About Bioflares Ltd
Company name: Bioflares Ltd.
Company number: 13312560
Director: Dr. Amit P. Jathoul
Email: customerservices@bioflares.com
Bioflares' Vision:
We hope to catalyse the development of synthetic biomedicine: up to 6 parameter logic revealed in vitro (no cell lysis) or 9 parameter (with lysis) and related 3-4 parameter in vivo in future using multiparametric bioluminescence diagnostics and imaging, respectively
We solve unique sets of problems for our customers in the scientific community and industry by offering the first commercial in vivo preclinical dual colour near-infrared BLI technology for sale and potential for an explosion in the applications of bioluminescence for multiparameter detection and imaging, even clinically. This is primarily a biomedical research acceleration technology based around a chemical compound called infraluciferin (for which Bioflares Ltd holds the patent rights) and novel engineered high activity and multi-wavelength infraluciferase enzymes. This technology has immediate applications in preclinical cancer, stem cell, gene therapy, vaccinology and biological development research both in animals, and in cells, so that in future we can eliminate animal use from science. We also aim to eliminate the use of radiation in human cancer imaging. Biomedicine helps us overcome innumerable diseases and improves the quality of our lives by unravelling how mammalian life is composed and functions, or fixing its faults. Our proprietary non-invasive technology enables scientists and doctors to quickly and easily carry out more complex, clear and accurate bioimaging studies than currently possible in whole living mammals, like simultaneous in vivo testing of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell cancer effectors and targets, or 2-3 types of stem-cells, or 2-3 different genes for gene therapy or vaccine development. Faster and better science requires better navigation through complex biological seas, so for medical adventures in a better world scientists need Bioflares
Thank you for interest in the bioluminescence technologies provided by Bioflares. Below, you can find some information about our Founder and Director, as well as some literature references about infraluciferin and luciferase engineering. In time Bioflares aim to bring you more exciting new products along with lower prices for our existing range. We will be releasing new different infraluciferin analogues (free-acid and esters), new enzymes and kits for biomedical and diagnostic applications
Brief Director Bio: Dr. Jathoul did his Ph.D in Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge (Pembroke College) engineering firefly luciferase (May 2008 Thesis: ‘Activity of firefly luciferase with 6’-amino-D-luciferin’). In postdoctoral work at UCL he engineered enzymes for bioluminescence imaging, invented infraluciferin and developed molecular-genetic tools for photoacoustic imaging (e.g. he invented ‘E2 crimson NF’) . He moved to Cardiff University in July 2014 as a fellow and then lecturer in Biochemistry/ Synthetic Biology until May 2020, when he sought to spin-out Bioflares. Now he works commercialising and developing infraluciferin and luciferin-based technologies, and their applications for Bioflares
The Rest of Our Team:
CSO: Dr Daniel Kirilly
Daniel earned his PhD at University of Kansas Medical Center in the U.S. focusing on stem cell biology. He continued his work on cell and neurobiology in Singapore at the Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory on a Singapore Millennium Foundation fellowship. During his academic career he published in prestigious papers such as Nature Neuroscience and Developmental Cell. A decade ago he ventured into the world of start-ups and spent several years in early companies at the executive and technical levels in Asia.
CTO: Dr Philip Evans
Phil earned his M.Chem (1st Class) and PhD from the University of Salford where he was sponsored by, and worked closely with, the Corus group (Tata). Phil is an industrial chemist and a specialist in functional nano coatings. As a research fellow he published over 20 technical papers before leaning toward technology transfer and process commercialisation via a spin-out company. The business specialised in transfer of technological solutions developed in the lab to full industrial scale processes via technology licensing. Working closely with engineering partners Phil successfully led installation and commissioning teams throughout Europe, Turkey and China. Amit and Phil have been great friends for over 27 years.
CFO: Kevin R Smith MSc
Kevin is the founder and CEO of BOOM & Partners and, after a career working for banks, he has run his own business and finance consultancy firm for 26 years.
With a long and varied career in business and finance he has become increasingly aware of the great number of early stage and mid-sized businesses that have a great story but are missing some vital parts of the jigsaw to make them achieve their true potential.
Board: Dr Meng Han Kuok
MengHan received a BA and Masters in Engineering, followed by a PhD in BioEngineering from the University of Cambridge, where he developed a lab on chip system based on novel biosensors for rapid anthrax detection. This research work resulted in a granted international patent and was developed into a product - the first microfluidic based rapid anthrax test - after winning Spring Singapore Proof-of-Concept and Proof-of-Value grants. During his PhD, he also co-founded Redbite Solutions, an IoT solutions company spun-off from the Cambridge University Institute of Manufacturing.
In 2010, he founded Camtech in Cambridge, UK, to bring forward disruptive innovations in healthcare and research and in 2013 Camtech Diagnostics was started in Singapore to develop and commercialise novel point-of-care diagnostic tests.
He has more than 15 years experience in R&D, entrepreneurship and startup investment and he is passionate about creating leading rapid diagnostic tests to bring the widest benefit to human health in developing countries.
His commercial experience includes technology corporate finance in the internet M&A sector, technology strategy consulting with governments and corporates, advising biotech and early stage venture capital funds, as well as carrying out manufacturing projects with multinational corporations in the biomedical and food industry.
For selected literature references on infraluciferin click here