Xsensio Raises $7M for Biosensing
Swiss deep-tech firm Xsensio SA has raised an oversubscribed $7M Series A to advance its continuous biochemical monitoring platform. The technology aims to provide near real-time tracking of biomarkers, a key capability for advanced bioprocess monitoring and in-line analytics in cell and gene therapy.
The new funding was led by San Francisco-based WI Harper, with involvement from Privilège Ventures and the European Innovation Council. This Series A round will help Xsensio push its Lab-on-Skin® wearable biosensing platform into clinical validation. The goal is to provide continuous, real-time biochemical data to aid clinical decisions both inside and outside of hospital settings. Xsensio, a 2014 spinoff from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), is led by CEO and co-founder Esmeralda Megally. The company is developing a miniaturized, modular sensing platform that analyzes biochemical data from interstitial fluid on the skin's surface. This technology aims to track a wide range of biomarkers like electrolytes, metabolites, proteins, and hormones. A key element of Xsensio's strategy is a long-term collaboration with Texas Instruments. This partnership provides crucial expertise in CMOS integration, miniaturization, and the large-scale manufacturing of biosensing systems, which is vital for the company's ability to scale its technology reliably and cost-effectively. The ability to continuously monitor bioprocesses is a critical need in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, where even minor variations can impact product quality and lead to batch failure. Real-time monitoring of critical parameters like glucose and lactate is essential for optimizing viral vector production and ensuring consistency. Technologies that provide immediate feedback without disrupting the manufacturing process are highly sought after to improve yields and reduce costs. This type of continuous data stream is a foundational component for creating "digital twins" of bioprocesses. By feeding real-time sensor data into a virtual model, manufacturers can simulate, predict, and optimize operations, ultimately reducing out-of-spec events and accelerating process development. This aligns with the broader push toward Industry 4.0 in biomanufacturing, which uses data exchange and automation to make production more efficient and reliable.
