NEW TECH FOODS

Discovery Park, Kent’s life sciences hub, has added two high-growth biotech start-ups to its CoLab innovation space.

MilaK, a precision fermentation company developing animal-free whey proteins, is targeting sports nutrition applications before expanding into infant formula and medical nutrition. Backed by Innovate UK, the company has scaled to seven employees and plans to unveil its first supplement prototype in the coming months.

iLoF, a digital health business specialising in AI-enabled personalised drug development, is initially focusing on alzheimer’s disease. Founded in 2019 and backed by Microsoft Ventures and Hamamatsu Ventures Japan, the company has secured more than $10 million in funding and intends to recruit five additional staff at the Sandwich site by the end of 2025.

Both firms have moved into CoLab, a flexible laboratory and co-working facility operated with Canterbury Christ Church University, offering shared equipment and access to Discovery Park’s 180-strong business community.

MilaK's founder, Milena Hutchings, said: “MilaK is building a platform for functional nutrition to support human health, whilst also being better for the environment. Our new R&D base at Discovery Park gives access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and opportunities to collaborate with other UK biotech innovators."

"This allows the team to accelerate our early-stage research timelines. We’ve been truly impressed by the facilities and ethos at Discovery Park and the support we have received through CoLab, together with Canterbury Christ Church University.”

Mehak Mumtaz, chief operating officer at iLoF, commented: “Our optical technology platform is accelerating medicine towards a new, personalised era, where clinical trials and treatments can be easily matched to the patient. We are growing rapidly, making Discovery Park the perfect fit as our new home, offering flexibility for our next stage of growth. We’re already exploring synergies with other Discovery Park tenants, demonstrating the benefits of being part of this exciting ecosystem.”

Chris Broom, head of business development at Discovery Park, added: "We're delighted to welcome both iLoF and MilaK to CoLab at Discovery Park. These companies represent exactly the kind of innovative, science-led businesses that thrive in our collaborative ecosystem. MilaK's sustainable approach to protein production and iLoF's AI-driven personalised medicine platform both address critical global challenges in health and sustainability. Their presence here strengthens Kent’s position as a leading destination for biotech companies developing technologies to shape our future."