Biotix: From Lab Bench to Global Partnerships at The EpiCentre

Biotix, a biotech company specialising in skin microbiome research, joined The EpiCentre in Haverhill in 2021. At the time, the company was in its earliest stages, with a bold scientific vision but in need of the right environment to turn that vision into reality.

The EpiCentre provided exactly that. The fully equipped laboratory facilities meant Biotix could get straight to work without the significant upfront cost of setting up a private lab. More importantly, the team at The EpiCentre went above and beyond to support the company’s growth — from helping showcase Biotix’s work to visitors and partners, to creating an environment where a small science-led business could genuinely thrive.

Biotix combines artificial intelligence with microbiome science to discover and develop natural skincare ingredients. The company’s AI-driven discovery platform analyses complex biological datasets to identify beneficial skin microbes with potential applications in skin health, ageing and skin longevity. This approach — pairing computational power with laboratory validation — has allowed Biotix to move faster and more precisely than traditional discovery methods.

The growing recognition of Biotix’s work has also led to opportunities beyond the lab. Founder Davide Pennino has been invited to speak at OBN events on the role of artificial intelligence in biotech, sharing how smaller companies can leverage AI to compete at the forefront of scientific discovery. This kind of industry visibility has been built on the solid foundation that The EpiCentre helped provide from the start.

Over the past four years, Biotix has used The EpiCentre as a springboard to develop its platform, build international research collaborations, and secure commercial partnerships with major industry players in the cosmetics and personal care sector. The company’s work now spans active projects with partners across Southeast Asia and Europe.

The EpiCentre’s continued investment in its facilities also made a tangible difference. Through UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding secured from West Suffolk Council, the centre introduced specialist equipment including a qPCR machine, which allowed Biotix to carry out molecular analysis on-site rather than outsourcing — saving time and improving the pace of research.

Founder Davide Pennino said: “The EpiCentre has been instrumental in helping Biotix grow. The facilities, the flexibility, and the genuine support from Helen and the team made a real difference at a stage when it really mattered. We could not have reached where we are today without them.”

Biotix’s journey at The EpiCentre is a clear example of how the right environment — combining specialist lab space, hands-on business support and access to modern scientific equipment — can help ambitious, technology-driven biotech companies move from early-stage research to real commercial traction.