The uFraction8 group of companies were founded by Dr Monika Tomecka and Dr Brian Miller. uFraction8 develops microfluidics-based filter systems as a solution to help bio-manufacturers to harvest their products with energy-efficient and scalable bioprocessing systems. This approach of using hydrodynamic phenomena as a new mechanism of filtration can outcompete conventional filters and centrifuges in key areas. uFraction8 follows BioTech and CleanTech trends and focuses on simplifying industrial processes that use cell cultures for the production of food, bio-pharmaceuticals and other bio-based products and chemicals.
uFraction8 is a multi-award-winning company recognised for the innovative technology and highly capable team. Awards have come from prestigious international organizations leading the development of new technologies and impactful research such as Horizon 2020, InnovateUK, European Innovation Council, Nature Publications, The Royal Society of Edinburgh and The institute of Chemical Engineers amongst many others.
uFraction8 has a vision to enable the global transition to sustainable bio-based manufacture to help feed, mobilise and maintain the health of people and ecosystems for the security of our future. To achieve this, uFraction8 will aim to build the most efficient and scalable filtration solutions that have ever existed to solve the problems with harvesting and processing microbial cell cultures, particularly for biopharmaceutical applications. After achieving this, further development and research will explore new applications where microfluidics at scale can solve industrial challenges, such as those in the field of flow chemistry and eliminating microplastics and other areas of waste and resource management.
uFraction8 strives to build a culture around shared values of technological excellence, efficiency, collaboration and community, love for all people, balance and courage. We believe we can do this through being open, honest, respecting diverse views, owning our responsibilities and maintaining effective communication.
FOUNDER / MANAGING DIRECTOR
Dr Brian Miller is one of the original inventors of uFraction8’s technology. Following the successful PhD where the technology was developed, he undertook a Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowship to learn the skills required for commercialisation of the technology. Furthermore, he has a background as a professional engineer and was involved in delivering high value projects in gas turbine control systems in industry.
FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr Monika Tomecka has a PhD with a background in biology, genetics and biomedical research. This gives her insight into the science and operations of uFraction8’s customer segments. She is able to converse at an appropriate level to engage and sell the benefits of uFraction8 technology.
Exerienced in biotech at scale
LEAD ADVISOR
Thomas is a seasoned executive with a strong general business acumen and broad experience in industrial biotechnology. He has a passion for start-ups, innovation and sustainability and developing teams, businesses and solutions that can help make a more sustainable world. He has lived in three continents during his career, working with biotech start-ups (incubator environments and companies) as well as large-scale industrial biotech. He possess professional experience within:
- Innovation, business development and fund-raising
- Process and technology development
- Scale up, pilot manufacturing and plant design
- Large-scale bio-manufacturing
- Optimization and continuous improvements
He has a proven track record for driving long term performance through development and execution of strategies coupled with effective leadership promoting innovation, trust, collaboration and performance in building high performance teams and individuals.
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Associate Professor
TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Researcher with over 20 years of experience in academia, leading projects in microfluidics, water quality testing, algae bioprocessing and cellular therapy manufacture. Multiple industry collaborations along with commercialisation of patented research via the spin-out uFraction8.
Strong communication and engagement skills, developing and delivering the Let's Do Engineering programme to engage young children in engineering, which has currently reached over 4000 children in Scotland. Awards for communication include the Royal Society of Edinburgh Innovator's Prize for Public Engagement (2016) and the Heriot-Watt Experienced Academic PRIME Award (2019).
Policy and advisory work through consultancy projects with e.g. Wood Plc and UKWIR along with a CREW Policy Fellowship. Experienced at relationship building and brokering collaborations, e.g. through workshop organisation and previous roles within knowledge exchange.
Senior Biopharma Executive
Williamson Biotech Solutions
MARKET INTELLIGENCE & PRODUCT LAUNCH
Dr Peter Ball held a series of senior global technical and commercial roles at Pall Corporation (now part of the Danaher group) spanning Research and Development, Strategic Marketing and Business Development within the Life Sciences market space.
Peter's experience spans intellectual property landscape review (as part of technology licensing and acquisition) small company acquisition and post-acquisition integration, new product portfolio planning and product development from ideation to launch. He has worked with a number of early stage start-ups, both whilst at Pall since leaving them to work as a mentor within Panacea Innovation’s accelerator programme.
Peter's technical and market experience covers many aspects of pharmaceutical product manufacturing, particularly bioprocessing, together with Clinical Diagnostics, Drug Discovery Rapid Microbiology and medical devices. He is an enthusiastic, open-minded, technically-knowledgeable and entrepreneurial individual passionate about helping those starting their own company to manage successfully the challenges they face.
Biotechnology Engineer
Hardware Design Engineer
Design Engineer
Project Manager
Assistant Project Manager
Design Engineer
Systems Engineer
Electronics Engineer
