How OGI Bio is Putting on a Brilliant Show of Modularity

Launching a biotech startup is notoriously expensive. Early-stage companies often burn through millions of dollars in development costs before seeing any revenue. Most of these costs arise from the need for specialized hardware and highly skilled talent, both of which are critical for advancing biotechnology research. Despite major breakthroughs, the prohibitive cost of lab equipment forces new companies into difficult decisions: spend countless hours using outdated tools, outsource research to costly labs, or invest heavily in systems burdened with unnecessary features.

OGI Bio was founded to directly address these challenges, particularly in fields like synthetic biology, where accessible and adaptable lab automation is essential. Building within the realm of lab automation in a way that makes advanced research tools more accessible than ever, OGI Bio’s flagship product, the OGI BioReactor, embodies this approach. Its modular design allows researchers to start with an affordable setup and add only the components they need as their work evolves. This flexibility not only automates the growth and analysis of microbes, with independent controls for each culture but enhances experimental precision with customizable add-ons like dissolved oxygen and pH measurement modules. By setting a new standard for adaptable lab equipment, this company is poised to accelerate scientific discovery across the biotechnology sector.

How it works

At its core, the OGI BioReactor offers a solution designed to cater to the specific needs of individual scientists and their research. They approach with the rejection of the “one size fits all” model, designing their product to allow teams to optimize around their needs while retaining the flexibility to adapt to future requirements. The core device is dynamic, it can grow four independent cultures simultaneously—whether it’s bacteria, yeast, algae, or mycelial fungi—while measuring growth independently and automatically in real-time. This system also features built-in mechanisms to encourage researchers to adjust conditions such as stir speed and temperature—offering a level of control and flexibility unusual at smaller scales.

Description: The OGI BioReactor Liquid Control Module gives researchers the ability to run fed-batch and continuous culturing processes at 15ml working volumes per reactor

The system’s biggest innovation is that new features can be added only as they are needed, instead of investing in an expensive all-in-one system. This includes a range of modules such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and 3 simultaneous fluorescence measurements, as well as Liquid and pH control, and air sparging. These modules can be added at any point after the initial purchase, ensuring the equipment's adaptability throughout its lifetime.

The Story

OGI Bio’s adaptable approach to microbial culturing is rooted deeply in the company’s philosophy and the personal journey of co-founder: Alex McVey. Alex began his academic career as a physicist at the University of Edinburgh, where he first ventured into biology through wet lab research. It was during this time that he encountered the frustrations of "bacterial babysitting"—the manual, time-consuming process of managing microbial cultures—or the alternative of advanced lab equipment that was followed up with a huge price tag. Realizing that no one in the market was addressing this gap, Alex decided to take on the challenge himself by developing the first models of what would become the OGI BioReactor. By focusing on creating an adaptable, cost-effective solution, it eliminated the need for expensive, inflexible systems. 

Teuta Pilizota, Alex’s co-founder with a strong academic background, played a critical role in shaping OGI Bio’s approach to product development. Together, Alex and Teuta emphasized a feedback-driven strategy, continuously refining their designs based on direct input from researchers. As demand for their innovative solution grew, so did their understanding of how to better serve the needs of scientists. 

Over time, Alex expanded his team, assembling a group of experts focused heavily on product development all the while maintaining a strong "move fast" mentality. OGI Bio’s growth has been marked by several key milestones, including securing four rounds of funding, with a total approximate amount of £2.5M in the last four years, reflecting the confidence investors have in their vision and execution. They also recently hired their first commercial team member in sales, setting the stage for the next phase in the company’s growth at the market level. 

The company has come a long way from its initial vision of tackling everyday lab challenges. Sticking closely to its founding mission, OGI Bio has designed and refined its hardware into a powerful tool now found in the hands of researchers at one- and two-person startups, as well as larger companies. From a simple idea to a widely adopted solution, OGI Bio’s journey is a testament to the impact of innovative thinking and the pursuit of making advanced research accessible.

Future Visions

“Our goal is for our systems to be on the bench of everyone who is working with microbes in the world” 

Alex Mcvey

Looking ahead, OGI Bio is committed to advancing its technologies and expanding its market reach. New BioReactor types and modular options are in development currently. The vision is bold: to ensure that anyone working with microbes, regardless of their resources, can access the automation needed to drive their work forward.

A key part of this strategy involves partnering with other companies to integrate downstream analysis and processes seamlessly with their bioreactor systems. OGI Bio is actively working with upscale and pilot-scale setups to replicate the conditions found in large industrial fermenters, bridging the gap between lab-scale experiments and full-scale production. This approach offers researchers confidence that what works on the bench can be scaled effectively, supporting the entire R&D lifecycle from discovery to market.

“We have no intention of slowing down” 

Alex McVey

Now in its third edition, each new version of the BioReactor introduces more features and options, continually pushing the boundaries of what their technology can control. From fine-tuning conditions to exploring new parameters, OGI Bio is committed to ensuring their system evolves alongside the ever-changing needs of scientific research.

Conclusion: The End of Inaccessibility for Labs Worldwide

The OGI BioReactor offers adaptable, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that break down traditional barriers in lab automation, making advanced research tools accessible to organizations of all sizes. This flexibility allows labs to start with a basic setup and expand as their needs evolve, optimizing workflows all while removing any financial barriers that may slow down scientific breakthroughs. As challenges grow, the company’s modular design ensures its equipment can serve the evolving bio-landscape.

Looking ahead, OGI Bio is set to transform labs worldwide. As they grow, they’re driving breakthroughs in everything from alternative fuels to new therapies, sparking the next era of biotech innovation.

Take the next step in accelerating your lab’s success. When you purchase from OGI Bio, be sure to mention @Fruitionary for tailored support on your biotech journey.