Backed by the Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering and leading Swiss investors, Clee Medical advances ultra-high-resolution real-time imaging to enhance precision and safety in brain surgery.
The Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering in Geneva has announced the successful closing of a Seed financing round for Clee Medical SA, a pioneering Swiss neurotechnology spin-off focused on transforming the way brain surgery is performed. The newly secured funding marks a significant milestone for the young company, which is developing an ultra-high-resolution, real-time intraoperative imaging platform designed to provide neurosurgeons with unprecedented visibility during delicate brain procedures.
The Seed round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with participation from Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), Kickfund, FONGIT, and Venture Kick. Existing investor the Wyss Center Geneva also joined the round, reinforcing its long-term commitment to translating cutting-edge neuroscience research into real-world clinical solutions.
From Research Breakthrough to Clinical Venture
Clee Medical officially spun out from the Wyss Center in December 2024, emerging from the Center’s Minimally Invasive Intracranial Access (MICA) research project. The MICA initiative was originally conceived to address one of the most pressing challenges in neurosurgery: how to safely and accurately access deep brain structures while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue.
While research institutions often generate promising prototypes, transforming these innovations into clinically viable technologies requires significant capital, regulatory navigation, and commercial strategy. The creation of Clee Medical represents a strategic step toward ensuring that years of scientific development can ultimately benefit patients in operating rooms around the world.
At the heart of the company’s technology is its flagship platform, Neuro Access. This advanced system integrates optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging with precision navigation tools to provide surgeons with high-resolution, real-time visualization of brain anatomy during stereotactic procedures. By combining imaging and navigation into a single, minimally invasive probe, Clee Medical aims to fundamentally reshape how neurosurgeons see and interact with the brain during surgery.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Neurosurgery
Despite decades of progress in medical imaging, most brain surgeries today still rely heavily on pre-operative scans such as MRI or CT images. These scans provide detailed anatomical maps before surgery begins. However, once the operation is underway, the brain can shift due to factors such as gravity, fluid drainage, or tissue manipulation. This phenomenon, known as “brain shift,” reduces the accuracy of pre-operative images and can create uncertainty during navigation.
As a result, surgeons are often operating with imaging that no longer reflects the precise real-time anatomy of the patient. This gap between static pre-operative data and dynamic intraoperative reality can increase the complexity and risk of procedures.
Neuro Access directly addresses this challenge. By delivering live, high-resolution images from the tip of a slender probe inserted into the brain, the system allows surgeons to see exactly what lies ahead in real time. This capability represents a significant advancement over traditional approaches, offering immediate anatomical feedback as the procedure unfolds.
A Seamless Fit into Surgical Practice
One of the most compelling aspects of the Neuro Access platform is its design philosophy. The probe is no wider than instruments already used in standard stereotactic procedures, meaning it integrates naturally into existing workflows. Surgeons do not need to adopt entirely new surgical techniques or dramatically alter their operating room setup.
This ease of integration is critical for adoption. In high-stakes surgical environments, technologies that require minimal disruption to established practices are far more likely to gain acceptance. By prioritizing compatibility with current tools and methods, Clee Medical has positioned Neuro Access as a practical and scalable solution rather than a disruptive overhaul.
Beyond its form factor, the device’s imaging capability offers a crucial safety advantage. The system can detect critical structures—such as blood vessels—before the surgeon reaches them. Identifying these structures in advance significantly reduces the risk of accidental damage, bleeding, or other complications. In procedures involving deep brain regions, even millimeter-level precision can make the difference between success and severe complications.
Enhancing Patient Outcomes
Each year, millions of patients worldwide undergo brain procedures ranging from tumor biopsies to deep brain stimulation for movement disorders. While many of these interventions are life-changing or life-saving, they inherently carry risk. Complications can result in neurological deficits, prolonged recovery, or additional surgeries.
By equipping surgeons with real-time vision inside the brain, Neuro Access has the potential to improve procedural accuracy and safety. Better visualization supports more confident navigation, more precise targeting, and more informed decision-making during surgery. Ultimately, this could translate into fewer complications, shorter operating times, and improved long-term outcomes for patients.
Dr. Erwin Böttinger, CEO of the Wyss Center, emphasized the broader significance of the achievement, noting that Clee Medical not only holds promise for improving patient outcomes but also exemplifies the Center’s mission to bridge scientific discovery and real-world impact. The successful Seed round underscores the confidence investors have in both the technology and the team behind it.
Matthew Lapinski, Co-Founder and CEO of Clee Medical SA, highlighted the clinical need driving the company’s mission. He pointed out that neurosurgery still depends heavily on pre-operative imaging, even though the intraoperative environment is dynamic and uncertain. According to Lapinski, the new funding will allow Clee Medical to bring a new level of real-time visibility into the brain, supporting safer procedures and expanding the possibilities of minimally invasive neurosurgery.
From Seed Funding to Clinical Validation
The newly secured capital will enable Clee Medical to transition from advanced research and prototype development into the next critical phase: clinical validation. The company plans to use the funds to further refine the Neuro Access platform, conduct its first clinical study involving human patients, and advance through necessary regulatory processes.
Clinical studies will be essential to demonstrate safety, reliability, and measurable benefits in real surgical settings. Data from these trials will inform both regulatory submissions and future commercial strategy. Achieving regulatory approval will represent a pivotal milestone, paving the way for broader adoption in hospitals and surgical centers.
In parallel, the company will continue to enhance the platform’s imaging resolution, software integration, and navigation precision. These refinements will ensure that the technology not only meets regulatory standards but also delivers meaningful value to surgeons and healthcare systems.
A Vision for the Future of Brain Surgery
Clee Medical’s progress reflects a broader shift in neurosurgery toward minimally invasive techniques and enhanced intraoperative guidance. As technologies such as robotics, augmented navigation, and advanced imaging converge, the operating room of the future is becoming increasingly data-driven and visualization-focused.
Real-time intraoperative imaging could eventually become a standard of care, much like intraoperative ultrasound or fluoroscopy in other surgical specialties. If Neuro Access fulfills its promise, it may help establish a new paradigm in brain surgery—one where surgeons operate with continuous, high-resolution insight rather than relying primarily on static pre-operative maps.
The successful Seed financing round represents more than a funding milestone. It signals strong validation from leading European investors and reinforces confidence in the commercial viability of the technology. For Clee Medical, it marks the beginning of a new chapter: moving from innovative research to clinical reality.
As the company advances toward human trials and regulatory clearance, each step brings its groundbreaking platform closer to operating rooms around the world. With its focus on safety, precision, and seamless integration, Clee Medical is positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation neurotechnology—working to make brain surgery smarter, safer, and more effective for patients everywhere.
