GNA Biosolutions completes € 6 million financing round

Prepares for market entry with fast diagnostic instruments for hospital bugs

03-Jul-2015 - Germany

GNA Biosolutions GmbH (GNA), a manufacturer of ultrafast pathogen diagnostic instruments, will receive fresh capital of € 6 million in a Series B financing round. Founded in 2010, GNA welcomes new investors Robert Bosch Venture Capital (RBVC), SHS Gesellschaft für Beteiligungsmanagement GmbH, b-to-v Partners, and UnternehmerTUM-Fonds who are investing in its highly promising molecular diagnostics technology. The financing round was led by Robert Bosch Venture Capital. Existing shareholders include Mey Capital Matrix, KfW and the company’s founders.

Working with a laser-based PCR process, GNA facilitates reliable pathogen detection. The technology enables physicians and hospitals to diagnose bacterial diseases within minutes, with no need for time-consuming laboratory diagnostics. The specific DNA sequences for the pathogen under investigation are extracted and artificially multiplied (Polymerase Chain Reaction = PCR). The laser component of GNA’s technology is used for the necessary PCR thermo-cycling process (sample heating and cooling) and to read out results. Compared with traditional PCR diagnostics, this laser-based approach supplies results within just a few minutes. With low requirements in terms of sample preparation, it also facilitates the development of inexpensive diagnostics products.

GNA will use the funds from this financing round to bring its first product, the Pharos400 instrument, to market maturity. The Pharos400 processes samples with its integrated laser unit and allows a real-time detection and quantification of the results. Given its highly integrated diagnostics cartridges, Pharos400 will enable untrained hospital staff to quickly and easily obtain meaningful diagnoses. GNA will also work on developing tests for other hospital bugs. The company will focus above all on attracting university hospitals as its potential first customers.

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Topic world Diagnostics

Diagnostics is at the heart of modern medicine and forms a crucial interface between research and patient care in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. It not only enables early detection and monitoring of disease, but also plays a central role in individualized medicine by enabling targeted therapies based on an individual's genetic and molecular signature.

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Topic world Diagnostics

Topic world Diagnostics

Diagnostics is at the heart of modern medicine and forms a crucial interface between research and patient care in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. It not only enables early detection and monitoring of disease, but also plays a central role in individualized medicine by enabling targeted therapies based on an individual's genetic and molecular signature.