The ethical mess of animal-derived leather, chronic shortages of donor corneas for transplants, and unreliable cell media are hampering research labs. With its lab-grown leather, injectable corneal gels, and high-performance culture supplements, the Newcastle-based firm offers scalable fixes that sidestep those pain points.
Today, BSF raised £15 million in equity from Blackstone Mercantile Group to accelerate its technology toward paying customers in luxury fashion, vet medicine, and biopharma.
Replacing animal-based products with scalable, cruelty-free alternatives
In 2018, BSF was founded based on Newcastle University’s biotech research. Dr Che John Connon’s extensive expertise in 3D bioprinting human tissues, coupled with the founders’ vision, centres on creating environmentally sustainable and clinically impactful bioengineered materials.
BSF’s Elemental X™ platform enables the production of lab-grown leather from bioengineered cellular structures, offering unparalleled sustainability, traceability, and durability compared to conventional leather. Kerato, their corneal repair subsidiary, develops a biosynthetic injectable cornea gel that mimics donor tissue performance, providing a significant improvement over current transplant options.
Additionally, BSF’s 3D Bio-Tissues offers cutting-edge cell culture media, such as CytoBoost REVIVE, which improves cell viability post-cryostorage by up to 100%.
Competitors in these sectors include Modern Meadow in cultured leather and CorneaGen in corneal treatments, but BSF’s scaffold-free, cell-based technology and strong IP portfolio set it apart in terms of functionality and commercial readiness.
What’s next?
BSF plans to deploy the new funds to launch revenue-generating products in the ultra-luxury fashion sector and expand partnerships with design-led brands. Their roadmap includes the highly anticipated debut of “T-Rex leather,” a biomaterial incorporating prehistoric DNA, showcased in collaboration with branding partners in 2026.
Kerato will advance veterinary regulatory trials for its liquid cornea, while 3D Bio-Tissues will deepen its presence in the multi-million-dollar cryopreservation market.
