1 The EIC Accelerator Project

Overview of the EIC Accelerator Program

The EIC Accelerator program, part of the European Innovation Council (EIC), is designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe, particularly those operating in the deep tech sector. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between research and market, fostering the development of groundbreaking technologies and scaling innovative business models. The program offers a unique blend of financial support, including grants and equity investment, to help companies navigate the complexities of scaling their operations.

Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator provides funding through a blended finance model, which combines both non-dilutive grants and equity investments.

Purpose of the EIC Accelerator

The primary purpose of the EIC Accelerator is to bolster the European deep tech and startup ecosystem by providing targeted support to innovative companies. By offering significant financial resources and mentorship, the program helps startups overcome common barriers to growth, such as securing private funding, navigating regulatory landscapes, and achieving market fit. This support is particularly vital for deep tech companies, which often face longer development cycles and higher risks due to the complexity of their technologies.

The EIC Accelerator plays a crucial role in attracting private sector investment by validating the technologies and business models of funded companies. The involvement of the EIC serves as a signal to potential investors, demonstrating the viability and potential of supported ventures.

Highlighting Scipio Bioscience and the DEEP-IN-CELL Project

Company Overview:
Scipio Bioscience, based in France, is an innovative firm focused on advancing biotechnology through cutting-edge genomic technologies. The company specializes in providing solutions for single-cell analysis, enabling more precise understanding of cellular function and behavior.

Project Acronym: DEEP-IN-CELL
Project Description: The DEEP-IN-CELL project aims to develop an innovative single-cell RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) kit designed to detect rarer and more significant cellular genomic expressions. This technology is pivotal in the field of genomics, as it allows researchers to analyze individual cells rather than bulk samples, leading to more accurate insights into cellular diversity and functionality.

Technology Basics and Background

Single-cell RNA sequencing is a revolutionary technique that allows for the examination of gene expression at the individual cell level. Traditional RNA-seq methods analyze bulk samples, which can mask important variations between cells. By utilizing single-cell approaches, researchers can identify unique cellular states, variations in gene expression, and the presence of rare cell types that play critical roles in various biological processes.

The DEEP-IN-CELL project specifically addresses limitations in existing single-cell RNA-seq technologies, which often struggle with sensitivity and specificity. By enhancing the detection capabilities for rarer cellular expressions, Scipio Bioscience's kit could significantly advance research in areas such as cancer biology, immunology, and developmental biology.

In summary, the EIC Accelerator program is instrumental in fostering innovation within the European deep tech landscape by providing essential funding and support for startups like Scipio Bioscience. Through projects like DEEP-IN-CELL, the program helps advance transformative technologies that have the potential to reshape scientific research and improve health outcomes.

2 The Funding Rounds

Financing Raised

Scipio bioscience, a French biotechnology company specializing in single-cell sequencing solutions, has raised a total of approximately $7.91 million (around €7.9 million) over two funding rounds since its inception. The most significant funding event was the Series A round, which brought in €6 million (about $6.5 million) on February 25, 2020.

In July 2023, Scipio bioscience also secured convertible financing of €1.9 million from the EIC Fund following its successful application to the EIC Accelerator program in March 2022.

Funding Rounds: Timing and Amounts

Date	Round	Amount	Investors/Notes
Feb 25, 2020	Series A	€6M (~$6.5M)	Led by M Ventures; Seventure Partners’ Quadrivium I; High-Tech Gründerfonds; Financière Arbevel; investiere
Jul 2023	Convertible	€1.9M	EIC Fund

</em>This round is directly tied to the EIC Accelerator award.

No additional public information is available regarding other earlier seed rounds or subsequent fundraising events after July 2023.

Investor Information

• Series A (Feb 2020):
• Lead: M Ventures (corporate VC arm of Merck KGaA)
• Co-investors: Seventure Partners’ Quadrivium I fund, High-Tech Gründerfonds, Financière Arbevel, investiere
• Convertible Round/EIC Accelerator (Jul 2023):
• Investor: European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund)

Key board member affiliations include Philippe Tramoy from Seventure Partners/Quadrivium I and Jean-Pascal Viola from QIAGEN.

Company Valuations

As of March 2022—shortly after winning EIC Accelerator support—Scipio bioscience had an estimated enterprise valuation publicly reported at $33 million. There are no more recent public valuations available following this date.

Exit Events

There are no records indicating that Scipio bioscience has undergone any exit event such as an IPO or acquisition as of April 24, 2025. However, it is notable that as of September 18th, 2024 the company announced it would cease operations—a development that may affect future prospects for asset sale or acquisition but does not constitute a classical exit event like an IPO or buyout at this time.

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Summary Table

Event	Date	Details
Series A Raise	Feb 25, 2020	€6M ($6.5M), led by M Ventures + syndicate
Convertible/EIC	Jul, 2023	€1.9M from European Innovation Council Fund
Valuation	Mar, 2022	$33 million
Exit Event	None as of Apr '25; ceased operations Sep '24

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Sources

• Scipio bioscience Stock Price, Funding & Valuation – CB Insights
• Scipio bioscience raises €6.0 M Series A financing – M Ventures
• Scipio Bioscience - Web3 Crypto Company Profile – Cointime.ai
• Dealroom.co profile for Scipio biosciences
• Series A - Scipio Biosciences – Cointime.ai
• Company page – scipio.bio
• Official announcement ceasing activity — scipo.bio main site

3 The Press Releases

Scipio bioscience, a French biotechnology company and winner of the EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022, has made significant developments and announcements related to its single-cell RNA sequencing technology since then.

Key Press Releases and Updates from Scipio bioscience

1. Launch of Asteria© Single-cell RNA-seq Kit (January 2022)

• Scipio bioscience officially launched its innovative Asteria© kit across Europe. This kit uses novel hydrogel technology enabling researchers in academic, biotech, and pharmaceutical sectors to perform RNA sequencing on individual cells directly at lab benchtops.
• The Asteria© kit addresses critical needs for accessible, cost-effective single-cell analysis without requiring complex instrumentation.
• It is complemented by Cytonaut© software—a bioinformatics platform allowing biologists without deep computational expertise to analyze data easily.
• The launch was positioned as setting a new standard in the $4.2 billion RNA sequencing market projected for 2024.
• CEO Pierre Walrafen emphasized how the kit reduces logistical challenges by enabling immediate processing of rare or fragile cell samples without preservation or transport that can alter data.

2. Series A Funding (€6 million) (February-March 2020 - supporting final development phase before commercial launch)

• Though this predates the EIC Accelerator win date slightly, this funding round was pivotal in fueling final product development and marketing efforts leading up to commercialization starting early 2022.
• Led by M Ventures with participation from Seventure Partners’ Quadrivum I fund and others, the investment supported turning patented chemical hydrogel technology into a user-friendly kit requiring no special equipment.
• Collaboration with Paris Brain Institute laboratories enabled beta-testing phases ahead of release.

3. Team Update – New CEO Appointment (March 28, 2023)

Scipio bioscience announced board nomination of Pierre Chaumat as new CEO to steer upcoming phases of growth and development.

4. Single-cell Grant Program Initiatives (December 2022 & October 26, 2023)

The company launched grant programs awarding full scRNA-seq packages through competitive applications aimed at advancing single-cell research projects globally.

5. Participation in Scientific Events (Throughout Early-Mid 2024)

Active presence at international conferences such as Festival of Genomics & Biodata (Jan), NextGen Omics US conference in Boston (Mar), Ribored Spain conference (May), Wellcome Single-cell Biology event (Oct), among others.

Partnerships & Collaborations

From inception stages through product beta testing, Scipio collaborated closely with teams at the Institut du Cerveau - ICM Brain & Spine Institute in Paris for technical validation and refinement of their kits.

Technology Advancements

Their patented hydrogel molecular chemistry approach pioneered by Prof Stuart Edelstein underpins their kits' unique ability to preserve sample integrity while simplifying workflow directly on benchtops.

Recent Status Update

Despite these advances over recent years following their EIC Accelerator success: On September 18th, 2024 Scipio bioscience publicly announced it has ceased operations after several years pioneering accessible single-cell sequencing solutions—marking an end to active business activities post-launch phase.

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Summary

Since winning the EIC Accelerator funding after March 23rd, 2022 submission:

However as per latest update dated September 18th, 2024 they have ceased operations.

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Sources

4 The Technology Advancements

Overview of Scipio Bioscience

Scipio Bioscience, a French company founded in 2017, specializes in single-cell sequencing solutions. Since its inception, the company has focused on developing innovative technologies to simplify single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) processes, making them more accessible to research labs.

Current Capabilities

Scipio Bioscience offers the Asteria Benchtop Kit, which is designed for the preparation of single-cell 3' end cDNA libraries directly on a lab bench. This kit is complemented by the Cytonaut Cloud Analysis Software, providing a streamlined workflow from sample preparation to data analysis. The Asteria kit utilizes a novel hydrogel technology, allowing for efficient sequencing of individual cells without requiring specialized equipment.

Advancements Since March 2022

After receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022, Scipio Bioscience continued to advance its technology and expand its reach in the market. Key developments include:

• Commercialization in Europe: Scipio Bioscience launched the commercialization of its Asteria kit in Europe, marking a significant milestone in making single-cell sequencing more accessible.
• Grant Programs: The company introduced a Single-Cell Grant Program, offering four researchers a complete scRNA-seq solution valued up to $30,000. This initiative aims to democratize access to single-cell research tools.
• Technology Demonstration: While specific details on demonstrators or pilots are not mentioned, Scipio Bioscience's products have been adopted by various research institutions. The company collaborates with leading European research centers, such as the Brain & Spine Institute in Paris.

Improvements and New Features

Scipio Bioscience has emphasized the user-friendly nature of its Asteria kit and Cytonaut software, simplifying the workflow and making single-cell sequencing more feasible for a broader range of researchers. The company's patented RevGel-seq technology, part of the Asteria kit, is an innovative reversible hydrogel that facilitates single-cell sample preparation.

Patents and Publications

While specific new patents or scientific studies published since March 2022 are not detailed in the available information, Scipio Bioscience's focus on advancing its hydrogel technology and software solutions suggests ongoing research and development efforts. The company's mission to enhance single-cell sequencing capabilities and make them more accessible has been central to its recent activities.

Market Demonstration

Scipio Bioscience has demonstrated its commitment to making its technology accessible through collaborations and grant programs. However, specific clinical trials or large-scale market demonstrations are not highlighted in the available literature. The Asteria kit's launch in Europe signifies a significant step in market penetration, making single-cell sequencing tools more widely available to researchers across the continent.

Sources

• Scipio bioscience
• Scipio bioscience announces the winners of its 2023 Single-cell Grant Program
• Scipio bioscience Announces a Single-Cell Grant Program
• Scipio Bioscience SAS
• Scipio bioscience raises €6.0 M Series A financing
• Scipio bioscience Launches Commercialization in Europe of Asteria
• Scipio bioscience Announces a Single-Cell Grant Program
• Scipio bioscience announces a single-cell Grant Program

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Scipio bioscience, a French biotech startup specializing in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies, has formed several partnerships and customer relationships since winning the EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022. These collaborations strategically position Scipio as an accessible player in the single-cell market and support its technological growth and scaling efforts.

Partnerships and Customers

• Distribution Partners: Scipio has established partnerships with distributors to expand its commercial reach. Notably, it partners with Thistle Scientific Ltd. for the UK and Ireland markets, Ozyme in France, and BioCat in Germany. These partnerships enable wider distribution of its Asteria™ Benchtop Kit for scRNA-seq sample preparation alongside its Cytonaut™ Cloud Analysis Software.
• Research Collaborations: Early-stage collaborations included beta-testing with leading European research institutions such as Institut du Cerveau - ICM (Brain & Spine Institute) in Paris. This collaboration helped refine their kit technology using clinical samples available at Cochin Hospital facilities where Scipio is incubated.
• Grant Program Customers: In late 2022, Scipio launched a Single-cell Grant Program offering up to US$30,000 packages including kits and software to selected researchers globally. This program aims to democratize access to single-cell sequencing by supporting labs that previously lacked capital equipment or data analysis capabilities. The winners announced in October 2023 further reflect new customer engagements through this initiative.

New Relationships Since EIC Funding

With Pierre Chaumat appointed CEO in March 2023—an industry veteran experienced with companies like Bio-Rad—Scipio strengthened leadership focused on expanding into new markets including clinical study projects targeting diseases such as cardiology and diabetes. Under his guidance, scientific partnerships have increased especially around clinical translational studies seeking multiomics data generation at single-cell resolution.

Nature of Relationships & Market Positioning

• The distributor agreements enable scalable commercial deployment across Europe by leveraging local expertise for sales support.
• Research institution collaborations provide validation of technology performance on real-world clinical samples crucial for adoption by biomedical scientists.
• The grant program lowers entry barriers for smaller labs or those new to scRNA-seq technology fostering loyalty among early adopters while increasing global visibility.

Together these relationships align with Scipio’s mission "to empower every researcher" by making single-cell sequencing affordable, easy-to-use without sophisticated instrumentation—differentiating it from competitors that require high-end equipment.

Impact on Technology Advancement & Scaling

The strategic alliances facilitate:

• Accelerated development cycles through early feedback from academic partners using actual patient-derived samples.
• Broader user base expansion via distributors enabling economies of scale production-wise.
• Enhanced innovation pipeline driven by insights gained from diverse application areas such as cardiology or diabetes research enabled by grant-supported customers pioneering novel applications.

This ecosystem supports advancing their proprietary RevGel™ hydrogel-based Asteria kit technology which maintains cell integrity better than conventional methods while allowing multisite sample shipping—a key advantage for multicenter studies requiring consistent transcriptomic profiles across locations.

In summary, Scipio bioscience's recent partnerships encompass both commercial distribution networks and collaborative research grants aimed at broadening access while validating cutting-edge applications clinically. These combined efforts advance their positioning toward becoming a major innovator providing accessible next-generation single-cell solutions globally.

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Sources

• Scipio bioscience official website
• Biopharma APAC news on Single Cell Grant Program
• Announcement of Grant Winners Oct 2023
• LeadIQ company profile mentioning partners
• Paris Brain Institute report on Series A financing & collaborations

-Genetic Engineering News article about kits democratizing scRNA-seq including mention of Scip.io's products -Press release announcing new CEO Pierre Chaumat

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Scipio Bioscience: Team Growth and Development

Scipio Bioscience, a French company specializing in innovative single-cell sequencing solutions, has been undergoing significant developments since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022. This section will detail the company's hiring, team growth, and management changes.

Current Team Size and Hiring Status

While the exact current headcount of Scipio Bioscience is not publicly disclosed, the company is actively expanding its team. They are looking for talented individuals to join their collaborative environment, focusing on skills rather than just resumes. The company welcomes spontaneous applications, indicating a continuous process of team growth.

Recent Hiring and Key Positions

A significant recent appointment at Scipio Bioscience was the nomination of Pierre Chaumat as the new CEO in March 2023. Chaumat, previously the VP Chief Manufacturing Officer, brings extensive experience in life sciences and technology development to lead the company's expansion into new markets and applications.

Company Growth

Since its founding, Scipio Bioscience has experienced notable growth, particularly with the development and launch of its Asteria Benchtop Kit and Cytonaut Cloud Analysis Software. These innovations have simplified single-cell RNA sequencing workflows, making them more accessible to researchers. The company's growth is further supported by significant investments, including a €6.0 M Series A financing round in 2020.

Future Impact of New Team Members

The addition of new team members, particularly with the appointment of Pierre Chaumat as CEO, positions Scipio Bioscience for further technological advancements and market expansion. This leadership change and ongoing team growth will help the company scale its operations, enhance its product offerings, and increase its presence in clinical and translational research.

Management and Founding Team Changes

The most notable change in management was the transition of Pierre Walrafen from CEO to a different role, with Pierre Chaumat taking over the position of CEO. This change reflects the company's strategic evolution towards expanding its product range and entering new markets.

Sources

• Scipio Bioscience
• Scipio Bioscience Appoints New CEO
• Scipio Bioscience Raises €6.0 M Series A Financing
• Scipio Bioscience Announces Single-Cell Grant Program
• Careers at Scipio Bioscience

7 The Media Features and Publications

Overview of Scipio Bioscience

Scipio Bioscience, a French biotechnology company, has been making significant strides in the field of single-cell RNA sequencing since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022. The company focuses on developing affordable and accessible solutions for single-cell sample preparation and data analysis, addressing the cost and logistical barriers that have limited the adoption of single-cell sequencing techniques.

Media Features and Publications

Scipio Bioscience has been featured in various publications highlighting its innovative approach to single-cell sequencing:

• Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Kit: The company's Asteria kit is designed to simplify the process of single-cell RNA sequencing, allowing researchers to prepare and analyze samples efficiently. This development has been covered by publications such as Lab Manager and World Pharma Today, emphasizing the kit's ease of use and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborations and Case Studies: Scipio Bioscience collaborates with researchers on various projects, including studies on Alzheimer's disease and pancreatic cancer, demonstrating the application of its technology in diverse biological contexts.

Podcasts and Interviews

While specific podcast interviews featuring Scipio Bioscience team members are not highlighted in the current search results, the company's CEO, Pierre Walrafen, has been quoted in publications discussing the company's mission to democratize single-cell sequencing technologies.

Conference and Fair Participations

There is no specific information available in the search results about Scipio Bioscience's participation in conferences or fairs since receiving the EIC funding. However, the company's involvement in the scientific community through collaborations and product releases suggests potential engagement in relevant biotechnology events.

Involvement in Events

Scipio Bioscience's focus on developing innovative single-cell sequencing solutions positions it for involvement in events focused on biotechnology and genomics. While specific event participations are not detailed, the company's products and collaborations underscore its commitment to advancing single-cell biology research.

Sources

• Resource Center - Scipio Bioscience
• Scipio Bioscience
• Scipio bioscience raises €6.0 M to develop and launch a kit dedicated to sample preparation for single-cell RNA-sequencing
• Scipio bioscience Announces Its Revolutionary Asteria Single-cell RNA-seq Kit and Companion Cytonaut Analysis Software Are Now Commercially Available
• New Single-Cell RNA-Seq Kit and Companion Analysis Software Now Available
• Scipio bioscience raises €6.0 M Series A financing