A company based in Derry has secured £590,000 to create Northern Ireland's initial HTA-licensed stem cell biobank. LifeCellsNI plans to operate the cryogenic storage and processing site at Ebrington Square.

The investment came from The AMP Angel Syndicate, backed by Co-Fund III under Clarendon Fund Managers. Cleanroom work has started, targeting commissioning, testing and approval before a full start in 2026.

Northern Ireland sends stem cells and tissues to facilities in mainland UK for storage due to missing local options. The new hub will offer licensed long-term storage, cleanroom processing, secure transport and shared lab access for clinics, researchers and firms.

LifeCellsNI maintains separate handling for personal samples and commercial uses to protect consent and ownership. Founder Catherine King stated the site will aid families saving cord blood alongside health providers, universities and life sciences businesses.

King added that suitable facilities enable regions to join advanced therapy and regenerative medicine efforts. The company emerged from The AMP Growth Incubator with aid from Invest Northern Ireland, Founder Labs, HIRANI and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

LifeCellsNI aims to add donor cell gathering later to aid therapy products and research across Ireland. The facility opens in April 2026 with storage from August 2026.