Manta Secures Venture Funding for Optical System to Measure Nanoparticles

Manta Instruments Inc. has received venture funding to commercialize an optical device for quantifying and characterizing nanoparticles in solution.

Called ViewSizer 3000, the device is based on technology developed by Dariusz Stramski and Kuba Tatarkiewich at the University of California, San Diego. Manta was founded in last year as a UCSD spinoff and was selected to participate in the EvoNexus technology startup incubator program.

ViewSizer analyzes the Brownian motion of nanoparticles in liquids using multiple lasers and detectors. Unlike previous systems with limited dynamic ranges, ViewSizer is able to detect a wider range of scattered light intensities and determine individual particle sizes based on that intensity data.

"We believe its unique properties will enable Manta to become a leading instrument producer globally in the rapidly developing nanotechnology market," said CEO Rick Cooper.

Funding came from the Joint Polish Investment Fund and Triton Technology Fund. The amount of the funding was not disclosed.

The Joint Polish Investment Fund is cofinanced by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development and invests worldwide in early and mid-stage life sciences companies lead by Polish people, located in Poland or based on intellectual property generated by Polish nationals.

Axel Polack, a general partner of the fund, was appointed to Manta's board of directors.

For more information, visit www.mantainc.com.