Dyneval Making Moves in Reproduction Technology
Midlothian-based Dyneval could help reverse a worrying global trend – the apparent significant decline of sperm count in men of reproductive age.
The company, established in 2020 by Dr Tiffany Wood and Dr Vincent Martinez, former physicists at the University of Edinburgh, aims to commercialise new technology for measuring the motility (movement) of microorganisms. Sperm motility is key to fertility, since spermatozoa that move strongly are most likely to fertilise an egg.
Initially, the team focused on operating in the livestock market, with participation in the area of human fertility a long-term aim.
Dyneval is based at the DDI’s Easter Bush AgriTech hub, at Roslin Innovation Centre, and has benefitted from the University of Edinburgh’s AI Accelerator programme.
“AI Accelerator is a business development programme for AI-driven scaling companies operating in a wide variety of sectors. The programme covers commercial skills and introduces companies to AI resources at the University, including student placements and academic collaborations.”
Support
Companies receive extensive support in pitching to secure investment, as well as branding, marketing, sales and finance.
“Among other advantages, we benefited from the AI Accelerator’s broad network, including data architecture consultations and medical device design support. Similarly, we received crucial training and support on pitching to investors
One unexpected benefit was the breadth of the programme. It meant different members of our team were able to benefit from sessions on everything from data, research and value proposition to negotiation.
We’re now promoting our first product, a ‘Dynescan’ Analyzer aimed at the veterinary market. It allows anyone carrying out fertility assessments to gauge semen quality and develop a more effective breeding strategy.
The company’s current focus is on building sales and international relationships, particularly in South America, North America and Australia, where livestock production is significant.
However, we’ve always had the ambition to move towards human fertility. We’re really interested to see how our technology can help people understand the causes behind reduction in sperm quality, whether that’s in bulls or in humans.”
Collaboration
To that end, Dyneval’s eight-strong team benefits from the neighbouring expertise at Roslin.
“It’s really useful to be surrounded by people who know and understand the sector, have useful networks and are working on related topics around improving genetics for breeding populations of different species. There’s strong collaboration between the different hubs based at the site”
Although its participation in the AI Accelerator programme ended in March 2024, Dyneval continues to benefit from the links and opportunities that come from being part of a DDI hub.
“We can keep up to date with grant and fundraising opportunities and we are interested in using our data to collaborate with the university. Our aim is to integrate machine learning algorithms to add functionality to our technology, and the university’s supercomputing capabilities could help with that ambition.”
For further information, please contact:
Roslin Innovation Centre
The University of Edinburgh
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian, EH25 9RG
RIC & Agritech Innovation Director: Val Hughes-White
T: +44 (0)131 651 9000
Email us