Mercia Fund Management backs Bristol University spinout Pertinax Pharma as it begins to scale up the production of its chlorhexidine-based product.
Pertinax Pharma, a dentistry technology spinout from Bristol University’s School of Oral and Dental Science, has raised £400,000 ($574,000) from backers including Mercia Fund Management.
Mercia Fund Management, wholly owned by Mercia Technologies, invests in growth-stage technology companies with a focus on spinouts. An unnamed Bristol alumnus also participated in the round.
Both investors provided £200,000.
Pertinax Pharma is developing a way to increase the efficacy of chlorhexidine-based products that are used in dentistry. The products can kill microbes and bacteria without damaging the healthy contact area.
As the products do not disrupt the microbial cell membrane, there is little chance that a microbe will develop a resistance to them.
Pertinax will put the money towards scaling up its production process and focusing on initial market penetration.
In February 2016, the company was awarded a £489,000 grant from InnovateUK’s Aid for Start-ups following participation in the Icure program. The program supports university researchers in moving their ideas from the lab to commercialisation.
Ashley Cooper, chief executive at Pertinax Pharma, said: “I am looking forward to working with Mercia Fund Management, which has a strong track record of supporting university spinouts across a wide range of sectors.”
Brijesh Roy, investment manager at Mercia Fund Management, said: “With a strong management team and innovative product, Bristol University spinout Pertinax Pharma has the potential to take its product from dental tool to a must-have anti-infective across a wide range of industries, from veterinary care, to cosmetics and even home appliances!”
