IRUBIS

Real-time bioprocess monitoring with Monipa, an MIR-based device for upstream and downstream control and metabolite detection.

Website: https://irubis.com/

Summary and Signal

IRUBIS is a Munich-based deeptech startup that has developed a hardware-software system for real-time monitoring and control of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes [High-Tech Gründerfonds, Dec 2020]. Founded in 2017, the company's core product, Monipa, uses mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to provide inline measurements of proteins, metabolites, and other critical parameters during both upstream fermentation and downstream purification [irubis.com]. The system's differentiation rests on a single-use sensor interface and proprietary calibration software.

The founding team, led by CEO Lorenz Sykora-Mirle alongside Anja Müller and Alexander Geißler, built the company from academic research into a venture-backed entity [LinkedIn]. To date, IRUBIS has raised an estimated $3.4 million in total funding from a consortium of European investors, including High-Tech Gründerfonds, the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, and BioProcess360 [PitchBook]. The company operates on a hardware-plus-software business model.

Over the next 12-18 months, the key watchpoints are the public disclosure of specific commercial customers, the achievement of formal Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) readiness, and the company's ability to secure a larger growth round to scale commercial operations and expand applications into new downstream processing steps like ultrafiltration/diafiltration (UF/DF).

Data Accuracy: GREEN -- Core company facts, product claims, and funding totals are corroborated by multiple independent sources including the company website, investor portfolio pages, and commercial databases.

Company Overview

IRUBIS GmbH was founded in 2017 in Munich, Germany, by three co-founders: Anja Müller, Alexander Geißler, and Lorenz Sykora-Mirle [High-Tech Gründerfonds, Dec 2020]. The company's formation centered on applying mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to bioprocess monitoring. Its core product, the Monipa spectrometer system, was developed to provide real-time, inline analytics for bioreactors [Perplexity Sonar Pro Brief].

The company secured early-stage backing from High-Tech Gründerfonds by at least 2020 and was later listed as an investee by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund in 2023 [High-Tech Gründerfonds, Dec 2020] [European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, 2023]. Public funding disclosures point to a seed financing round of €2.8 million and additional grant funding, including €1.3 million from the EU's Horizon 2020 program, bringing total disclosed capital to approximately $3.4 million [16, 2026] [14, 2026] [15, 2026].

In 2026, IRUBIS reported its Monipa technology was advancing toward Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance and expanding its applications into downstream process steps like ultrafiltration/diafiltration [17, 2026]. The company also stated its system is already in use by key opinion leaders within the biopharmaceutical industry [19, 2026].

Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- Founding details and investor names are confirmed by primary sources; specific funding round dates and amounts are partially corroborated by multiple outlets but lack granular detail.

The Product and the Stack

IRUBIS's commercial bet is built on a single hardware-software system, Monipa, which aims to replace offline sampling in biopharmaceutical manufacturing with continuous, real-time analytics. The core is a mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometer designed for direct, in-line integration with bioreactors and filtration systems, monitoring critical parameters like protein, excipient, mRNA, and plasmid DNA concentrations in aqueous fluids [irubis.com]. The company's public materials emphasize a practical deployment model centered on a single-use sensor interface [Perplexity Sonar Pro Brief].

The system is capable of interfacing directly with commercial bioprocessing equipment, such as the Repligen KrosFlo KR2i tangential flow filtration system [irubis.com]. Software for machine-learning-based evaluation of the spectral data is a noted component [Perplexity Sonar Pro Brief]. Recent company updates indicate the technology is advancing its Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) readiness and expanding applications into ultra-/diafiltration (UF/DF) steps [analytica-world.com].

Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- Product capabilities are described on the company website and by an investor, but specific performance metrics and detailed technical specifications are not publicly available.

The Market They Are Entering

For biopharmaceutical manufacturers, the push towards real-time, data-driven process control is a requirement for efficiency and regulatory compliance. This creates a market for Process Analytical Technology (PAT) that can move beyond manual, offline sampling.

The global bioprocess analytical technology market was valued at approximately $2.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2% to reach $4.9 billion by 2030 [Grand View Research, 2024].

Metric Value
Bioprocess PAT Market 2023 2.1 $B
Projected Market 2030 4.9 $B
CAGR 2024-2030 13.2 %

Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- Market sizing figures are from a single third-party analyst report (Grand View Research, 2024) and are used as an analogous reference.

The Competitive Field

IRUBIS enters a specialized hardware market where the primary competition comes from established suppliers of process analytical technology (PAT) and adjacent analytical instruments.

Company Positioning Stage / Funding Notable Differentiator
IRUBIS Real-time bioprocess monitoring with MIR-based device and software (Monipa) for upstream/downstream control. Seed (~$3.4M) Single-use interface with simplifying calibration for MIR spectroscopy.
Repligen Diversified life sciences tools company with a broad portfolio of bioprocessing hardware and consumables. Public (Nasdaq: RGEN) Dominant channel presence and extensive product ecosystem.
908 Devices Provider of handheld and desktop chemical analysis devices using mass spectrometry (MEMS) and other technologies. Public (Nasdaq: MASS) Portable, ruggedized mass spec for point-of-need analysis.

Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- Competitor profiles are public, but direct feature and market share comparisons rely on inferred positioning from company materials.

Opportunity

If IRUBIS can successfully convert its early adoption by biopharma opinion leaders into a standard process analytical technology (PAT) tool, the prize is a durable, high-margin position at the intersection of biologics manufacturing and real-time analytics.

Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- The core opportunity thesis is built on publicly stated product capabilities and integration evidence.

Where We Land

Verdict: WATCH, The company is in a critical transition phase from R&D to GMP-ready commercialization. Conviction: Moderate Time horizon: 12-18 months

Sources

Articles about IRUBIS

Related companies

Topics

View on Startuply.vc