Scottish biotech firm Biotangents has secured a significant £2.3 million investment to advance its innovative on-farm diagnostic technology aimed at combating bovine mastitis, a condition that costs the global dairy industry an estimated £20 billion annually. The investment round was led by Eos, a St Andrews-based investment firm, alongside British Business Investments through their Regional Angels Programme, as well as existing investors Kelvin Capital and Scottish Enterprise.
Bovine mastitis poses a major challenge for dairy farmers, with the average UK dairy farm incurring losses of up to £25,000 each year due to the disease. Alarmingly, antibiotics are deemed unnecessary in as many as 40% of mastitis cases, highlighting a critical need for more efficient diagnostic solutions. Biotangents’ technology promises to address this issue by providing farmers with highly accurate diagnostic results in under two hours. The device sends data directly to the farmer’s phone, allowing for timely and informed treatment decisions. This capability not only aids in improving herd health but also enhances productivity and sustainability in dairy farming.
Nicky Deasy, senior agritech adviser and new board member on behalf of Eos, emphasized the potential impact of the technology on animal health and husbandry. Fiona Marshall, CEO of Biotangents, expressed excitement about the upcoming on-farm trials planned for next year, which will take place across the UK and internationally. She highlighted the importance of this technology in leading to better herd health and improved productivity.
Ross McDermid, Chief Commercial Officer at Biotangents, noted that this investment validates their groundbreaking approach and opens the door to a substantial market opportunity that can benefit not just farmers, but also veterinarians and the broader dairy industry. The implications of this technology extend beyond livestock, as Biotangents envisions future applications in human healthcare and environmental monitoring, showcasing its versatility and potential for broader societal impact.
In a related development, Foresight Group has invested in J+S Subsea, a company specializing in subsea control systems, further indicating the robust investment activity in the Scottish tech and biotech sectors. As these companies push the boundaries of technology in their respective fields, the potential for enhanced productivity and sustainability in agriculture and beyond is becoming increasingly tangible.
