A COMPANY spun out from university research has just received a major six-figure investment.

Biofresh Limited, set up by researchers at Newcastle University to commercialise new technology to extend the shelf life of fresh food, clinched investment from a private equity investor.

The company has developed and tested management systems to use ozone and ethylene to preserve and extend the shelf life of fresh food.

The technology is already attracting considerable commercial interest as a safe alternative to traditional practices used to prevent sprouting in potatoes and prevent fruit and salads rotting in transit.

The cash injection from the equity investor will enable BioFresh to market its product further across the UK and internationally, and to look for different ways of using the technology.

Dr Jeremy Barnes, one of the founder members of BioFresh, said: "This funding deal is great news for BioFresh as it enables us to market the cutting edge products we've developed for the treatment of fresh produce in store or in transit.

"We will also be continuing our university-based research alongside commercial-scale trials into the deployment of ozone and ethylene and the mechanisms that underlie the action of these gases."

North-East law firm Ward Hadaway advised Biofresh on all the legal aspects involved in the investment deal.

Corporate finance partner Duncan Reid, who led the team, said, "This spin-out from Newcastle University is a great example of supporting and promoting scientific research and business excellence in the region, using business angel funding to enable ambitious businesses to put growth plans into action.

"BioFresh is an ambitious business with the cutting edge science to design and manufacture products to provide a valuable storage and transport solution for the fresh food industry. It has a bright future."

Fellow North-East law firm Dickinson Dees acted for the investor.