The story and science behind iBiotech

About us

HISTORY

Rooted in a region build on making things

iBiotech was established in 2021 and is based in the West Midlands, U.K. — a region long known for hard work and innovation. Arthur Young, the 18th-century writer, once described local Birmingham as “the first manufacturing town in the world.” That same transformative spirit defined neighbouring Wolverhampton, leading 19th-century ironmaster and Mayor George Benjamin Thorneycroft to declare that the town was “not behind any town in the kingdom for its skill, its industry, and the extent of its manufactures.” Together, these roots of industrial mastery pave the way for the region’s modern scientific breakthroughs.

We’re a novel company in this field: we use no artificially modified organisms, and our fundamental principle is the use of sustainable biomaterials. We hope our focus on academic research and putting nature first — rather than synthetic shortcuts — will set a new trend for modern biotech. Biotechnology doesn’t always have to involve labs either, and we work directly with companies, offering advice and prototype materials to boost productivity.

WHAT IS BIOTECHNOLOGY?

Working with what nature has already given us

Biotechnology is essentially the application of living organisms — from microbes to the domestication of animals — to help improve our world. It’s the use of biological organisms or processes by industries to learn more about the science of life.

Through bioinformatics, biochemical engineering, formulation and fermentation, we’ve helped existing businesses become more sustainable and greener. Our research emphasises systems approaches, using and building on existing knowledge rather than looking toward genetic modification

OUR JOURNEY

Traction

Key funding, awards, research milestones and collaborations that have shaped iBiotech since 2021.

COMPANY

iBiotech Ltd established

Company registered, foundation for the business.

Aug. 2021

Sep. 2022

COMPANY

Trading commenced

Trading commenced, following Innovate UK Transformative Technologies support and angel investment. Moved into an industrial unit in Wolverhampton.

Grant

2023 — eKipa – Sustainable Solution Award

Initial grant supporting programme entry and early business development. First significant external validation of the bioleather proposition.

Jul. 2022

Jan. 2023

IP support

Innovate UK EDGE — small grant 

IP audit support following a £500 contribution from iBiotech. Helped strengthen the company’s approach to intellectual property protection.

Prize / grant

Santander / Enterprise Nation – Small Grant

Semi-finalist prize/grant following progression through the Santander programme.

Jan. 2023

Mar. 2023

Biomaterials

University of Birmingham – AMTECCA – Grant

Supported development of a specialist extrusion head for 3D printing biomaterials.

Award

eKipa – Sustainable Solution Award

Cash award and second-place finalist recognition; included collaboration with Essity. Strengthened international sustainability network.

May. 2023

May 2023

Testing

University of Birmingham – ARLI – Small Grant

Independent tensile-strength analysis and comparison of iBiotech’s bioleather with conventional leather materials.

Major award

Innovate UK Transformative Technologies – Grant

Major technology development award. £29,000 received to date according to the internal record. Supported development of a bio-chamber, increased material growth and laboratory formulation trials.

Jun. 2023

Aug. 2023

Competition

Sky’s the Limit — Small Grant

International sustainability competition supported by US investors. Funding contributed towards equipment for iBiotech’s Wolverhampton facility.

Recognition / funding

Innovate UK – Sustainable Biomaterials

Further Innovate UK recognition/funding associated with sustainable biomaterials development.

Aug. 2023

Sep. 2023

Research collaboration

Parkinson’s research collaboration – University of Milan

Applied iBiotech’s biotechnology expertise to sustainable polymer research linked to Parkinson’s disease. A University of Milan researcher completed a six-month placement in Wolverhampton.

Dec. 2023

Collaboration

Innovate UK / FlexSea – Grant

Collaboration around seaweed valorisation and biomaterials. Infrastructure included equipment with potential wider application to bioleather production.

Dissemination

University of Wolverhampton – Innovate UK dissemination

iBiotech represented among local SME Innovate UK project winners at a University of Wolverhampton dissemination event.

Dec. 2023

Apr. 2024

Recognition

Enterprise Nation – Small Grant

Further grant support, demonstrating continued external recognition and progression of the business.

Export support

Heathrow / FSB Export Support – Small Grant

Export-focused funding/support received, helping prepare iBiotech for international commercial engagement.

May 2024

Oct. 2024

Award

Green Apple Awards – Winner

Bioleather project recognised for its sustainability impact.

Award

Black Country Chamber of Commerce – Highly Commended, Start-up of the Year

Recognition of iBiotech’s contribution to the regional business and innovation ecosystem.

Nov. 2024

Nov. 2024

Innovation

Tech Supply Chain Birmingham – Innovation of the Year

iBiotech reached finalist/third-place recognition, further demonstrating technology and innovation credentials.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure development

iBiotech continued to develop its work while making use of sub-letting arrangements for specialist laboratory space and equipment, demonstrating resource-efficient growth.

Dec. 2024

Publication

Q1 research publication

Parkinson’s-related research resulted in publication in a respected scientific journal, providing independent academic validation.

2025 Q1

Apr. 2025

Conference award

Synuclein 2025 – Cambridge University poster award

iBiotech-associated Parkinson’s research received a prestigious poster award at an international scientific conference attended by leading experts.

Recognition

Parkinson’s UK recognition

Research received public recognition from Parkinson’s UK, increasing the profile of iBiotech’s biomedical research activity.

Apr. 2025

Jan. 2025

Major collaboration

Manchester Prize / GREEN LOOPS collaboration

iBiotech participated in a University of Wolverhampton-led GREEN LOOPS project addressing solar-panel waste, AI and circular materials. Internal records attribute approximately £20,000 of a £100,000 shared funding package to iBiotech.

Solar recycling

GREEN LOOPS solar recycling project

Collaboration with the University of Wolverhampton and international partners explored biotechnology/AI approaches to recovering value from end-of-life solar panels.

Sept. 2025

2025–26

International expansion

International expansion and partnerships

Development of collaborations including European partners and ABCircular in Berlin, supporting potential future processing of solar-panel waste materials.

Project conclusion

GREEN LOOPS project concluded

iBiotech’s involvement in the funded solar-recycling project concluded. The company does not claim ownership of the project’s IP or licensing.

Mar. 2026

Apr. 2026

Commercial scale-up

Bioleather commercial scale-up

Continued development of the patented/proprietary bioleather process, including exploration of larger-scale production, brewery partnerships and commercial applications.