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§ Private Profile · 135, Rue Émilien Gautier Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur 13290, FR
SuperSonic Imagine is a technology company.
SuperSonic Imagine develops and markets advanced diagnostic medical ultrasound systems, leveraging a pioneering approach to multi-parametric imaging. Its core offerings, including the Aixplorer and SuperSonic MACH platforms, utilize proprietary UltraFast Imaging technology to acquire images significantly faster than conventional systems. This technology integrates B-Mode, ShearWave, and PLanewave UltraSensitive techniques, providing high-frame-rate imaging and real-time quantitative maps of tissue viscoelastic properties.
The company was established in 2005 in Aix-en-Provence, France. It originated from an insight into advancing ultrasound capabilities beyond traditional limitations, leading to the development of Real-Time ShearWave Elastography. This innovation provides reproducible quantification of key clinical parameters and allows for reliable, non-invasive analysis of tissue stiffness, significantly enhancing diagnostic confidence.
SuperSonic Imagine's systems are employed by medical practitioners across numerous specialties, including radiology, hepatology, urology, and obstetrics/gynecology, as well as in research settings. The company aims to provide precision, efficiency, and reliability in disease diagnosis and management, equipping clinicians with comprehensive tools to characterize various pathologies.
SuperSonic Imagine has raised $71.0M across 2 funding rounds.
SuperSonic Imagine has raised $71.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
SuperSonic Imagine has raised $71.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $45.0M Series C in November 2010.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2010 | $45M Series C | Merieux Equity Partners | Andera Partners | Announced |
| Oct 1, 2008 | $26M Series B | — | Andera Partners | Announced |
SuperSonic Imagine has raised $71.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
SuperSonic Imagine's investors include Merieux Equity Partners, Andera Partners.
SuperSonic Imagine is a French medical technology company specializing in advanced ultrasound imaging systems. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, it develops the Aixplorer® platform, featuring proprietary UltraFast® and ShearWave® Elastography technologies for real-time tissue characterization, serving radiologists and clinicians diagnosing conditions like liver disease, breast masses, and vascular issues.[1][2][3][4] As a subsidiary of Hologic Hub Ltd., it targets global markets including Europe, China, and the US, with 165 employees and a focus on innovative modes like Angio PL.U.S.™ and Needle PL.U.S.™ to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed.[1][4][5]
The company solves key challenges in ultrasound by enabling detection, characterization, and potential treatment of palpable and non-palpable masses through MultiWave™ technology, backed by multicenter studies confirming clinical utility in chronic liver disease and breast imaging.[2][3] Growth has been driven by clinical validations, such as the BE1 breast study and partnerships like with Hologic, positioning it as a leader in elastography despite historical sales data showing regional emphasis on China and Europe up to 2020.[3][5]
SuperSonic Imagine was founded in 2005 by Jacques Souquet, PhD, a French ultrasound expert and company president, and Claude Cohen-Bacrie, who together pioneered efforts to revolutionize ultrasound imaging.[3][4] From the outset in Aix-en-Provence, they faced the challenge of convincing radiologists that their Aixplorer® system offered more than incremental improvements—it introduced breakthrough MultiWave™ technology for enhanced mass detection and characterization.[2][3]
Early traction came from clinical milestones, including the 2008 Breast Elastography 1 (BE1) multicenter study led by Professor David Cosgrove, involving 956 cases and demonstrating high reproducibility and improved breast ultrasound specificity, as published in Radiology and European Radiology journals.[3] Pivotal moments included launching ShearWave Elastography for liver applications, ECR 2010 symposium results, and a 2010 exclusive partnership with Hologic, which evolved into SuperSonic Imagine operating as its subsidiary.[1][3]
SuperSonic Imagine rides the wave of precision diagnostics in medical imaging, where ultrasound's non-invasive, real-time advantages are amplified by AI-like speed and elastography amid rising demand for non-radiation alternatives to MRI/CT.[2][3][4] Timing aligns with global needs for chronic disease management—like liver fibrosis from NAFLD—and breast cancer screening, fueled by aging populations and healthcare digitization in markets like China and Europe.[3][5]
Market forces favoring it include validated clinical superiority (e.g., ShearWave's utility in Europe/China studies) and Hologic's distribution muscle, influencing the ecosystem by setting elastography standards and pushing ultrasound toward therapeutic potential.[1][3] This elevates competitors and spurs adoption, reducing biopsy reliance and enhancing point-of-care decisions.
SuperSonic Imagine's trajectory points to expanded Ultrasound ReImagine™ developments, leveraging UltraFast® for AI-integrated, multi-modal diagnostics amid elastography's mainstreaming.[4] Trends like portable systems, tele-radiology, and personalized medicine will shape it, potentially via Hologic synergies for global scale-up beyond 2020's China/Europe focus.[1][5]
Its influence may evolve as a benchmark for quantitative ultrasound, driving ecosystem-wide innovation in real-time tissue analytics—cementing the 2005 vision of transforming a staple technology into a precision powerhouse.[2][3]