mo:re launches lab platform to set a new standard in animal-free drug development

  • mo:re introduces a laboratory platform to automate the planning, culture, and analysis of complex 3D cell culture models. The user-friendly platform enables verifiable, standardized results without requiring expertise in specific organ systems.
  • The Hamburg-based life science start-up mo:re announced the launch of their first product at the SLAS 2025 in San Diego, the world’s leading trade show in laboratory automation
  • The commercialization is backed by a seed financing round of €2.3 million from international investors, led by HTGF.

Hamburg — mo:re, a German Life Science startup, has raised €2.3 million in seed funding to accelerate the commercialization of its lab platform for complex cell culture workflows. High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) led the round, with participation from Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg (IFH), Gilson Inc., NEDGEX, Nidobirds Ventures, and Private Investors R&R Medical and Martin Blüggel.

There is much agreement in the scientific community that organoids represent a significant step in the evolution to more representative disease modelling. The path to faster approval of more relevant drugs includes modern organoid models. This has been recognized by the FDA as well with their new guidelines clearing the path to replacing animal experiments with relevant organoid models. The field is missing the means for broad application of organoids in higher throughput that achieves reproducible results in a standardized environment.

mo:re has developed a groundbreaking lab platform, combining automation and software for planning, executing, and analysis of cell culture studies. The user-friendly platform aims to simplify cell culture, making organoids accessible as a standard lab technique and providing verifiable results. The lab automation device covers all relevant process steps, setting a new benchmark for scalability, reproducibility, and standardization of 3D cell culture models.

“With this funding, we want to establish our presence in the market and continue building our team. Now it is time to focus our resources on developing further scientific applications to unlock the potential our platform has to offer together with our customers as well as our internal R&D lab.”

Lukas Gaats – CEO at mo:re

“The Team of mo:re is poised to execute on its vision to provide easy access to a standardized way of performing 3D cell culture and obtain reproducible results for researchers worldwide.” Dr. Christian Kannemeier – Senior Investment Manager at HTGF

“Our investment in mo:re reflects our confidence in their visionary product to tackle cell culture challenges. Their platform can redefine the landscape of non-animal methods in the Life Science Industry.”

Stefanie Höhn – Senior Investment Manager at IFH

“Verifiable data in drug discovery and development are crucial for accelerating creation of new and effective pharmaceuticals. mo:re’s innovative technological approach provides an important step toward standardizing organoid growth, significantly enhancing their quality. This will not only improve the speed and reliability of drug discovery but also deliver more consistent results for research, ultimately reducing the reliance on animal testing.”

Dirk Freystadt – SVP Corporate Development at Gilson Inc.

The mo:re team (Photo: mo:re)

About HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds

HTGF is one of the leading and most active early-stage investors in Germany and Europe, financing start-ups in the fields of Deep Tech, Industrial Tech, Climate Tech, Digital Tech, Life Sciences and Chemistry. With its experienced investment team, HTGF supports start-ups in all phases of their development into international market leaders. HTGF invests in pre-seed and seed phases and can participate significantly in later-stage financing rounds. Across its funds, HTGF has over 2 billion euros under management. Since its inception in 2005, HTGF has financed more than 770 start-ups and achieved almost 200 successful exits.

Fund investors in the public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital as well as 45 companies and family offices.

For more information, please visit HTGF.de or follow us on LinkedIn.

About IFH – Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg

The Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg GmbH invests venture capital in young, innovative companies to strengthen the startup scene in Hamburg and contribute to the development of promising businesses. The fund provides open participations of up to a maximum of EUR 1.5 million per company. Investors in the fund include the city of Hamburg and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The fund is managed by IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hamburg Investment and Development Bank. For more information, visit www.innovationsstarter.com.

About Gilson

Gilson is a family-owned global manufacturer specializing in sample management, purification, and extraction solutions for the life sciences industry. We support researchers in accelerating the pace of discovery by providing easy-to-use lab devices that enhance reproducibility and traceability. By collaborating closely with the scientific community, we have created a trusted portfolio of essential laboratory tools, automated pipetting systems, and automated sample separation instruments. Supported by worldwide research and development, service, and support, Gilson is dedicated to enabling verifiable science and making laboratory work easier for our customers.

About Nedgex

NEDGEX is the investment arm of the NETZSCH Group, aiming to build a portfolio of innovative early stage B2B deep tech startups. The NETZSCH Group is a globally operating, family-owned manufacturing company headquartered in Germany. Their three business units – Analyzing & Testing, Grinding & Dispersing, Pumps & Systems – stand for custom solutions at the highest level. More than 4,600 employees in 36 countries, over 1,800 registered patents and a global sales and service network guarantee customer proximity and competent service since 1873. The company operates across various sectors, including Chemicals & Minerals, Food & Pharma, Environment & Energy Solutions, and Material Analytics.

As a strategic partner, besides financial investment, NEDGEX offers unique operational support to enable startups to scale effectively. Together with NETZSCH, we provide industry insights, access to costumers, and critical resources such as software development capabilities, cutting-edge equipment, and technical expertise to grow, innovate, and achieve enduring success.

For further information about our investment opportunities, visit nedgex.com or contact Felix Schachi, Head of Corporate Venturing & Investments.

About Nidobirds

Nidobirds Ventures invests in seed-stage startups, building long-term partnerships with companies led by strong founding teams and offering differentiated technology-driven products. As value investor, Nidobirds Ventures focuses on the DACH region and the United Kingdom.

 

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