Swiss neurotech spin-off accelerates development of ultra-high-resolution intraoperative imaging to enhance precision and safety in brain surgery.
The Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering has announced the successful closing of the Seed financing round for Clee Medical SA, a promising Swiss neurotechnology spin-off dedicated to transforming brain surgery through ultra-high-resolution, real-time intraoperative imaging. The investment marks a significant milestone not only for the young company but also for the broader neurotechnology ecosystem in Switzerland and Europe, reinforcing the growing momentum behind innovations designed to improve precision and safety in neurosurgery.
The Seed round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), one of Europe’s most active early-stage technology investors. Additional participation came from Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), Kickfund, FONGIT, and Venture Kick, alongside continued support from the Wyss Center Geneva. The diverse syndicate of investors reflects strong confidence in Clee Medical’s technology, leadership, and potential to reshape the landscape of minimally invasive brain procedures.
From Research Breakthrough to Clinical Ambition
Clee Medical officially spun out in December 2024 from the Wyss Center’s Minimally Invasive Intracranial Access (MICA) research project. The MICA initiative focused on addressing one of neurosurgery’s most persistent challenges: how to provide surgeons with accurate, real-time visualization of delicate brain structures during procedures where millimeter-level precision can determine patient outcomes.
The transition from academic research to an independent company marks a critical step in translating scientific innovation into real-world clinical solutions. The Wyss Center has long been committed to bridging the gap between discovery and patient impact, and Clee Medical exemplifies that mission. By moving beyond the laboratory and into commercial development, the company is positioning itself to bring cutting-edge imaging capabilities directly into operating rooms worldwide.
Dr. Erwin Böttinger, CEO of the Wyss Center, emphasized the broader significance of the milestone. He highlighted that Clee Medical not only promises to improve patient outcomes but also demonstrates the center’s dedication to ensuring that scientific advancements lead to tangible improvements in healthcare delivery.
The Challenge in Modern Neurosurgery
Despite decades of technological advancement, neurosurgery continues to rely heavily on pre-operative imaging such as MRI and CT scans. While these tools provide highly detailed anatomical maps before surgery begins, they have a critical limitation: the brain is not static.
Once a procedure is underway, the brain can shift due to factors such as cerebrospinal fluid drainage, tissue removal, or changes in patient positioning. This phenomenon, often referred to as “brain shift,” can render pre-operative images less reliable as the operation progresses. As a result, surgeons must often rely on experience and indirect cues to navigate critical structures during stereotactic and minimally invasive procedures.
This gap between static pre-operative data and dynamic intraoperative reality creates inherent risks. Accidentally damaging blood vessels or essential neural pathways can have serious, sometimes irreversible consequences for patients. Improving intraoperative visualization has therefore been a long-standing goal within the field of neurosurgery.
Neuro Access: Real-Time Vision Inside the Brain
Clee Medical’s flagship platform, Neuro Access, is designed to directly address this unmet need. The system integrates Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging with advanced surgical navigation technologies, delivering ultra-high-resolution, real-time images from within the brain itself.
OCT is a well-established imaging modality known for its ability to produce micrometer-resolution images of tissue structures. By adapting and miniaturizing this technology for neurosurgical applications, Clee Medical has created a slender probe that can be seamlessly incorporated into standard stereotactic procedures.
The probe is no wider than instruments already used in common brain surgeries. This design choice is critical: it ensures that surgeons do not need to learn entirely new techniques or adopt unfamiliar workflows. Instead, Neuro Access integrates naturally into existing surgical practice, enhancing it rather than disrupting it.
As surgeons advance the probe during a procedure, they receive a live, detailed view of the surrounding brain anatomy. Crucially, the system can detect and visualize critical structures such as blood vessels before the surgeon reaches them. This capability significantly reduces the risk of accidental injury and allows for more informed, confident decision-making in real time.
By transforming the surgical field from one guided largely by static pre-operative maps into one supported by dynamic intraoperative imaging, Neuro Access introduces a new paradigm of precision and safety.
Expanding the Potential of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery
Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly favored in neurosurgery because they reduce trauma, shorten recovery times, and lower the risk of complications. However, these approaches also demand even greater accuracy, as surgeons operate through narrow pathways with limited visibility.
Neuro Access enhances the feasibility and safety of such procedures by providing continuous feedback about the tissues and structures along the surgical trajectory. This added layer of real-time information may enable surgeons to attempt interventions that were previously considered too risky or technically challenging.
Matthew Lapinski, Co-Founder and CEO of Clee Medical SA, underscored this point by noting that neurosurgery remains heavily dependent on pre-operative imaging despite the dynamic conditions of the operating room. He emphasized that the Seed financing will allow the company to bring a new level of real-time visibility into brain procedures, supporting safer interventions and expanding what minimally invasive neurosurgery can achieve.
Funding to Accelerate Clinical Translation
The newly secured Seed funding will enable Clee Medical to transition from advanced research and prototyping into clinical development. A significant portion of the capital will be directed toward further refining the Neuro Access platform, ensuring that it meets the rigorous standards required for human use.
The company plans to initiate an initial clinical study involving human patients, a critical milestone that will provide real-world validation of the technology’s safety and performance. Clinical data will play a central role in demonstrating the system’s benefits to surgeons, hospitals, and regulators.
In parallel, Clee Medical will advance its regulatory strategy, working to secure the necessary approvals to bring Neuro Access to market. Navigating regulatory pathways is a complex and resource-intensive process, particularly for innovative medical devices. The Seed financing provides the financial runway needed to complete these essential steps.
Each milestone achieved brings the technology closer to widespread clinical adoption. If successful, Neuro Access could become a standard tool in neurosurgical practice, enhancing procedural accuracy and reducing complications for patients undergoing brain surgery.
A Broader Impact on Patient Care
Millions of patients worldwide undergo brain procedures each year, ranging from tumor biopsies and resections to deep brain stimulation and other stereotactic interventions. Even small improvements in precision can translate into significant gains in patient safety and long-term outcomes.
By providing surgeons with a real-time, high-resolution view of critical brain structures, Clee Medical aims to reduce intraoperative uncertainty and empower more informed surgical decisions. The potential benefits include fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, improved functional outcomes, and greater confidence among both surgeons and patients.
Beyond its immediate clinical applications, the success of Clee Medical also highlights the strength of Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem, where collaboration between research institutions, investors, and clinical partners can rapidly translate groundbreaking science into market-ready solutions.
As Clee Medical advances toward clinical trials and regulatory approval, its journey will be closely watched by the neurosurgical and medtech communities. With strong institutional backing, a compelling technological platform, and a clear clinical need, the company is poised to make real-time vision in brain surgery not just a vision of the future, but a practical reality in operating rooms around the world.
