Iontas (biotech)
Iontas is a British biotechnology company based in Cambridge, England, known for its contributions to antibody discovery and engineering. Established during the early 2010s, the company became recognised for advancing display technologies that improved the way therapeutic antibodies were identified and optimised. Iontas later became part of the FairJourney Biologics group, forming a wider network of antibody discovery specialists across Europe.
Founding and Early Years
Iontas was founded in Cambridge, a historic centre of antibody research and innovation in the United Kingdom. From its laboratories at the Babraham Research Campus, the company sought to develop more efficient and physiologically relevant methods for discovering antibodies for use in human therapeutics.
The founders and early scientific team built on established phage display technology—one of the most significant antibody discovery techniques of the late 20th century—but aimed to push its capabilities further through automation, parallel screening, and alternative display systems. The company’s goal was to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale drug development.
Technological Milestones
Phage Display
In its formative years, Iontas offered contract research services using phage display, which allowed for the rapid screening of large antibody libraries to identify high-affinity binders. This approach became the cornerstone of the company’s early collaborations with pharmaceutical firms.
Mammalian Display
One of Iontas’s major innovations was the creation of a mammalian display system, which allowed full-length antibodies to be expressed and screened directly in mammalian cells rather than bacterial or yeast systems. This development enabled scientists to select antibodies based on properties such as stability, secretion, and manufacturability—traits crucial for clinical success.
Collaborations and Expansion
Throughout the 2010s, Iontas expanded its commercial partnerships and became a key collaborator for a number of international pharmaceutical companies.
In 2019, the company entered into an agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals to optimise human antibodies using its mammalian display platform. The same year, Iontas strengthened its partnership with FairJourney Biologics, a Portugal-based antibody discovery company, with which it shared complementary scientific expertise and technology.
Role During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Iontas and FairJourney Biologics collaborated on the rapid development of neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The project highlighted the adaptability of their display systems and their ability to accelerate antibody discovery under urgent conditions.
Integration into FairJourney Biologics
Following years of collaboration, Iontas became part of the FairJourney Biologics group, integrating its operations into a broader European network for antibody discovery and development. This alignment enhanced its global service offering and research capacity while maintaining its Cambridge-based research facilities.
Legacy and Significance
Iontas is regarded as part of the wider lineage of Cambridge biotechnology firms that have influenced the global antibody field. Its innovations in display technology, particularly mammalian display, helped establish new standards for screening antibodies with improved therapeutic potential.
By combining scientific precision with collaborative partnerships, Iontas played a notable role in the evolution of antibody engineering during the early 21st century. Its story reflects the broader development of the UK’s biotechnology sector—one built on academic excellence, technological ingenuity, and global collaboration.