Aramune Technologies has raised £800,000 of new equity funding to develop an industrial-scale process for manufacturing its first product.

The Queen’s University Belfast spinout is developing natural, plant-derived feed materials which can be mixed with standard animal feeds to replace antimicrobial agents and promote growth.

Its venture is supported by a syndicate of investors which includes QUBIS, the commercialisation arm of Queen’s University, Co-Fund NI (managed by Clarendon Fund Managers), the QUBIS Innovation Fund (managed by Sapphire Capital Partners) and a local private investor.

Commenting on the completion of the seed round Ashley Cooper, CEO, said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding from local investors who are committed to supporting Queen’s spin-out ventures and the local economy.

“With this funding we are now well placed to rapidly exploit the very many commercial applications of our proprietary Aramune compound.”

Commenting on the investment, Stuart Gaffikin, investment manager from Clarendon Fund Managers said:

“We are delighted to be able to invest into Aramune Technologies and back its experienced management team as part of this seed investment round.

“We look forward to playing our role in supporting the company as it develops and commercialises its natural, plant-based products for use in animal health and nutraceuticals.”

QUBIS corporate finance manager Oisin Lappin added: “Aramune is an exciting new spinout venture that has emerged from the Queen’s Institute of Global Food Security and we are delighted to support the team as it begin its commercialisation journey.”

The Belfast company is developing multiple applications for its patented plant compounds that can benefit animal and human health.

The unique approach boosts the immune system, increasing natural resistance to bacterial infection, which in turn should minimise the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals and humans.

The proceeds will enable the business to field cultivate its source plants, industrially scale its compound extraction procedures and undertake more commercial trials.

Brian Green, chief scientific officer of Aramune Technologies, said:

“This investment is a vote of confidence in the commercial potential of our research, and it follows on from Aramune’s recent successes.

“In 2021 we won £300,000 of funding from Innovate UK and were Regional winners of the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn investor readiness competition.”