Overview
Founded in 2013 in Brussels, Univercells develops bioprocess intensification systems for the pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing industry. The company's technology concentrates and simplifies upstream bioprocessing, enabling smaller manufacturing footprints, lower capital costs, and faster production cycles for viral vectors, vaccines, and biologics.
Univercells has reached Scale-Up Stage and serves clients in both established pharma companies and newer mRNA and cell-gene therapy manufacturers. Its bioprocess platforms are particularly relevant for low- and middle-income country vaccine manufacturing, where smaller, cheaper facilities can improve access to production capacity.
The Brussels base and the company's trajectory connect it to the Belgian biotech ecosystem alongside Quantoom Biosciences in Wallonia and Ziphius Vaccines in Ghent, forming a notable RNA and bioprocess technology cluster.
Media & appearances
- The HarbourYouTubeHAROLD MENNEN (TCD Capital) over hoe VC fondsen de truken van de foor kennenTCD helped keep 30% of shares in Belgian hands, anchoring a €90M production facility in Jumet after the founders had been fundraising in India.
Stated facts & numbers
- In the Univercells deal, 30% of shares were kept in Belgian hands, anchoring a €90 million production facility investment in Jumet. (0:56:09, The Harbour 2024-04-25)
Funding & milestones
5 events found for Univercells · 2019–2022
Debt1 source€20M
Reported amount €20,000,000
EIB announces a signed €20m venture loan at the October 3 public signing event.
ParticipantsEuropean Investment BankSeries c first closeVenture / equity1 source€50M
Reported amount €50,000,000
Investor post datelined September 16 confirms EUR 50m Series C financing by existing and new investors; distinct from the Technologies subsidiary investment.
Series c extensionVenture / equity1 source€20M
Reported amount €20,000,000
Investor explains €20m additional second close on top of €50m first close three months earlier; only increment recorded.
InvestorsSoros Economic Development FundFarallon Capital ManagementKIP Bio Global FundTCD Capital FundDebt1 source€30M
Reported amount €30,000,000
Dated EIB release confirms a new €30m loan separate from the 2019 €20m operation.
ParticipantsEuropean Investment BankSeries d first closeVenture / equity1 source€44M
Reported amount €44,000,000
Investor-hosted company release confirms €44m first close.
InvestorsSFPI-FPIMSRIWAmerigo FundAdjuvant CapitalAdBio PartnersTheClubDeal3d investorsGlobal Health Investment CorporationIn-Q-Tel
Recorded history so far. Original currencies are preserved; amounts in different currencies are not added together. Debt, grants, acquisitions and listings are separate event types. Undated events appear last.
Key people
In the news
- Des investisseurs s'interrogent sur la faillite d'UnivercellsDes investisseurs mécontents s'interrogent sur les circonstances de la faillite d'Univercells, fleuron wallon de la biotechnologie, et de sa filiale Quantoom. Ces deux sociétés ont fait faillite il y a plus d'un an. Le cabinet de conseil Deminor se penche sur cette affaire.
L'Echo Entreprises · 3 Oct 2026
- Wrijvingen rond faillissement Waalse biotechtrots UnivercellsOntevreden investeerders hebben vragen over de omstandigheden van het faillissement van de Waalse biotechtrots Univercells en zijn dochter Quantoom. Die vielen ruim een jaar geleden om. Het adviesbureau Deminor buigt zich over de zaak.
De Tijd Ondernemen · 3 Oct 2026
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