FluoSphera, a healthtech startup based in Geneva, has successfully raised CHF 1.15 million in seed funding to advance its innovative platform for 3D human organ models. This funding will facilitate the development of a more effective method for drug testing, aiming to reduce the high rate of drug failures during clinical trials.
The pharmaceutical industry faces significant challenges, with over 90% of drug candidates failing in clinical trials, primarily due to inadequate early testing methods. Traditional cell models often do not accurately reflect human biology, while animal testing can yield misleading results, leading to costly late-stage failures. FluoSphera seeks to address these issues by providing a more human-relevant approach to preclinical drug testing.
Transforming Drug Discovery
Founded in 2021 by Dr. Gregory Segala, Dr. Clelia Bourgoint, and Dr. Aurélien Roux, FluoSphera has developed a patented 3D multiplexed in vitro platform. This technology allows drug developers to test compounds across multiple human tissue models simultaneously, combining up to six or seven different tissue types in a single well. By using fluorescent coding, researchers can independently track each tissue type, enabling them to observe interactions between organs and assess both drug efficacy and potential toxicity in a single experiment.
FluoSphera has already begun collaborating with various biotech and pharmaceutical companies, particularly in the area of antibody-drug conjugate testing. The company also partners with Revvity for high-throughput screening. Its approach aligns with regulatory trends, such as the FDA’s Modernisation Act 3.0, which promotes non-animal testing methods in preclinical research.
According to FluoSphera, drug developers utilizing its technology could save between $100 million and $500 million per molecule by significantly lowering developmental risks and reducing both clinical and time-to-market costs. The company aims to make advanced human tissue modeling more accessible, establishing a new standard for in vitro testing in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and academic settings.
Future Plans and Market Expansion
The newly acquired funding will enable FluoSphera to enhance its commercial partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and Contract Research Organizations (CROs). The company plans to strengthen its business development team while further developing its artificial intelligence and automation capabilities for large-scale imaging analysis. Additionally, FluoSphera intends to expand its market presence in both the United States and the European Union, with initial steps into the Asian market.
Dr. Clélia Bourgoint, CEO and co-founder of FluoSphera, emphasized the company’s mission: “We’re building the next generation of preclinical tools, not just to get new medicine faster to market and at a lower cost, but also to enhance the quality of drug discovery processes. By improving human relevance and reducing reliance on animal models, we help our partners bring safer, more effective treatments to patients faster.”
Hynek Sochor, Founder and Managing Partner at Soulmates Ventures, remarked on the potential of FluoSphera’s approach, stating, “FluoSphera stood out to us from the start for its exceptional founders and groundbreaking science. As the pharmaceutical industry transitions away from animal testing, the need for reliable human-relevant models is immense. FluoSphera is opening a multi-billion-dollar opportunity by giving drug developers the means to innovate faster, safer, and more ethically.”
FluoSphera’s advancements could represent a significant shift in drug discovery, enhancing the effectiveness of testing and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
