M2care Secures €26 Million to Propel Healthcare Innovations

Lyon-based health technology venture studio M2care has successfully raised €26 million in funding aimed at advancing healthcare innovations. The financing round welcomed a significant new backer, the French Tech Accélération 2 (FTA2) fund, which is managed by Bpifrance on behalf of the French government. Existing investors, including Mérieux Développement, Institut NAOS des Sciences de la Vie, and Crédit Agricole Centre-Est, also reaffirmed their support for M2care’s unique model.

This capital boost will expand M2care’s portfolio of early-stage projects, designed to translate cutting-edge research into effective health solutions. The participation of the FTA2 fund, which operates with a total investment pool of €100 million under the France 2030 initiative, underscores the French government’s commitment to fostering domestic HealthTech innovation and expediting the transition of laboratory discoveries into impactful medical products.

Innovative Approach to Healthcare

Founded in 2017 by Mérieux Développement and CEA Investissement, M2care’s mission is to bridge the gap between academia, investors, and industry. Unlike traditional investment funds, M2care operates as a venture studio, actively co-building projects alongside founders. This strategy combines a team of entrepreneurs-in-residence with an extensive international network and tailored ecosystems for each venture.

M2care aims to take promising ideas from laboratory settings to clinical and commercial realities. By providing both financial and operational support, the venture studio serves as a launchpad for health-focused startups that may face challenges in scaling their innovations.

In its current portfolio, M2care showcases three notable ventures:

– **Previa Medical**: Developing a digital medical device designed to predict and prevent medical emergencies in hospitals, potentially transforming patient monitoring and outcomes.

– **TheraSonic**: Innovating in neurology with a device that utilizes ultrasound to enhance treatment for brain diseases.

– **Rhovica Neuroimaging**: Pioneering a ventricular drainage catheter that integrates sensors to improve care for patients at risk of elevated intracranial pressure.

These examples illustrate M2care’s capability to support a diverse spectrum of HealthTech innovations, spanning predictive medicine, advanced imaging, and therapeutic devices. The studio is also exploring new projects in cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, and neurology, with additional initiatives already in development.

Strategic Investment for Future Growth

The decision by the FTA2 fund to invest in M2care is a strategic endorsement of the venture studio’s approach. Established under the Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir (PIA) and integrated into the France 2030 framework, FTA2 is specifically designed to support acceleration structures such as startup studios and incubators.

By aligning with M2care, FTA2 aims to enhance France’s ability to convert pioneering academic research into commercial ventures that provide direct benefits to patients. The fund’s involvement highlights the growing recognition of HealthTech as a vital component of national and European innovation strategies.

With €26 million now secured, M2care is well-positioned to accelerate the development of eight new healthcare projects, each targeting critical medical challenges with innovative technological solutions. The venture studio’s ability to unite scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors under one roof makes it a formidable catalyst for healthcare innovation.

In a landscape where medical needs are rapidly evolving and patient expectations are higher than ever, M2care’s model signifies a bold and essential transition. By nurturing projects from their inception and ensuring they receive the necessary financial and operational backing, M2care is carving out a significant role in shaping the future of healthcare solutions in France and beyond.

Carsten Laue, General Manager of M2care, expressed optimism about the funding, saying, “We are very pleased that France 2030’s FTA2 fund, managed on behalf of the French government by Bpifrance, is supporting our venture studio and helping to create pioneering HealthTech startups.”

Pierre Gillet, Investment Director at Bpifrance, added, “By investing in M2care, we are reaffirming our commitment to strengthening our technological sovereignty in healthcare. We are delighted to contribute to this effort on behalf of the French government.”