Bit Bio

bit.bio (legal entity Bit Bio Ltd., formerly Elpis Biomed) is a Cambridge, UK synthetic biology company that reprograms human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into defined, mature human cell types. Its core technology, opti-ox, is an engineered genetic switch that drives tightly controlled expression of selected transcription factors, enabling homogeneous and efficient differentiation of entire hiPSC cultures into functional cells within days, rather than relying on complex and variable differentiation protocols [1][5].

The company sells research products under the ioCells brand, including ioGlutamatergic Neurons, CRISPR-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons, ioGABAergic Neurons, ioMicroglia (CRISPR-Ready), ioHepatocytes and ioSkeletal Myocytes, targeted at disease modelling, hepatotoxicity screening, drug metabolism studies and high-throughput screening [1]. It also offers cell culture media kits and, as announced in August 2026, a CRISPR-based functional genomics screening service in human cells [0]. In parallel, bit.bio is developing a therapeutic pipeline of txCells. Its lead candidate bbHEP01 is an encapsulated allogeneic induced hepatocyte-like cell product for acute liver failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure, disclosed in November 2023 as preclinical and expected to enter clinical development in 2025 with initial clinical data in 2026. Other disclosed programmes span pancreatic islet cells, GABAergic neurons, and immune cells including myeloid and natural killer cells, addressing metabolism and endocrinology, immunology and neurology [4].

Founding story

bit.bio was founded in 2016 by Dr Mark Kotter as a spinout from the University of Cambridge, where Kotter developed the opti-ox reprogramming technology in his laboratory. The company was previously named Elpis Biomed. The name 'bit.bio' refers to the two fields — coding and biology — that the company frames as determining the identity of every human cell, with bits described as the building blocks of code and cells as the building blocks of life [1][2][5][6].

Business model

bit.bio commercialises its cell coding platform in two ways: selling catalogue research products (ioCells iPSC-derived cell types, CRISPR-ready cell lines and cell culture media kits) to life science researchers, and providing fee-based services such as CRISPR-based functional genomics screening with customisable service options [0][1]. In therapeutics, the company states it intends to balance internally developed programmes with partnered development, citing a collaboration with BlueRock Therapeutics on regulatory T cell therapies [4].

Product sales of iPSC-derived cells, CRISPR-ready cell lines and media kits, plus research services (CRISPR screening); therapeutic programmes are advanced internally or via partnerships/collaborations [0][1][4]. One third-party aggregator estimates annual revenue at $35.3 million, an unverified estimate [7].

Traction

Nine products are listed on a third-party life science product directory with a 4.8/5 rating across four reviews, alongside published articles, resources, webinars and videos [1]. A patent/pipeline database records the company as having 100-250 employees and three disclosed drug programmes, the most advanced (bbHEP01) at preclinical stage [4]. A third-party aggregator lists 228 employees and estimated annual revenue of $35.3 million [7]. Disclosed financing includes a $41.5 million Series A (2020) taking total funding to $50 million, and a $103 million Series B first close (2021) [5][6][7].

Latest developments

In 2026 the company published announcements on its website covering the launch of a CRISPR screening service and the appointment of a Chief Technology Officer (August 2026), commentary on coded cells for research and drug discovery (July 2026), an interview with Lord David Prior on the future of healthcare and drug discovery (July 2026), and the introduction of cell culture media kits described as affordable and easy to use (July 2026) [0].