Semarion has raised $3.8 million to scale its next-generation cell assay technology and expand manufacturing of its microcarrier platform. 

The company, a University of Cambridge spin-out from the Cambridge Laboratory, will use investment to facilitate commercial expansion and scale manufacturing of its SemaCyte platform, which enables adherent cell models to be handled as assay-ready, barcoded reagents for more flexible, data-rich, scalable drug discovery. 

Semarion is set to focus on broad-scale customer adoption, strengthening partnerships and preparing for its next phase of growth. The funding will be used to drive further commercialisation of the SemaCyte platform, increasing manufacturing throughput and expanding the field application support team. 

The technology has already been adopted by leading global pharmaceutical organisations across the US and Europe, with multiple pilot programmes progressing towards broader commercial rollout. 

The latest funding round was led by Parkwalk and joined by The FSE Group, Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, Oxford Innovation Finance, Found Capital, Cambridge Capital Group, and Start Codon. 

“This funding marks an important step as we scale to meet growing demand from the industry,” said Jeroen Verheyen, CEO and Co-Founder of Semarion.  

“Scientists are under increasing pressure to generate more cell-based data, improve automation and drive operational efficiency. SemaCytes enable them to do this within existing workflows and infrastructure, and we are now focused on translating that momentum into broader adoption.”