French Startup Using AI and Click Chemistry to Speed Up Microbial Detection Raises €5M
Diamidex, a Marseille-based company developing microbiological testing tools for industrial and environmental labs, has expanded the international reach of its MICA platform. The system integrates solid-phase cytometry, AI-assisted image analysis, and reagent kits—including one based on click-chemistry techniques described in the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
MICA in use
MICA is intended to reduce the time required to detect microbial contamination, while remaining compatible with traditional culture-based protocols. According to Diamidex, reported time-to-result reductions include:
- Legionella pneumophila: from 14 days to 48 hours
- Escherichia coli: from 1 day to 6 hours
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa: from 7 days to 24 hours
- Alicyclobacillus: from 9 days to 24 hours
The system is designed to operate without the need for a trained specialist and is marketed as a drop-in option for existing lab workflows.
Commercial rollout and funding
Diamidex reports that since early 2024, it has signed 17 distribution agreements and installed 14 systems across multiple regions. The company also states that by the end of Q1 2025, it had reached approximately half of its projected annual revenue.
A €5 million funding round is now underway, supported by existing investor PureTerra Ventures and a public offering on the Invesdor platform. The company indicates that proceeds will go toward global commercial expansion.
Diamidex distribution map
Founded in 2014, Diamidex commercializes technologies developed in collaboration with CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, and Université Paris-Sud. The company's portfolio includes testing hardware, reagents, and software for use in quality control across water systems, food production, and industrial microbiology.
Topics: Startups & Deals
