Northern Gritstone invests in Pencil Biosciences, developer of novel gene editing and modulation technology

Pencil Biosciences is developing a fully synthetic gene modulation and editing platform that will have impact across a wide range of applications, including new therapeutic options for patients with rare diseases and cancer.

Northern Gritstone has invested in Pencil Biosciences, the developer of a novel gene modulation technology based on a next generation platform which aims to transform the gene editing landscape as applied to therapeutics and industrial biotechnology, as part of a £5.6 million Seed financing round alongside Octopus Ventures and Martlet Capital.

Existing investors, including the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Life Science Fund managed by Catapult Ventures, UKI2S, Jonathan Milner (Meltwind), o2h Ventures participated in the round, with additional support from SyndicateRoom’s Access (a data-driven super angel fund).  

Based in Alderley Park, Cheshire, Pencil Biosciences was founded in 2019 by Dr Rajik Ibrahim, Dr Timothy Schulz-Utermoehl and Dr Martin Quibell. Now led by CEO Dr Amanda Smith, primary Founder and CTO Dr Rajik Ibrahim and Chair Dr Jon Moore, Pencil Biosciences will be deepening and widening the capabilities of its proprietary editing and modulation technology, which is modular in design, non-CRISPR in composition and significantly smaller than any Cas-based gene editing technologies.

Pencil’s technology will be utilised across a range of applications, providing new therapeutic options for patients with cancer, genetic and rare diseases. The technology also has potential for the treatment of infectious disease, novel diagnostics, and innovation in agriculture and cell line engineering.

Amanda Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Pencil Biosciences, said: “Our ambition is to develop a truly innovative and unique gene modulation technology that catalyses innovation across a range of applications, including new therapeutic options for patients with rare diseases and cancer. This investment brings us closer to achieving our goals.”

Oliver Sims, Investor at Octopus Ventures, said: “Octopus are really excited to back Pencil Biosciences and their experienced team to deliver the next generation technology for gene editing. There is huge potential in the technology to impact therapeutics, research tools and industrial applications all of which are key areas for investment under Octopus Ventures’ Bio thesis.”

Duncan Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at Northern Gritstone, said: “Led by our philosophy of 'profit with purpose', we aim to back people and ideas that are changing the world, and there are few better sectors in which we can do that than biotechnology. In this sector, Pencil is a fantastic example of the exciting new generation of science and technology businesses emerging and scaling in the North of England, and we look forward to working with Amanda and her team as they progress with the development of their innovative technology platform which has the potential to transform treatment provided to patients with rare diseases.”