Press Release

ZEISS invests in arcoris bio to advance next-generation digital pathology technology

Funding will accelerate commercialization of its breakthrough biomarker detection platform MUSE^®.

6 November 2025

Oberkochen, Germany | 6 November 2025 | ZEISS Group

ZEISS Ventures participated in an oversubscribed financing round of CHF 6.3 million for arcoris bio, a Swiss start-up specializing in a platform technology aimed at enhancing biomolecule detection and imaging for spatial multiomics solutions.

The funding round, co-led by ZEISS Ventures and Ventura Ace, with contributions from Zürcher Kantonalbank and private investors, will enable arcoris bio to industrialize MUSE^® (Multiplex Universal Signal Enhancement), expand strategic partnerships and launch new products.

MUSE^®, arcoris bio’s nanotechnology platform for biomarker detection and signal amplification, enables simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers with unprecedented ease and sensitivity. By facilitating the measurement of several difficult-to-detect biomarkers within a single sample at higher throughput, MUSE^® is poised to play a pivotal role in the evolution of digital pathology.

arcoris bio’s MUSE^® for enhanced biomolecule detection and imaging.

"We are confident that arcoris bio's MUSE^® technology will pave the way for groundbreaking innovations. By enabling enhanced diagnostics and supporting applications such as drug discovery and precision medicine, it addresses a critical gap in the market," states Prof. Dr Boris Hofmann, Head of ZEISS Ventures.

"Attracting two lead investors with deep industry expertise is a strong validation of our technical and business strategy. This support empowers us in our mission of transforming biomarker detection and digital pathology," commented Simon Restrepo, Co-founder and CSO arcoris bio.

Unlocking deeper insights into tissue microenvironments and cellular dynamics, arcoris bio's innovative technology paves the way for transformative progress in spatial multiomics and digital pathology.

Press Contact Julian Bosch

Corporate Brand, Communications and Public Affairs
ZEISS Group

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology company in the optics and optoelectronics industry. The ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling around 11 billion euros in its four segments Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (updated: 30 September 2024).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for life sciences and materials research, as well as 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 Industry 4.0 as well as a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping technological progress and, through its solutions, is extending the horizon of the world of optics and associated areas. ZEISS' significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 14% of its revenue in research and development work – ZEISS has a long tradition of high expenditure in these areas. This also represents the company's investment in the future.

With more than 46,500 employees, ZEISS operates in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service sites, 40 research and development sites and 35 production sites worldwide (as of 31 March 2025). The headquarters of the company, which was founded in Jena in 1846, is located in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of Germany’s largest foundations committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

About ZEISS Ventures

ZEISS Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of the ZEISS Group, makes investments and actively manages a portfolio of start-up companies. The goal is to invest in and partner with deep-tech start-ups, which go beyond ZEISS' core business and have the potential to disrupt and innovate existing technologies and business models. ZEISS Ventures seeks to empower start-ups not only with financial support but also with access to its resources, expertise, and global network as a deep-tech corporation to foster and accelerate the development and commercialization of market-shaping innovations.

For more information, please visit www.zeiss.com/ventures.

About arcoris bio

arcoris bio develops next-generation technologies for biomarker detection in research and diagnostics. Its flagship MUSE^® platform provides universal, programmable signal amplification to enable highly sensitive and multiplex assays that drive the future of digital pathology. The company was founded by MUSE^® inventors Simon Restrepo and Scott E. Fraser, together with entrepreneur H. Kaspar Binz, and is headquartered in Schlieren, Switzerland.

Further information at www.arcorisbio.com.