Nuclera, a biotechnology company focused on streamlining protein expression and purification processes with its benchtop protein system, has successfully raised $75 million in a new financing round. This funding will help drive the commercialization of Nuclera’s eProtein Discovery™ system, particularly in the US and Europe.

The investment, led by Elevage Medical Technologies, was also supported by Patient Square Capital and included contributions from British Patient Capital, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Jonathan Milner, GK Goh, M&G Catalyst, E Ink Holdings, Michael D. McCreary, Uni Power Group, and Verve Ventures. Taylor Wessing provided legal advice for the transaction. 

Nuclera’s eProtein Discovery system is designed to expedite the protein expression and purification processes in research laboratories, especially those utilizing AI for protein design. It automates construct screening, enabling protein scale-up and the production of milligram quantities of proteins in under 48 hours—significantly faster than traditional methods that can take months or even years. The system integrates digital microfluidics, protein quality assays, and cell-free protein synthesis using specialized cartridges, making it easier to access high-quality proteins at scale, whether through cell-free or cell-based techniques.

This innovative system has already been adopted by contract research organizations (CROs), biotech and biopharma companies, and prestigious academic institutions such as University College London, the University of Cambridge, the University of Southampton, the University of Manchester, The Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) in Belgium, and the CRUK Cambridge Institute.

Dr. Michael Chen, CEO and co-founder of Nuclera, remarked, “This significant investment demonstrates continued confidence in our team, our eProtein Discovery system, and our potential to revolutionize the way proteins are made. This funding will accelerate our mission to provide ready-to-use benchtop protein screening and making tools to empower protein scientists around the world. We are excited to enhance our support for our customers, enabling them to make proteins for drug discovery more efficiently and effectively for many years to come.”

Dr. Michael Wasserman, Chief Operating Officer of Elevage Medical Technologies, added: “Nuclera has developed a solution for one of the leading obstacles in drug discovery: access to proteins that are needed throughout the drug discovery process. The demand for Nuclera’s technology is expanding rapidly, as AI and structural biology continues to drive the pace of new discoveries in life sciences and drug development. Elevage is proud to support Nuclera and its leadership team as it continues to bring the eProtein Discovery System to drug discovery researchers across the globe to address their need for bespoke, rapid and convenient delivery of quality proteins.”

Dr. Jonathan Milner, Chairman of Nuclera’s Board of Directors, founder and former CEO of Abcam, Inc, and CEO of Meltwind Advisory, commented: “The ability to screen multiple protein expression profiles and print purified proteins in as little as 24 hours will revolutionize laboratory workflows and make a demonstrable impact in research and drug discovery timelines. Aligning with Nuclera more closely following my appointment as Chairman of the Board, I am excited as the Company’s pioneering solution continues to be recognized by the industry and demonstrated through this funding round.”