Ryan Cawood Kickstarts New MedTech Venture Lab Thread with £750k Investment

Ryan Cawood, renowned for the £100m exit of OXGENE in 2021, has launched Lab Thread, a new venture focused on revolutionizing laboratory data management. Founded in 2011, OXGENE, a biotechnology company backed by Mercia, became one of the UK's fastest growing companies before its sale to WuXi Advanced Therapies for approximately £100m. Lab Thread, co-founded with Deyan Sultov, aims to provide cost-effective software solutions for managing complex research data and has successfully raised £750,000 from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II through fund manager Mercia Ventures. Headquartered in Silverstone, Lab Thread plans to fill a market gap with an integrated platform that encompasses advanced DNA visualization tools, inventory management, and project management, addressing the inefficiencies of current software solutions. By offering an all-encompassing, user-friendly platform, Lab Thread intends to streamline laboratory workflows and data sharing. Cawood's longstanding relationship with Mercia continues in this venture, as the funding will propel the development and commercialization of Lab Thread's platform.