Irubis is a Munich-based biotech startup that uses a novel measuring system to develop automated Monitoring and control of bioreactors The system is based on infrared spectroscopy, an analytical method that uses infrared radiation. Munich Startup first spoke with Irubis in 2016, but a lot has happened at the startup since then. For example, a new focus is on bioreactors, which are used in the biopharmaceutical industry to produce biopharmaceutical drugs. Therefore, we now have an update interview with Anja Müller, founder and COO of Irubis.
Munich Startup: Anya, our last interview It's been a good four years. What have been your three biggest milestones since then?
Anja Müller, Irubis: A lot has happened in the last four years! A major milestone came with the transition to a new application area: the biopharmaceutical industry. We received very positive feedback on our idea within a very short time, built a prototype within six weeks, and tested it with a biopharmaceutical customer. A follow-up project and additional customer projects will start in a few weeks.
We are very pleased to have been supported by business angels since the beginning of the year. Another success is that Irubis has been awarded a grant by the EU within the framework of the EIC Accelerators 1.3 million euros. The goal of the funded project is to bring our measurement system for glucose monitoring in bioreactors to market readiness.
Munich Startup: Your business model has undergone changes. How did this come about, and what are you currently focusing on?
Anja Müller, Irubis: Yes, that's right. Four years ago, we focused on blood analysis. The customer problem we're focusing on today was brought to us by the market. An expert in the field asked us, "Why don't you use your technology to monitor bioreactors?" Biopharmaceuticals are produced by genetically modified cells in so-called bioreactors.
A major challenge is ensuring the optimal nutrient concentration for the cells. Therefore, most pharmaceutical companies still manually collect and analyze samples every day. We solve this problem! Irubis enables the continuous monitoring and regulation of nutrient concentrations in bioreactors using an infrared spectroscopy system combined with a single-use flow cell.
Munich Startup: And what does the inclusion in the EIT Accelerator and the Funding through the Horizon 2020 programme for you?
Anja Müller, Irubis: The Horizon 2020 program came at just the right time and is helping us take Irubis to the next level! The great thing about the program is its focus on customer-centric development. We don't want to push our technology into the market, but rather solve the customer's problem.
Are there any challenging issues at Irubis?
Munich Startup: In our last conversation, one of the biggest challenges was production. What are some of the tricky issues for you right now?
Anja Müller, Irubis: Recruiting is a tricky topic at the moment. We want to grow and are looking for new team members with a background in biotechnology and a passion for sales, as well as software developers and engineers to complement our development team.
Munich Startup: Are you still part of the original founding team? How has the team changed overall?
Anja Müller, Irubis: Of course! Alex, Lorenz, and I have been working together for four years now. Our team now consists of twelve people. We plan to fill four more positions by the end of this year. We're also no longer based at the TUM Incubator, but have an office in downtown Munich.
“Corona shows how important innovations in bioprocess engineering are”
Munich Startup: Would you say that your business model and therefore your company is benefiting from the Corona crisis?
Anja Müller, Irubis: With continuous monitoring and glucose regulation in bioreactors, biopharmaceuticals can be developed faster and more cost-effectively, thus making them available to patients more quickly. We are not yet on the market, but the coronavirus crisis is demonstrating how timely and important innovations in the field of bioprocess engineering are!
Munich Startup: You've gone through several accelerators in recent years and received various awards. How important was this for your further development?
Anja Müller, Irubis: Especially in the beginning, the accelerators helped us with their workshops and network. The accelerators' financial support gave us the time to find the right market for our idea and to implement it technically.
Accelerators provide time to find the right market
Munich Startup: Where will you be when we next talk in five years?
Anja Müller, Irubis: Successful on the market. Our mission is to make Irubis technology the gold standard for glucose monitoring and regulation of bioreactors!
