Gilde Healthcare today announces the combined private equity investments in Artinis Medical Systems (Netherlands) and NIRx Medical Technologies (Germany/United States), both pioneers in functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) solutions. This dual transaction brings together two highly complementary companies, establishing a new global leader in fNIRS.
Advancing fNIRS technology
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy is a differentiated neuroimaging technology that offers unique advantages over traditional brain imaging methods such as fMRI and EEG. The technology offers scientists a new perspective on understanding the functions of the human brain, enabling, high-impact, neuroscience research worldwide. With its strong scientific foundation in basic research, fNIRS is increasingly adopted in applied research environments, unlocking its potential in therapeutic areas such as neurodegenerative diseases, mental health, stroke rehabilitation and developmental neuroscience.
Joining forces for innovation
Artinis and NIRx, both recognized as market leaders with superior technology and support, will continue to operate from their current locations and under their existing brand names. The founders and current management teams of both companies remain actively involved. The newly formed group will leverage its complementary product offerings, shared expertise, integrated R&D, and increased scale to accelerate innovation and commercial growth.
The shared vision is to develop the newly formed group in the go-to platform for neuroimaging- and related research tools while driving innovation across (multi-)modalities. The new platform aims to enhance the adoption of fNIRS in applied neuroscience by setting industry standards, and by making the technology more accessible to academic researchers globally. Apart from organic growth, the group will pursue additional add-on acquisitions in line with this vision.
Gilde’s entrepreneurial investment strategy to drive better care at lower cost
This transaction exemplifies Gilde Healthcare’s entrepreneurial investment strategy, which focuses on partnering with founders and managers to accelerate growth and develop organizations in attractive healthcare niches. The investment via two parallel transactions was executed in a proprietary setting, leveraging Gilde’s own developed investment thesis, broad network and deep expertise in the research tools sector.
By combining Artinis and NIRx, Gilde Healthcare enables the formation of a global market leader with the ability to fuel ground-breaking neuroscience research that addresses the growing complexity and prevalence of brain-related conditions. This ultimately contributes to better care and lower cost for the healthcare system.
Willy Colier, co-founder and CEO of Artinis, commented: “Roeland, my co-founder, and I are proud of Artinis’ journey over the past 24 years. We have built a company known for its great products, fantastic people, and satisfied customers. Joining forces with NIRx is an exciting step that will enhance the value we provide to both our current and future customers. We look forward to this new phase as we leverage our combined scale and expertise, benefiting from the support of Gilde Healthcare. “
Patrick Britz, CEO of NIRx, commented: “Constant innovation has made functional near-infrared spectroscopy a rapidly growing and highly productive solution for neuroscience. Now, with the strong support of Gilde Healthcare, two highly skilled teams, NIRx and Artinis, are joining forces to accelerate these advancements. I am genuinely thrilled about the possibilities this partnership unlocks, fNIRS is just at its beginning.”
Boyd Rutten, Investment Director at Gilde Healthcare, commented: “These parallel transactions are an excellent example of our entrepreneurial investment strategy. By bringing both companies together, we are creating a platform that will lead innovation and makes brain imaging tools more accessible to researchers globally. We want to thank the founders of Artinis and NIRx for their trust and express our excitement about working together going forward.”
Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
About Gilde Healthcare
Gilde Healthcare is a specialized healthcare investor managing over €2.6 billion across two fund strategies: Venture&Growth and Private Equity. The Venture&Growth fund of Gilde Healthcare invests in fast growing companies active in digital health, medtech and therapeutics, based in Europe and North America. The Private Equity fund of Gilde Healthcare participates in profitable lower mid-market healthcare companies based in North-Western Europe. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.gildehealthcare.com.
