Bioaxial secures €1.9 million to commercialize microscopy instruments

Paris-based Bioaxial, developers of superresolved fluorescence microscopy for the extended imaging of live cells, has announced the completion of a €1.9 million (about $2.6 million) equity investment by three new large investors – Amorcage Technological Investment (a fund managed by CEA Investment), Inserm Transfert Initiative and Viveris Management – plus a range of individual investors.

This capital will back the commercial launch of Bioaxial’s first product, an optical microscopy module, which is expected in the second half of 2014. Bioaxial is developing imaging instruments for fluorescence microscopy that allow extended imaging of live cells with an improved resolution so far unattainable in research laboratories. The module not only allows observation of living cells in superresolution over time without damaging them, but, unlike its competitors, does not require complex manipulations. It has been tested at the Pasteur Institute for the past 12 months.

“Our technology revolutionizes optical microscopy in the life sciences market,” said Gabriel Sirat, chief technology officer, co-founder and inventor of the technology. “We expect applications in many areas where improved resolution is essential to better understand the processes of live entities.”

“This is our second investment in medical device instrumentation,” said Matthieu Coutet, managing director at Inserm Transfert Initiative. “We were very impressed by this ambitious project, which brings together an experienced team, a disruptive technology and clearly identified business opportunities.”