The one from Bavaria Capital Growth Fund Bavaria and Fluxunit, the venture capital investment company of OSRAM, are investing in the medical technology company iThera MedicalThe Munich-based startup operates in the field of optoacoustic imaging for medical diagnostics and has developed laser-based MSOT (Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography) technology. This innovative technology enables the detection of tumors and inflammatory diseases, among other things, easily, precisely, and without invasive procedures.
In addition to the Bavarian Growth Fund and Fluxunit, existing investors BayBG Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft, which was the first institutional investor in the company in 2011, and the family office EXTOREL also participated in the €7 million financing round. The medical diagnostics startup intends to use the fresh capital primarily to further develop its MSOT systems and enter the clinical market.
Real-time diagnoses
iThera's MSOT technology uses the so-called photoacoustic effect – the conversion of light energy into sound waves – to characterize and differentiate different tissue types in the body and convert them into 3D images. In contrast to established imaging techniques, this technology makes it possible for the first time to visualize and quantify the concentrations and spatial distributions of specific biological marker molecules such as hemoglobin, melanin, water, or lipids. This enables physicians to make more specific, non-invasive, and real-time diagnoses. Until now, this has often only been possible invasively, through procedures such as endoscopies or biopsies. This is particularly important for regular checkups and therapy support for chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease or the identification of tumor tissue in breast cancer.
Milestone in medical diagnostics
"With its technology, iThera sets a milestone in medical diagnostics. The light-based technology can help physicians make important diagnoses more easily and precisely, thus saving patients from stressful procedures and healthcare systems from significant costs,"
explained Dr. Ulrich Eisele, Managing Director of Fluxunit. OSRAM has long been active in the field of lighting for medical applications such as microscopy and endoscopy.
Expanding our leading role in medical technology
Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs Franz Josef Pschierer welcomes the commitment of the Bavarian Growth Fund to iThera Medical:
"The company exemplifies successful entrepreneurship in Bavaria: from an idea from basic research at the university to its application in a highly relevant market. We want to expand our global leadership in medical technology. The Bavarian Growth Fund plays an important role in this."
