All-in-One Medical Imaging Project Receives CHF 14 Million of Funding

Pristem SA, an international medical technology company, has received $14 million Swiss francs ($14.4 million USD) in funding to create and deliver medical imaging devices to low and middle income countries that lack adequate access to radiology services.

Founded by Bertrand Klaiber in 2012, Pristem was spun out of EssentialTech, a program run by the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne that develops solutions for global problems. Over the years, more than 100 researchers, physicians, and tech experts across African and Swiss institutions including the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Western Switzerland (HES-SO) have been working on developing the project. Called an “all-in-one” system, their imaging device is designed to meet the needs of a diverse set of patients and is cost effective, user friendly, and operates on “leading-edge” technology. A pre-industrial prototype will be presented to the public on October 29.

Two African investors and two Swiss investors contributed the funds for the project. One of the African investors operates a large medical imaging group and will contribute customer-based insights. Blaise Mentha, the lead Swiss investor who has an extensive background in the medical service industry, said, “We decided to invest in Pristem and support its development because of its comprehensive and disruptive approach. It is similar to building an ‘advanced all-terrain vehicle’, i.e. robust, cost-effective and capable of working effectively in both modern cities and the most remote locations.”