# Pencil Biosciences

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/pencil-biosciences

- Industry: Biotechnology
- Headquarters: Cheshire, UK
- Website: www.pencilbiosciences.com/
- Total disclosed funding: $10M
- Latest round: Seed (Aug 16, 2023)
- Investors on record: 9

## About

Pencil Biosciences Limited is a UK-based biotech firm specializing in innovative gene editing technologies. The company employs a fully synthetic, RNA-guided platform to enhance therapeutic applications, particularly for rare diseases.Pencil Biosciences Limited focuses on developing pioneering gene editing solutions. Founded in 2018 in Cheshire, UK, the firm has undergone strategic pivots to refine its offerings. The company has raised a total of GBP 7.51 million across Seed funding rounds, with the latest deal dated August 16, 2023. The firm was co-founded by Douglas Zazula, Rajik Ibrahim, and Timothy Schulz-Utermoehl, and is currently led by CEO Amanda Smith.Pencil Biosciences Limited specializes in pioneering gene editing technologies through its innovative, fully synthetic, RNA-guided platform. This modular system addresses the limitations of existing gene editing technologies by offering a small, flexible, and non-CRISPR approach, aimed at reducing immunogenicity risks while expanding therapeutic applications for patients with rare diseases. The company's target customer base includes biopharmaceutical firms, research institutions, and healthcare organizations focusing on advanced therapeutics. Their products are actively marketed in North America, Europe, and Asia, where there is a demand for gene editing solutions.Pencil Biosciences generates revenue through collaborations and partnerships with biopharmaceutical companies and research entities seeking to utilize its advanced gene editing technologies. The company engages in B2B transactions, providing tailored solutions through licensing agreements or contract-based research and development services. The revenue structure encompasses multiple pricing arrangements based on the services' complexity and scope, with the company’s flagship offerings contributing to its financial performance through strategic alliances and contracts.Pencil Biosciences Limited intends to utilize the recently raised GBP 7.51 million in Seed funding to further develop its non-CRISPR gene editing platform. The company is focused on expanding its product offerings and plans to enter new markets, specifically targeting regions in Asia and North America by the end of 2024. The funding will support the development of upcoming products designed to enhance treatment options for rare diseases.

## Funding rounds

- Seed, Aug 16, 2023, $9.6M — Catapult Ventures Group, Martlet Capital, SyndicateRoom, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Octopus Investments, O2h Ventures, UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund, Northern Gritstone
- Seed, Dec 11, 2019, $0.7M — Future Planet Capital Regional, Catapult Ventures Group

## Investors

- Future Planet Capital Regional (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/future-planet-capital-regional) — Seed
- Catapult Ventures Group (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/catapult-ventures-group) — Seed
- Martlet Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/martlet-capital) — Seed
- SyndicateRoom (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/syndicateroom) — Seed
- Greater Manchester Combined Authority — Seed
- Octopus Investments (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/octopus-investments) — Seed
- O2h Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/o2h-ventures) — Seed
- UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/uk-innovation-science-seed-fund) — Seed
- Northern Gritstone (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/northern-gritstone) — Seed