Revivocell Ltd develop and manufacture new devices to be used in bio-technology research.

Based in Lancaster, the business was established by Dr Valon Llabjani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer and Valmira Hoti, Chief Operations Officer in 2015 as a spin-out from Lancaster University. Valon originates from Kosovo and came to the UK in 1999 as a refugee from war.

Valon established the business having spent many years using poorly designed equipment to carry out research. His plan was to produce laboratory devices that would allow users to grow human cells in a laboratory environment that replicate human tissue conditions, better for drugs testing or to understand the human body. The technology aims to improve on the already known petri dish/multi-well plate approach of growing cell cultures and reduce the reliance on animal testing.

Valon knew that he had a great idea, but without securing Intellectual Property (IP) he felt that commercialisation of the project was at risk. Valon needed to develop a prototype and he approached the Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund for help.

Valon said: “I had designed several prototypes using a 3D printer to begin manufacture of the cell structures, but needed higher quality models to establish the most effective method for future manufacture.

“Without this crucial work, I would not be able to validate the device further in material and design that closely resembles final product, and secure IP on the product and start supplying research facilities.”