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§ Private Profile · Im Breitspiel 2-4 Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg 69126, DE
Luxendo is a technology company.
Luxendo develops and manufactures proprietary light-sheet fluorescence microscopy instruments, specifically Single Plane Illumination Microscopes (SPIM). These advanced systems are designed to image living biological specimens with minimal phototoxicity and rapid acquisition speeds. The technology incorporates sophisticated optical concepts and application-centric solutions, along with robust post-acquisition processing software, to provide high-resolution, dynamic insights into biological processes.
The company was established in September 2015 as a spin-off from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Dr. Lars Hufnagel, a Group Leader within EMBL’s Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, spearheaded the venture, bringing his team’s pioneering work in advanced SPIM technology from the laboratory to a commercial platform. The founding insight stemmed from the observed need to make these powerful microscopy tools more broadly available to the scientific community.
Luxendo’s products serve a global clientele of life science researchers, particularly those in academic and industrial settings focused on biomedical research and the study of living organisms. The company envisions advancing scientific understanding by providing accessible, state-of-the-art imaging capabilities that enable detailed observation of dynamic biological systems and accelerate discovery in diverse fields.
Luxendo has raised $15.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Luxendo has raised $15.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Luxendo has raised $15.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $8.0M Series A in January 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2017 | $8M Series A | Embl Enterprise Management Technology Transfer, EMBL Ventures, LSP | EQT Life Sciences | Announced |
| Oct 1, 2015 | $7M Series A | Stefan Herr, Joachim Rothe | EQT Life Sciences | Announced |
Luxendo has raised $15.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Luxendo's investors include EMBL Enterprise Management Technology Transfer, EMBL Ventures, LSP, EQT Life Sciences, Stefan Herr, Joachim Rothe.
# Luxendo: Advanced Light-Sheet Microscopy Pioneer
Luxendo develops and manufactures proprietary light-sheet fluorescence microscopy instruments based on single plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) technology.[1][2] The company serves the research community—particularly those studying small organism embryology, live-cell imaging, brain development, and optogenetics—by providing imaging solutions that dramatically reduce sampling times and photodamage compared to conventional confocal microscopes.[3]
The core problem Luxendo solves is a fundamental challenge in biological research: traditional microscopy techniques damage living specimens through phototoxicity while requiring long acquisition times. SPIM technology addresses this by sequentially illuminating thin slices of samples, enabling scientists to observe living organisms for extended periods without photodamage.[3] Since its acquisition by Bruker in May 2017, Luxendo has operated as part of Bruker's Fluorescence Microscopy Business Unit within the Nano Surfaces Division, gaining access to significant manufacturing and distribution resources.[2]
Luxendo was founded in September 2015 as a spin-off from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany.[3] The company emerged from the technical leadership of Dr. Lars Hufnagel, Group Leader of the EMBL Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, who developed robust product solutions based on patented SPIM technology.[3]
The timing of Luxendo's founding was strategic: Nature Science had designated SPIM technology—also known as light-sheet microscopy—as "Method of the Year 2014," validating the scientific importance of the approach.[1] The company rapidly commercialized this recognition, launching two flagship microscopes in 2016: the MuVi-SPIM (for fast 3D imaging of living objects without sample rotation) and the InVi-SPIM (for gentle 3D imaging of cell cultures and embryonic samples).[3] This swift product-to-market trajectory demonstrated strong early traction and attracted Bruker's acquisition interest within less than two years of founding.
Luxendo operates at the intersection of two significant trends: the democratization of advanced microscopy and the growing demand for non-invasive biological imaging. As research increasingly focuses on understanding dynamic biological processes in living systems—from embryonic development to neural circuits—conventional microscopy techniques become limiting. SPIM technology addresses this bottleneck by enabling researchers to observe living specimens over extended periods, unlocking new research possibilities in developmental biology, neuroscience, and cell biology.
The company's acquisition by Bruker reflects the broader consolidation in scientific instrumentation, where specialized innovators are integrated into larger platforms to accelerate market adoption and cross-selling opportunities. By joining Bruker's portfolio, Luxendo gained manufacturing scale and global distribution while maintaining its technical focus on light-sheet microscopy innovation.
Luxendo represents a successful model of academic innovation commercialization: a cutting-edge technique validated by the scientific community (Method of the Year 2014) was rapidly spun into a viable product company and subsequently acquired by an established player with distribution muscle. The company's integration into Bruker positions it to influence the broader microscopy market by making light-sheet imaging more accessible to research institutions worldwide.
Looking forward, Luxendo's trajectory will likely be shaped by expanding applications in cleared tissue imaging, whole-brain imaging, and optogenetics—areas where SPIM's speed and gentleness provide distinct advantages. As live-cell and developmental imaging become increasingly central to drug discovery and basic research, Luxendo's technology addresses a fundamental need that will only grow more pressing. The company's success demonstrates that specialized imaging solutions with clear scientific validation can attract significant investment and integration into larger ecosystems, even in the highly competitive microscopy market.