Press Release

ZEISS and microbiome analytics firm Perseus Biomics establish partnership

ZEISS’ investment in Perseus Biomics marks the start of a technology collaboration with the microbiome analytics startup based in Leuven, Belgium

2 June 2020

Oberkochen (Germany), Leuven (Belgium) | 02 June 2020 | ZEISS Group

The partnership announced today aims to develop an optical technology for microbiome research, specifically the quantitative analysis of the microbiome.

ZEISS can draw on its longstanding, extensive knowledge in the development, manufacturing and marketing of optical and photonics systems, as well as the digital solutions that go with them – particularly in quality measuring technology. At the same time, the company is actively shaping global markets in the field. Under the partnership agreement, Perseus now stands to benefit from this expertise.

“The microbiome is a field of strong research interest with the potential to fundamentally change our understanding of living systems. It has substantial implications for medicine, agriculture and other areas. Abundance analysis of the microbiome is one key element of this research and Perseus’ innovative optical technology has the potential to enable it at a new level. The investment is a way of consistently implementing our strategy in the field of Advanced Sensor and Data Solutions,” says Gerrit Schulte, Head of ZEISS Ventures.

“We are pleased to announce this Partnership with ZEISS, and we see it as a formidable opportunity to accelerate the development and launch of Perseus MAP platform and establish it as a pioneer in the field of microbiome abundance mapping. We have assembled a first class scientific and R&D team that ambitions to revolutionize microbiome analysis, making it faster, more precise and more affordable, while opening the way for broad reach personalized medicine. Access to ZEISS technology expertise in optics and its global market reach will be critical in the success of Perseus” says Walid N. Hanna, Executive Chairman of Perseus.

Further information

ZEISS Ventures

Press contact Jörg Nitschke

Head of Corporate Brand, Communications and Public Affairs
ZEISS Group

About ZEISS and Perseus Biomics

ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling more than 6.4 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2019).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership.

With over 31,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 60 sales and service companies, 30 production sites and 25 development sites. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

Perseus Biomics

Perseus is a young enterprise arising from research conducted at top European research institutions. It aims to develop a novel method for microbiome analytics and to offer it as a service to the research community. Its innovative optical technology targets cost-effective, quantitative, reliable and fast analysis relevant for the rapidly growing microbiome research field.