Paris-based Chipiron, a deeptech company on a mission to end cancer through scalable MRI technologies, has secured $17M (nearly €14.94M) in a Series A round of funding.
The investment was led by Blast, with participation from the EIC Fund and iXcore, and support from France2030 (SGI), the EIC Accelerator (European Commission), and Bpifrance.
Since its launch in 2020, Chipiron has steadily built up its funding. In 2021, it secured $1.1M in pre-seed funding from business angels and Entrepreneur First. Between 2022 and 2023, $1.1M in public support helped advance early research and development. In 2023, a $2.7M seed round led by Exor Ventures and Unruly Capital supported further progress.
This brings Chipiron’s total funding to over $22M, combining equity investment and public support.
Anthony Bourbon, Founder and CEO of Blast.Club, says, “Chipiron is exactly the kind of biotech we want to boost at Blast. They’re making possible what traditional medicine still struggles to do: detect life-threatening diseases early. A major public health issue, breakthrough technology, and a strong team. Proud to support them through Blast.Club.”
Hervé Arditty, President of iXcore, adds, “iXcore chose to invest in Chipiron for three reasons: the team is outstanding, the science and technology behind this MRI are perfectly mastered, and the company is clearly offering a game-changing product.”
The EIC Fund mentions that its investment in Chipiron aligns with its mission to back European deeptech, particularly when it involves a major technological advancement in a key sector. Since its launch in 2020, the EIC Fund has supported close to 40 companies in medical technologies, working alongside leading venture capital investors in Europe and other regions.
Making MRI accessible everywhere, for everyone
Founded by Evan Kervella and Dimitri Labat, Chipiron is working to make MRI technology available in more places and for more people.
The company focuses on developing a compact MRI system that can be used in a wider range of settings, including care centres, clinics, and mobile units.
Chipiron’s scanner is designed to be easier to install and operate than traditional MRI machines. It also allows scans for individuals often excluded from standard MRI procedures, such as those with implants or those who are unable to remain still or comfortable in standard machines.
By lowering the cost and simplifying the use of MRI, Chipiron aims to expand access to this imaging method around the world.
The company is backed by multiple public and private investors and continues to develop its technology with the goal of starting clinical trials in the coming years.
Capital utilisation
Chipiron will use its new funding to advance the development of its miniaturised MRI scanner and prepare initial systems for hospital use. The company plans to complete research and development, build clinical prototypes using ultra-low-field MRI, and begin patient trials in 2026.
Over the next three to five years, Chipiron aims to achieve its first clinical application, gain regulatory approvals from the FDA and CE, and deploy 100 systems. Expansion in the US market will be a central part of its strategy.
The company’s broader objective is to increase MRI access and support the growth of a wider medical imaging network.
Evan Kervella, CEO and co-founder, says, “This fundraising marks a major turning point for Chipiron, as it validates both our technological approach and the clinical impact we aim to achieve. Thanks to the trust of our investors, we now have the means to complete our R&D phase and begin clinical investigations in hospitals as early as next year.”
“Our goal has remained the same since day one: to transform MRI accessibility and fundamentally change medical care worldwide.”
Dimitri Labat, CSO and co-founder, adds, “We will unlock Chipiron’s most important value inflection point early next year by demonstrating the clinical relevance of our technology.”
“Thanks to this round led by Blast, we will be able to install our first device in a hospital to acquire MRI images of patients in a real-world environment. These images will form the basis for the product that will profoundly transform medical imaging practice on a global scale.”
