Life sciences automation company Automata has raised US$50m (£36.9m) in Series B funding, which will enable the roll out of its diagnostics and drug discovery solutions across the UK, and beyond.
According to the Automata, its technology enables scientists to shorten turnaround times by scaling capacities, and lab technicians can therefore spend more time on analyse – which also leads to cost reductions.
Automata’s systems have been successfully utilised by NHS pathology labs to help them meet diagnostic backlogs and upscale capacity. One of these labs is running 40 fully automated stations 24/7.
Scientists who have used Automata Labs report that they are able to achieve consistently accurate results faster, and on a larger scale, than before.
Automata is also currently advising and deploying automation with contract research organisations, research labs and blue chip healthcare institutions.
Mostafa ElSayed, Automata’s CEO, said: “I’m really excited at how this funding will take us on the next stage of our successful journey. At Automata we have always believed in the power of automation to support a variety of uses especially when deployed at scale.
“We are thrilled to see our users adopt automation at a scale that transforms their ability to deliver more innovation in the life sciences to ultimately accelerate their pursuit of progress.
“For far too long scientists and clinicians have been having to work with overly complex lab solutions: equipment and software are disjointed and difficult to orchestrate, while solutions are often too rigid and inappropriate for labs with small geographic footprints. Our next generation technology solves this.”
The investment round was led by Octopus Ventures with participation from returning investors Hummingbird, Latitude Ventures, ABB Technology Ventures, Isomer Capital as well as strategic investors such as In-Q-Tel, amongst others.
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