- World-class infrastructure: LifeCellsNI will establish Northern Ireland’s first HTA (Human Applications) licensed stem cell storage and contingency biobank facility.
- Regional gap addressed: The facility will eliminate the need to ship biological samples to mainland UK, reducing cost and regulatory burden.
- Future-ready platform: Designed to support ATMP development, clinical research, and regenerative medicine initiatives.
LifeCellsNI has raised £590,000 in pre-seed funding to establish Northern Ireland’s first dedicated Human Tissue Authority (HTA) licensed stem cell storage and contingency biobank. The investment round was led by The AMP Angel Syndicate, alongside backing from Co-Fund III, managed by Clarendon Fund Managers.
The Derry/Londonderry-based company is developing a fully regulated cryogenic storage and laboratory processing hub designed to operate under strict HTA governance frameworks. Installation of cleanroom facilities is currently underway, with commissioning, validation, and licensing milestones targeted ahead of a 2026 launch.
Addressing a Major Regional Gap
Northern Ireland currently lacks regulated infrastructure for long-term storage of stem cells and therapeutic tissues. This forces patients, clinics, and research institutions to send biological materials to facilities in mainland UK, adding logistical challenges, regulatory hurdles, and increased costs.
LifeCellsNI aims to address this gap by offering HTA-licensed cryogenic storage, controlled laboratory processing within cleanroom environments, secure chain-of-custody systems, compliant cold-chain logistics, and flexible fee-for-service access to laboratory infrastructure. The facility will also provide contingency biobanking services for healthcare providers, universities, and private companies.
Governance, Ethics and Strategic Vision
The company operates with strict governance separation between patient-owned samples and research or commercial materials, ensuring ethical compliance, consent integrity, and ownership protection.
Founder and CEO Catherine King said, “The facility is designed, not only to serve families preserving cord blood, but also to support Health Trusts, Universities and Private Life Sciences Companies requiring compliant storage and processing capability without investing in their own infrastructure.”
She further emphasized the broader impact of infrastructure on innovation, stating, “Infrastructure determines participation. If a region lacks regulated biobanking capability, it limits its ability to engage fully in advanced therapy programmes and regenerative medicine research. We are building that missing piece.”
Looking ahead, the company plans to expand into ethically governed donor cell collection and supply, supporting advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) development and wider cellular research across Ireland.
Experienced Team and Launch Timeline
LifeCellsNI has been incubated within The AMP Growth Incubator ecosystem and supported by regional innovation organizations including Invest Northern Ireland, Founder Labs Pre-Accelerator, HIRANI, and Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Founder Catherine King brings a strong background in healthcare innovation and ecosystem development, having worked closely with clinicians and researchers to strengthen life sciences capabilities in the region.
Dr. Michael Conwell, who holds a PhD in Microbiology, contributes extensive experience in assay development, cytogenetics, and regulated laboratory environments. At LifeCellsNI, he will oversee laboratory governance, HTA licensing preparation, and scientific operations.
Lynda Lynch, a hospital-based midwife with 14 years of experience, is set to join as Lead Phlebotomist, subject to regulatory approval.
LifeCellsNI is expected to officially launch in April 2026, with stem cell storage services commencing in August 2026, marking a significant milestone for Northern Ireland’s life sciences infrastructure.
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