About Us
The Story So Far
With support from BBSRC, EPSRC, and NC3Rs, we developed a short, self-assembling peptide hydrogel (SAPH) platform that is well-defined, consistent, easy to handle, and entirely animal-free. It can be customised to mimic specific tissue types, with independently tunable stiffness to decouple matrix composition from mechanical properties in biological studies.
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By 2022, after successful validation with partner labs across the globe and growing interest, we recognised the technology was ready for commercialisation. We secured BBSRC funding to join the ICURe programme, enabling us to test our technology in real-world markets.
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Following a successful customer discovery phase, we were awarded £270,690 through Innovate UK’s ICURe Follow-on-Fund, supporting our expansion and product development.
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Since launching in July 2023, we’ve released four hydrogel products tailored to specific tissue types—each fully animal-free with tuneable stiffness and composition.
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In 2024, we secured further investment, marking a key milestone and strong endorsement of our vision.
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To learn more, visit our product page—or get in touch to trial our latest innovations.
Meet the Team
Our multi-disciplinary team is made up of matrix biologists, cancer scientists, toxicologists, biomaterials engineers, and experienced business professionals.
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This allows us to respond to a variety of challenges, and also design hydrogel products which meet the complex and varied demmands of academic and industry research.
Co-Founder & CEO
Dr John Curd
With a background in translational research and innovation strategy, John has led the commercialisation of academic breakthroughs into scalable, real-world solutions. Under his leadership, PeptiMatrix has secured major grant funding, launched multiple tissue-specific hydrogel products, and attracted significant investment to accelerate its mission of transforming in vitro research and reducing reliance on animal models.
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Chairperson & Business Advisor
Dr Clive Roper
Clive is an expert in vitro toxicology consultant, advising both startups and established companies on aligning innovative technologies with their strategic scientific and business goals. His key areas of expertise include dermal absorption and toxicology, inhalation toxicology, and microphysiological systems. As a founder and board member of the NA3RsC and a board member of the NC3Rs, Clive also has a long-standing interest in promoting non-animal research methodologies.
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Product Development Technologist
Dr Mikayla Shelton
Mikayla is a dedicated cancer scientist who completed her PhD at Leeds Beckett University, where she investigated the bidirectional crosstalk between melanoma cells and the tumour microenvironment. Her research explored a range of phenotypic and gene expression changes, as well as detailed vesicle cargo profiling to uncover new insights into melanoma progression. In addition to her academic work, Mikayla brings valuable industry experience, having contributed to a broad spectrum of client-driven projects, further strengthening her expertise in both research and application.
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mikayla.shelton@peptimatrix.com
Co-Founder & CSO
Prof Cathy Merry
Cathy leads the Stem Cell Glycobiology Group at the University of Nottingham, where she has driven numerous projects focused on optimising hydrogel technology since joining in 2015. She also serves as Deputy Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. A board member of the NC3Rs, Cathy is a strong advocate for advancing non-animal research methodologies.
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Product Development Technologist
Dr Viola Erdelyi
Viola is a cancer research scientist with a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Nottingham. Her doctoral work focused on testing and optimising small molecule inhibitors for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, alongside developing a 3D cell model to better understand their ADME properties. This research combined molecular biology, pharmacology, and 3D modelling to support more effective drug development. Viola also has experience in the start-up space, bringing a strong blend of scientific and commercial insight.
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Business Development Manager
Dr Dammy Olayanju
Dammy is a results-driven professional with a proven track record of translating scientific innovation into commercial success. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology and Translational Medicine and brings broad experience across academic, clinical, and commercial environments. With deep scientific expertise and strategic insight, Dammy develops innovative solutions, drives scalable growth, and builds impactful partnerships within the biomedical sector. Known for his collaborative approach, he excels at leading cross-functional teams, strengthening customer relationships, and delivering tangible business outcomes.
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