Annaida Technologies, the first company to bring magnetic resonance to the scale of cells, has closed an oversubscribed Pre-Series A funding round led by HEMEX. The capital infusion will allow the company to launch its product in the fertility market and support further advancements.
The EPFL spinoff is pioneering micro magnetic resonance spectroscopy (micro-MRS) to enable non-invasive chemical analysis at microscopic scales. Their Embryospin platform (device) leverages their micro MRS technology to detect and quantify compounds found in microscopic life. This platform is already being used in top ranked academic laboratories worldwide for advanced magnetic resonance research, enabling the company to generate its first research product revenues. Additional future applications are envisioned in the broader life sciences sector.
With the closing of its pre-series A round, Annaida Technologies is preparing for market entry in the fertility sector. The secured capital will further support product development, regulatory validation, marketing and IP to consolidate the strategic company’s position in existing and emerging markets.
“These resources will help us grow our R&D activities and collaborations and establish market presence, pushing us closer to our vision of turning micro magnetic resonance into a tool that expands the boundaries of science,” said Marco Grisi, Founder & CEO of Annaida. “Specifically, by applying it to pre-implantation embryo analysis, we aim to help reduce the number of miscarriages in assisted fertility and offer a brighter future to millions of families.”
Alongside lead investor HEMEX, the round saw the participation from existing investors including Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), Excellis, EFI Lake Geneva Ventures, and members of Club degli Investitori through Simon Fiduciaria. The capital raised, combined with the support from EIC Transition (Horizon Europe) and Innosuisse (Swiss Innovation Project), strengthens Annaida’s position to mature its groundbreaking micro magnetic resonance platform into a commercial product.
“We’ve proudly supported Annaida Technologies since its inception in 2019,” said Pascal Winnen, HEMEX representative and member of Annaida’s Board of Directors. “As an early-stage investor, we are highly impressed by the company’s progress, the wide-ranging potential of its technology, particularly in the field of human fertility, and, above all, the team’s consistent ability to meet ambitious milestones and create substantial value for shareholders.”
“The fertility rate in Europe has been decreasing steadily due to evolving social behaviors, and we will likely see similar trends in other regions worldwide in the coming years. Annaida’s technology will offer millions of women access to a treatment that not only improves the success rates of assisted reproduction but also protects the integrity of the embryo by avoiding invasive biopsies. We are convinced that Annaida will bring tremendous value to both providers and patients, significantly enhancing assisted reproduction processes and ultimately establishing itself as a recognized leader in this space”, said Giovanni Fazio, notable investor through the Club degli Investitori, with relevant expertise in healthcare strategy and commercialization.
(Press release/RAN)
The new Swiss Venture Capital Report was published on 26 January. It analyses 304 financing rounds closed in 2020 and includes further article such as an interview with Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, and a list of Swiss "soonicorns". 
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