Strength

Magnitude Biosciences received £150,000 investment from Saker Capital and the North East Innovation Fund, supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and managed by Northstar Ventures.

Since the beginning of 2019, Magnitude has been delivering customer contracts, expanding facilities, and meeting potential customers around the world. At the same time, an exciting new phase of expansion is being planned to ensure that even more research labs can tap into the productivity and repeatability benefits that Magnitude Biosciences brings.

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