Oxford Biotrans Ltd announced today that it has closed £2.5m in Series A funding. The  investment  was  led  by  Imperial  Innovations  with  participation  from  existing  shareholders IP Group plc and the University of Oxford and new investors Oxford Innovations and Technology EIS Fund and De Monchy Aromatics.

The company was incorporated to commercialise new routes to high-­‐value speciality chemicals  based  on  its  patented  enzyme  technology.  The  first  product  is  natural  grade nootkatone, the flavour and scent of grapefruit, which has already created strong market interest and will be available in commercial quantities in the coming months.  For  the  next  phase  of  its  development,  Oxford  Biotrans  has  already  identified several further high-­‐value flavour product targets for its technology and plans  to  realise  further  scalable,  ‘green’,  and  economically  attractive  enzymatic  processes for production of these new targets. Work will also commence to explore targets in other market segments.

Jason  King,  CEO  of  Oxford  Biotrans  said:    “With  this  new  investment  we  shall  establish purpose built facilities and build a high quality team, the first key members of  which  are  already  lined  up  to  come  on  board.  With  these  resources  we  shall  deliver more novel processes more quickly and pursue a more aggressive and comprehensive monetisation of our technology’s full potential.”

Robert Bahns, Director Technology Ventures at Imperial Innovations, added: “Oxford Biotrans  has  the  potential  to  become  a  significant  player  in  the  high  growth,  Industrial Biotechnology industry, so we are delighted to lead this round which will help  the  Company  to  deliver  commercial  quantities  of  its  first  product  as  well  as  build a pipeline of new ones.”

Will  Barton,  Chairman  of  Oxford  Biotrans  said:  “The  closing  of  this  oversubscribed  investment round represents a significant endorsement of our vision for the Company by our original investors and by our two new investors and we thank them for  their  strong  support.  With  the  exciting  talent  that  this  investment  is  already  enabling us to attract, we shall be well set to deliver on our shareholders' expectations.”