M2care Secures €26 Million to Propel Healthcare Innovations

Lyon-based venture studio M2care has successfully raised €26 million in funding to advance eight innovative healthcare projects. The funding round saw the entry of a new institutional investor, 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 distinctive operational model.

This fresh capital will enable M2care to expand its portfolio of early-stage projects aimed at translating research into practical health solutions. The FTA2 fund, with its €100 million investment pool under the France 2030 programme, underscores the French government’s commitment to fostering local HealthTech innovation and facilitating the transition from laboratory discoveries to impactful medical products.

Innovative Model for Healthcare Transformation

Founded in 2017 by Mérieux Développement and CEA Investissement, M2care was established with the mission of connecting academia, investors, and industry. Unlike traditional funds, M2care operates as a venture studio, actively participating in the co-development of projects alongside founders. This approach integrates entrepreneurs-in-residence and establishes tailored ecosystems for each venture.

The studio’s focus lies in transforming promising laboratory ideas into clinical and commercial realities, ensuring that innovations lead to significant enhancements in patient care and public health. By providing both financial and operational support, M2care serves as a launchpad for health-focused startups that may struggle to achieve scalability independently.

Portfolio Highlights and Strategic Importance

M2care has already showcased the effectiveness of its model through three promising ventures:

Previa Medical – This company is developing a digital medical device designed to predict and prevent medical emergencies in hospitals, which could significantly enhance patient monitoring and outcomes.

TheraSonic – Focused on neurology, TheraSonic is innovating with a device that utilizes ultrasound technology to improve treatments for brain diseases.

Rhovica Neuroimaging – This venture is pioneering a ventricular drainage catheter equipped with integrated sensors, aimed at improving care for patients at risk of heightened intracranial pressure.

These efforts illustrate M2care’s capacity to support a diverse spectrum of HealthTech innovations, spanning predictive medicine, advanced imaging, and therapeutic devices. The studio is also progressing with new projects across various specialties, including cardiology, dermatology, and neurology.

The investment from the FTA2 fund represents a strategic endorsement of M2care’s work. Established under the Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir (PIA) and integrated into France 2030, FTA2 is designed to support acceleration structures such as startup studios and incubators. By partnering with M2care, FTA2 aims to bolster France’s ability to translate cutting-edge academic research into ventures that offer direct benefits to patients.

Looking ahead, M2care’s acquisition of €26 million positions it to accelerate the development of eight new healthcare projects, each targeting critical medical challenges with innovative technological approaches. The venture studio’s capacity to unite scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors under one roof establishes it as a powerful catalyst for healthcare innovation.

In a rapidly evolving medical landscape, M2care’s model reflects a necessary shift towards nurturing projects from their inception while providing essential financial and operational backing for success. This approach is pivotal in shaping the future of healthcare solutions, both in France and internationally.

Carsten Laue, General Manager of M2care, expressed enthusiasm about the support from the FTA2 fund, stating, “We are very pleased that France 2030’s FTA 2 fund 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.”