Two spin-out companies from the University of Bath, Revolver Therapeutics and Probiosooth, have been selected as finalists of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies Competition 2026, which celebrates the best of the UK’s early-stage deep-tech chemistry talent.

Opening up “undruggable” cancer targets

Revolver Therapeutics was founded by Professor Jody Mason from the University’s Department of Life Sciences to develop peptide therapeutics against disease-driving proteins that have historically been considered “undruggable”.

These include transcription factors - proteins that control gene expression and play central roles in many cancers, but which have proved extremely difficult to target with conventional drugs. The company’s proprietary discovery platform generates and tests millions of constrained peptide drug candidates directly inside living cells, selecting from the outset for molecules that can switch off disease-driving transcription factor activity. This cell-based approach could open up new treatment options for cancers that have remained beyond the reach of traditional drug discovery.

Using probiotics to treat skin infections

Probiosooth, led by Professor Toby Jenkins in the Department of Chemistry, has developed a technology which shows huge promise in preventing and potentially treating skin and wound infections by attaching 'good' bacteria probiotics (often added to yoghurts and baby formula) to skin facing fabric as well as developing a range of topical creams and serums containing probiotics. This has applications in infant care, eczema skin care, care of adults with incontinence and chronic wound care.

Professors Mason and Jenkins will be up against four other finalists in the Health category, who will pitch in person for the Emerging Technologies Competition final in London on 21 July 2026.

The judging panel includes experts with experience in translating chemistry innovations into commercial products, with representation from internationally renowned organisations including Unilever, AstraZeneca, and GSK.

They will pick winners from across the four categories: Enabling Technologies, Energy, Environment and Health.

This year’s winners will take away a share of the £50k prize pot to help advance the development of their technologies.