FluoSphera, a Switzerland-based biotechnology company developing advanced platforms for drug safety and efficacy testing, has raised €1.23 million (CHF 1.15 million) in new funding.
The financing round was led by Soulmates Ventures alongside a Swiss business angel, with participation from IndieBio in New York. The capital will support further development and international expansion of FluoSphera’s preclinical testing technology.
Addressing the limits of traditional preclinical models
Drug development remains a high-risk and resource-intensive process, with a large share of candidates failing during clinical trials. One of the main contributors is the limited ability of existing preclinical models to accurately predict how compounds will behave in the human body.
Conventional two-dimensional cell cultures do not reflect complex biological interactions, while animal models often fail to translate reliably to human outcomes. These gaps can result in overlooked toxicities or misleading efficacy signals, leading to late-stage failures and increased development costs.
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A multiplexed approach to human-relevant testing
FluoSphera has developed a multiplexed in vitro platform designed to improve the predictive power of preclinical testing. The company’s patented technology enables multiple human tissue models to be combined within a single experiment, with each tissue type independently tracked through proprietary fluorescent coding.
This system allows researchers to observe organ-to-organ interactions and assess both therapeutic effects and potential adverse reactions earlier in the development pipeline. By generating more human-relevant data at an early stage, the platform supports better-informed decisions before progressing to animal studies or clinical trials.
Accelerating safer and more efficient drug development
According to Dr Clélia Bourgoint, CEO and co-founder of FluoSphera, the company is building a new generation of preclinical tools aimed at improving efficiency and reliability in drug discovery.
The platform is designed to reduce development risk, shorten timelines and lower costs, while aligning with evolving regulatory expectations that encourage reduced reliance on animal testing. By enhancing human relevance in preclinical evaluation, FluoSphera aims to help drug developers bring safer and more effective therapies to patients faster.
Next steps and international growth
The newly secured funding will be used to expand FluoSphera’s business development activities, support integration of the platform into pharmaceutical and biotech workflows, and further develop AI-driven image analysis capabilities.
In parallel, the company plans to scale its presence across the United States and Europe, while laying the groundwork for entry into selected Asian markets.
About FluoSphera
FluoSphera S.A. is a Swiss biotechnology company providing high-throughput, systemic in vitro solutions for drug discovery. Its platform enables more accurate prediction of drug efficacy and safety by combining multiple human tissue models in a single experiment, helping reduce reliance on animal testing and improve decision-making in preclinical development.
