Medcotec has raised more than £2.4 million to commercialize Helyx, a single-use powder transfer valve designed to address contamination, blockage, cleaning, and production challenges faced by pharmaceutical manufacturers and other companies handling powdered materials. The financing includes investment from NPIF II – Mercia Equity Finance, managed by Mercia Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, alongside LYVA Labs, the Liverpool City Region Seed Fund managed by AXM Venture Capital, and private investors.
The Daresbury-based company is already working with a major pharmaceutical company and other manufacturers using powder-processing systems. Medcotec plans to use the funding to conduct additional trials, bring Helyx to market, and expand its workforce.
Helyx was developed as an alternative to traditional split-butterfly powder transfer valves. Conventional systems contain a disk in the center of the valve where powder can accumulate, potentially creating blockages and contamination risks.
Medcotec’s design instead uses a “full bore” structure with no central obstruction restricting material flow. The company said the valve keeps the powder contained, can withstand high pressures, and is designed for single use, removing the need to clean stainless steel systems between manufacturing runs.
The technology is particularly focused on pharmaceutical manufacturing, where increasingly potent ingredients and shorter production runs can make contamination control and equipment changeovers more important. The source estimates that production failures cost the global pharmaceutical industry approximately £9 billion annually.
Medcotec was founded by CEO Emerson Mulvaney, who has more than 20 years of leadership experience in medical, bioscience, and technology businesses, and Mike Taitt, the co-founder and former CEO of EZE Talk and Money Saver Telecom Group.
The company currently employs four people and expects to create another four jobs during the next 12 months.
KEY QUOTES:
“Current powder transfer systems are often based on 20-year-old technology. It is almost impossible to avoid some level of contamination and as ingredients become more potent, the risks grow. Blockages and contamination can also cause costly production outages. With its unique design, our valve could be a gamechanger for the industry. The funding will allow us to bring it to market.”
Emerson Mulvaney, CEO Of Medcotec
“The pharmaceutical landscape is changing – the rules on contamination are tightening, and companies are increasingly doing shorter production runs. Medcotec solves some of their key pain points.”
Robert Hornby, Mercia Ventures
“This investment, led by Mercia Ventures, will enable them to take their product to market and grow their business in Liverpool City Region.”
Lorna Green, CEO Of LYVA Labs
