Discovery Park in Kent has expanded its tenant portfolio with the addition of two early-stage biotechnology companies: MilaK, a precision fermentation protein startup, and iLoF, a digital health company working in the field of personalised drug development. Both firms have moved into new laboratory and office space at the park’s CoLab facility, a shared lab environment managed in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University.
Precision fermentation for nutrition applications
MilaK, which develops animal-free whey protein using precision fermentation, is currently in the R&D stage and has received support from Innovate UK. Initially targeting the sports nutrition market, the company also plans to expand its technology into areas such as infant formula and clinical nutrition. Having scaled to a seven-person team within months of its founding, MilaK has recently appointed two scientists to work from its new base at Discovery Park.
Founder Milena Hutchings noted that the site’s infrastructure and collaborative setup were key factors in their decision: “Our new R&D base at Discovery Park gives access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and opportunities to collaborate with other UK biotech innovators. This allows the team to accelerate our early-stage research timelines.”
AI-driven drug development
iLoF, short for Intelligent Lab on Fiber, is developing a platform to improve the efficiency of clinical and pre-clinical trials. The company combines artificial intelligence with proprietary optical technology to create a library of optical signatures, enabling non-invasive patient stratification and personalised drug matching. Since its founding in 2019, iLoF has raised more than $10 million from backers including Microsoft Ventures and Hamamatsu Ventures Japan.
According to Chief Operating Officer Mehak Mumtaz, the firm is already leveraging its new location to establish links with other life science companies. “We are growing rapidly, making Discovery Park the perfect fit as our new home, offering flexibility for our next stage of growth. We’re already exploring synergies with other Discovery Park tenants,’ she stated.
Strategic location for UK life sciences
The two companies are among the latest additions to Discovery Park’s CoLab facility, which is designed to support early-stage companies with access to specialist equipment, flexible lease terms, and connections to the broader South East England life sciences cluster. The addition of MilaK and iLoF brings the total number of tenants at the campus to over 180, covering biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing.
Chris Broom, Head of Business Development at Discovery Park, noted, “These companies represent exactly the kind of innovative, science-led businesses that thrive in our collaborative ecosystem.”
