IO Biotech Limited wound up by High Court in Newport biotech case
The High Court of Justice made a winding-up order against IO Biotech Limited, a Newport-registered biotechnology research company, on 20 May 2026. Full notice and Companies House record.
Information for general guidance, drawn from the public record. Not legal, financial, or insolvency advice. If you are affected by an insolvency, consult a licensed practitioner or qualified solicitor.
The High Court of Justice made a winding-up order against IO Biotech Limited on 20 May 2026, placing the Newport-registered biotechnology and research company into compulsory liquidation. Compulsory liquidation is court-imposed, as distinct from a voluntary process resolved by a company's own members.
The case was heard under reference 002584 of 2026. IO Biotech Limited had been registered at Merlin House, Merlin House Priory Drive, Langstone, Newport, Wales, NP18 2HJ.
What the company did
IO Biotech Limited was incorporated on 6 August 2021 and carried on activities classified under SIC codes 72110 and 72190, covering research and experimental development in biotechnology and other natural sciences. The company filed its last accounts to 30 June 2024 on a total-exemption-full basis, the abbreviated filing route available to smaller companies.
The officers
Three directors appear in the Companies House record. Dr. Mai-Britt Zocca, resident in Denmark, was appointed on 11 April 2025 and was the sole director at the time of the order. Christian Knappe, also resident in Denmark, served as director from 26 August 2022 until 11 April 2025, the date on which Zocca took office. Andrew Gareth Willis, resident in Wales, was a director from incorporation on 6 August 2021 until 26 August 2022.
The liquidation process
A winding-up order places a company into compulsory liquidation. From the date of the order, the company's assets vest in a liquidator, whose role is to realise those assets and distribute the proceeds to creditors in the order of priority set out in the Insolvency Act 1986. In most cases the Official Receiver, a civil servant of the Insolvency Service, takes office as liquidator automatically on the making of the order. Creditors may subsequently nominate a licensed insolvency practitioner to replace the Official Receiver if they choose to do so.
No secured charges are registered against IO Biotech Limited at Companies House, and no petitioner is named in the published Gazette notice.
The winding-up order was published in the London Gazette on 24 May 2026. Creditors who wish to make a claim should submit a proof of debt, the formal claim form evidencing the amount owed, to the liquidator once appointed.
Common questions
Are you owed money by Io Biotech Limited?
The court has placed the company in compulsory liquidation. The Official Receiver typically takes office as liquidator unless creditors nominate a licensed insolvency practitioner. Submit your claim using the Official Receiver's online proof-of-debt service or by post; details appear on the case page at gov.uk/insolvency-service. Read more about proof of debt.
Did you work at Io Biotech Limited?
On a winding-up order, employees are usually dismissed immediately. Wages owed up to a statutory cap, holiday pay, notice pay and redundancy may be claimable from the Redundancy Payments Service. The Official Receiver will provide RP1 case-reference numbers and the date of insolvency you need to start the claim. See gov.uk: your rights if your employer is insolvent.
Do you hold a deposit, gift card or undelivered order from Io Biotech Limited?
Customers rank as unsecured creditors in the liquidation. Where you paid by credit card and the amount was over £100, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 may let you claim from the card issuer for breach of contract or misrepresentation by the supplier; the rules apply per item, not per transaction, and the card must be a regulated credit card. Debit-card payments may be recoverable via chargeback.
Are you a director of a company connected to Io Biotech Limited?
Section 216 of the Insolvency Act 1986 applies the moment the winding-up order is made. If you intend to be involved in another company using the same or a similar name within five years, you must rely on one of the three statutory exceptions. The Official Receiver also has a statutory duty to investigate director conduct and report under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.
Sources
- The London Gazette notice (code Winding-Up Orders)
- Companies House record 13553522
- Court: High Court Of Justice, case 002584
- Editorial standards: how we source and review; five-pass pipeline.
