Successful spin-off from micro-optics at IMTEK achieves great success
Phaseform GmbH, an innovative leader in adaptive optics technology, announces that it has been awarded with over €6M funding from the highly competitive EIC Accelerator program. This funding will propel the company’s groundbreaking technology, Deformable Phase Plates (DPP), towards advancing optical imaging capabilities in ophthalmology and microscopy.
Traditional imaging methods are not adaptive and are challenged to provide the resolution needed for the most accurate diagnosis, close inspection and new scientific discoveries. DPPs represent a leap forward in the field of optical components and can enable optical systems to achieve up to 10x improvement in image resolution, for example in ophthalmic diagnostic systems for non-invasive imaging of the human retina at the cellular level. This facilitates early diagnosis and effective treatment of eye diseases, thereby raising the quality of life for our aging population. DPPs also improve resolution and depth of field in life science microscopy, accelerating research in neuroscience, cell biology, cancer research and pharmacology.
As Phaseform transitions from prototype to product development, it has secured a robust IP portfolio and positioned itself for significant market penetration in the fields of optical microscopy and ophthalmic diagnostics. Both sectors are poised for significant growth and validation by key industry players forecasts a steady revenue stream, further solidifying the company's market position.
"Our DPP technology represents a major leap forward in the capabilities of optical components, enabling clinicians and microscopy users to achieve unparalleled clarity and detail," said Dr. Pouya Rajaeipour, CTO of Phaseform. "We are well positioned to make adaptive optics available as a standard technology in a wide range of optical and diagnostic instruments," added Dr. Stefan Weber, CEO of Phaseform. “The success of Phaseform shows how our fundamental research in optics and fluidics undertaken in the Laboratory for Micro-optics can evolve into high-tech products which will revolutionize the way we do optical imaging”, adds Prof. Dr. Hans Zappe from the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK).
The EIC Accelerator funding will enable Phaseform to accelerate the commercialization of DPP technology and enable a future of new scientific frontiers where the fruits of high-resolution imaging are universally accessible.
About Phaseform:
Phaseform GmbH (https://www.phaseform.com/) is a leading developer of innovative optical solutions, specializing in adaptive optics for high-resolution imaging. A spin-off from the University of Freiburg, Germany, Phaseform is dedicated to the advancement of imaging technologies that improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes in medical and research applications.
About EIC Accelerator:
The EIC Accelerator, part of Horizon Europe, supports start-ups and SMEs with groundbreaking innovations through grants up to €2.5 million and equity investments up to €15 million. It also offers extensive coaching, mentoring, and networking to foster market creation and disruption. For more details, visit eic.ec.europa.eu.
Link to original press release: https://www.phaseform.com/post/6m-in-eic-accelerator-funding
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Hans Zappe
Department of Microsystems Engineering – IMTEK
Gisela and Erwin Sick Chair of Micro-optics
E-Mail: hans.zappe@imtek.uni-freiburg.de
Kerstin Steiger-Merx
Representative PR/Marketing
Faculty of Engineering
University of Freiburg
Tel.: 0761/203-8056
E-Mail: steiger-merx@tf.uni-freiburg.de