Biametrics GmbH, which is based in Tübingen, Germany, has concluded a round of financing that has raised 3.1 million euros. LBBW Venture GmbH, MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft BW and KfW Bankengruppe were the main investors in the Series A round. Together with founding investors High-Tech Gründerfonds HTGF and Seedfonds BW, who have supported the company since 2010, this fresh capital will be used to develop and market label-free analytical devices for the life sciences sector.

The analytical devices developed by Biametrics, which are based on patented 1-lambda RIDe technology, operate on a completely label-free basis, even at very low detection limits. Standard measurement processes using fluorescent dyes can have a significant influence on the activities of the biomolecules being investigated. The new technology can be used, for example, to generate valuable data on the binding properties of biomolecules that are important, among other things, for the development of new pharmacological active ingredients. At the same time, the analytical sequences are robust, fast and low-cost, with measurement results available after just a few minutes.

The group of investors consisting of LBBW Venture GmbH, MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft BW, KfW Bankengruppe, High-Tech Gründer-fonds HTGF and Seedfonds BW was impressed by the performance of the business, which was established five years ago in the STERN BioRegion by technical biologist Dr. Günther Proll and chemist Dr. Florian Pröll. The spin-off from the University of Tübingen has raised a total of 3.1 million euros to develop its innovative analytical devices, which utilise patent-protected surface chemistry that is based on years of development work. 1-lambda-RIDe technology detects the interactions between biomolecules. Materials with different optical properties partially reflect light at layer boundaries while allowing it to pass through at other areas. Where the reflected rays cause interference, i.e. superimpose each other, the reflected pattern changes. The measuring sensor reacts to this process. Light-permeable materials, such as glass or plastic with coated surfaces are used as consumables for the optical biosensors.

The Biametrics “b-screen” analytical device is being marketed in collaboration with partner Berthold Technologies GmbH & Co. KG (Bad Wildbad, Germany). As the device can be used to investigate up to 10,000 interactions per square centimetre in the shortest possible space of time, it is primarily ideal for high-throughput screening and for identifying new pharmaceutically relevant molecules on standard microarrays, as already being used in the area of fluorescence microarrays. Meanwhile, the mobile b-portable can be used to take measurements directly at the point of need and obtain a result immediately. The analytical device can thus also be used for on-site monitoring in bioreactors or fermentation plants and in human and animal diagnostics. Passengers at airports can even be checked for virus particles in next to no time using this technology.

About Biametrics GmbH:

Biametrics GmbH is a spin-off of the University of Tübingen. Founded in 2010 by technical biologist Dr. Günther Proll and chemist Dr. Florian Pröll, the innovative company manufactures label-free analytical devices for use in the life sciences sector and in diagnostics. Based on patented 1-lambda RIDe technology, the devices detect interactions between biomolecules. The company’s portfolio of analytical devices includes, firstly, the b-portable, which is small, robust, low-cost, mobile and can be used for very low detection limits. Secondly, Biametrics GmbH is working in partnership with Berthold Technologies to supply the b-screen, which can rapidly analyse up to 10,000 interactions per cm2.