Creoptix AG, a Switzerland-based company focused on next-generation bioanalytical instruments, has raised CHF 8 million in the first closing as part of a Series C financing round. The round was led by Swisscanto Invest by Zürcher Kantonalbank and joined by Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) as well as existing private investors. Robert Schier of Swisscanto Invest has joined the board of directors. With this financing round, the company has raised more than CHF 15 million since 2013. The proceeds enable Creoptix to strengthen its commercial operations in Europe as well as in the US and to expand its market presence.
Creoptix developed and markets Creoptix WAVE systems to study molecular interactions in real- time and is revolutionizing the world of drug discovery. Based on proprietary waveguide interferometry technology, the Creoptix WAVE system offers a level of sensitivity superior to Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), with a crude sample robustness normally only achieved with plate- based assays. The technology is facilitating new analytical applications such as membrane protein analysis in drug discovery and real-time kinetic interaction studies in body fluids for biomarker and biotherapeutics development.
Robert Schier, Investment Director PE/VC Health-Tech at Swisscanto Invest, commented: "Creoptix WAVE systems convinces as a mature, robust, versatile and sensitive technology that addresses many existing and novel applications in life sciences. Swisscanto Invest also sees excellent commercial potential, which has been confirmed by existing customers and increasing revenues this year. Creoptix is a great match for our growth fund and we are proud to be part of an exciting journey."
"We are delighted to have attracted Swisscanto Invest as an institutional investor and are very pleased with the support we have received from our existing investors, including Waters Corporation. This financing round provides us with the funds to support our plans to grow our commercial operations and to expand our market presence to meet the growing need for precise bioanalytical instruments," said Matyas Vegh, CEO of Creoptix.
Eduard M. Brunner, Chairman of Creoptix, added: "Creoptix, with its next-generation WAVE systems, has significant potential to make a real impact on the bioanalytical instruments market. We are pleased to welcome Swisscanto Invest as a new investor that will help drive our innovation in the years ahead."