LUNAPHORE
Lunaphore Technologies SA, a Swiss life-sciences company developing innovative next-generation equipment for cancer research and tissue diagnostics, announces the first closing of its Series C funding, amounting to CHF 23M. The round was led by the Japanese strategic investor PHC Holdings Corporation (hereafter, PHCHD), a global healthcare company that owns Epredia, a leading provider of comprehensive solutions for precision cancer diagnostics.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200206005367/en/
The closing of the oversubscribed round was finalized on January 15, 2020. Existing investors including Redalpine Venture Partners, OCCIDENT and Alpana Ventures have also participated in this financing round.
“We are thrilled by the confidence placed in Lunaphore by our existing investors as well as the new ones in this financing round. The interest of global players in healthcare, like PHCHD demonstrates the relevance and added value of Lunaphore’s technology and confirms its high potential to transform the field of tissue analytics” said Ata Tuna Ciftlik, Lunaphore’s CEO, and added “We’re one step closer to fulfilling our vision of enabling highly sophisticated new-generation tissue analytics tests with our unique automation capabilities. The expertise and rapidly expanding network of the PHC Group and the specialist knowledge of the anatomical pathology field at Epredia will both help us gain scale and speed in this process”.
Lunaphore will invest the proceeds of Series C funding in market and product expansion. This includes a US market entry, the ramp up of activities in Europe and the development of next generation of instruments.
“We are delighted that PHCHD has invested in one of the most exciting players in tissue staining” said James Post, President of Epredia, a PHC Group portfolio company. “We believe that their technology has the potential to help revolutionize tissue analytics and greatly improve the workflow for pathologists and immuno-oncology researchers. We look forward to working together with Lunaphore to further develop their highly innovative solutions and bring them to market to help further enhance cancer research and diagnostics.” Mr. Post has joined Lunaphore’s Board of Directors as part of the transaction.
“This investment is a strong strategic fit for PHCHD, as we look to invest further in our diagnostics business,” explained Michael Kloss, President and CEO of PHCHD. “Lunaphore’s tissue staining products complement the portfolio we currently have in Epredia and we believe there is a strong opportunity for growth in their business.”
Epredia was created in June 2019 following the acquisition of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Anatomical Pathology business by PHC Holdings Corporation. Epredia’s portfolio includes microscope slides, instruments and consumables and they are committed to providing high quality products and services to enhance precision cancer diagnostics.
About Lunaphore
Lunaphore Technologies S.A. is a Swiss company developing next generation tissue autostainers. The award-winning technology based on microfluidics is called FFeX (Fast Fluidic Exchange). It aims to perform assays much faster than standard techniques and has demonstrated good results in tests with cancer patient samples. Lunaphore was founded in 2014 with the vision of bringing –omics like approaches to tissue analytics and has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies nationally and internationally. For further information on Lunaphore and its products, please visit www.lunaphore.com
.
About PHC Holdings Corporation
Incorporated in 2014, PHC Holdings Corporation is a global healthcare company with its subsidiaries including PHC Corporation, Epredia, LSI Medience Corporation and Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG. Committed to its corporate mission, “We contribute to the wellbeing of society through our diligent efforts by creating new value propositions for all the people who wish for better health,” the company develops, manufactures, sells and services medical equipment and solutions across diabetes care, diagnostics, life sciences and healthcare services. PHC Holdings Corporation group’s consolidated net sales in FY2018 was 186.8 billion yen with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 countries. For further information on PHC Holdings Corporation, please visit www.phchd.com/global
.
About Epredia
Epredia is a global leader in the anatomical pathology field, providing comprehensive solutions for precision cancer diagnostics. Powered by key brands, including Erie, Menzel, Microm, Shandon, and Richard Allan, Epredia’s portfolio includes microscope slides, instruments and consumables. Established following the acquisition by PHC Holdings Corporation in 2019, Epredia has major sites in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and China with a total of around 1,200 employees. Epredia is committed to achieving its mission to improve lives by enhancing cancer diagnostics for patients around the world. For further information on Epredia and its products, please visit www.epredia.com
.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200206005367/en/
Link:
Social Media:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
The Blind Sailor Takes the Stage at WEF: "HIRO’s CHOICE" Project to Set Sail13.1.2026 05:00:00 CET | Press release
A Solo, Non-Stop Crossing of the Pacific Ocean “Blind Sailor Single-Handed Pacific Crossing Project 2027” is a world-first initiative in which Mitsuhiro Iwamoto, a completely blind Japanese yachtsman (blind sailor) based in San Diego, will attempt a solo, non-stop trans-Pacific crossing in the spring of 2027. Sailing a 28-foot yacht single-handedly, he aims to cross the Pacific Ocean from San Diego on the U.S. West Coast to Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, without making port. Iwamoto will speak about this project at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, to be held in January 2026. Project URL: https://hiros-choice.com/ This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260108087321/en/ Hiro Iwamoto / Global Keynote Speaker, First Totally Blind Sailor to Cross the Pacific The message he most wishes to convey at the WEF is the power of choice. He lost his sight at the age of sixteen—a moment when he nearly gave up on
MarkLines Gen-AI Beta Version Released for Automotive Industry13.1.2026 01:00:00 CET | Press release
MarkLines Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Makoto Sakai; TYO:3901) announced its launch of the "MarkLines Gen-AI Beta Version," the new feature for B2B users in the automotive industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112383839/en/ "MarkLines Gen-AI Beta Version" can take questions in natural language and instantly give highly reliable, relevant data drawn from MarkLines’ extensive automotive database (Image: MarkLines Co., Ltd.) This AI-powered feature enables users to ask questions in natural language and instantly receive highly reliable, relevant data drawn from MarkLines’ extensive automotive database. Moreover, the system analyzes this information by leveraging the rich content across its platform and delivers clear, concise, text-based insights. By combining trusted data with advanced analytical capabilities through generative AI, this service represents a first-of-its-kind
Australian Defence Force Secures Satellite Communications on SES IS-2212.1.2026 22:30:00 CET | Press release
New agreement for uninterrupted UHF connectivity for Australian Defence Force through 2033, With Options Extending to 2041 Satellite communications solutions provider SES will provide secure uninterrupted satellite communications to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for a minimum of 16 years thanks to a new extended agreement. The service will be provided via the SES Intelsat 22 satellite and an ultra-high frequency (UHF) military communications payload. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112137182/en/ Assistant Secretary Space Systems Branch, Michael Hunt, formalizes contract negotiations for the through-life support of the IS-22 satellite with Rory Welch, senior vice-president of service delivery at SES Space and Defense. Photos: Corporal Annika Smit Under the renewed arrangement, SES will reposition the IS-22 satellite to a new orbital slot specified by the ADF, continuing a mission that has been the corne
NetApp Appoints Paul Fipps to the Board of Directors12.1.2026 22:05:00 CET | Press release
NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the intelligent data infrastructure company, today announced that Paul Fipps, President of Global Customer Operations at ServiceNow, has joined its Board of Directors. The board now has ten directors, nine of whom are independent, and 50% of whom have been appointed within the last five years. Fipps brings more than 20 years of experience driving technology-enabled growth and customer transformation. At ServiceNow, he currently leads global sales, customer success, partner ecosystems, and field operations. He previously served as EVP of Worldwide Sales at ServiceNow and as President of Under Armour Connected Fitness and Chief Experience Officer at Under Armour, overseeing global direct-to-consumer, connected fitness, and digital experiences. He also previously served on the advisory board of Quantum Metric. Fipps holds a B.S. in Information Systems, an MBA from the University of Baltimore, and is a graduate of The Wharton School’s Advanced Management Program. “P
FDA Accepts New Drug Application for Pimicotinib for the Treatment of Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor12.1.2026 20:00:00 CET | Press release
Not intended for Canada-, UK- or US-based media Merck, a leading science and technology company, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company’s new drug application (NDA) for pimicotinib as a systemic treatment for patients with tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT). The application is based on the primary results and longer-term follow-up of the global Phase 3 MANEUVER study, which demonstrated deep and durable tumor responses and meaningful improvements in clinical outcomes with pimicotinib. “With pimicotinib, we have an opportunity to significantly advance care for people living with TGCT, a painful and debilitating disease that has few effective and well-tolerated treatment options beyond surgery,” said David Weinreich, Global Head of R&D and Chief Medical Officer for the Healthcare business of Merck. “Based on clinical trial results showing not only a reduction in tumor burden, but also the ability to help alleviate symptoms like pain an
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom