Participated · Series D · Feb 2010

Seahorse Bioscience develops the Seahorse Extracellular Flux (XF) Analyzer and XF Stress Test Kits to simplify cellular bioenergetic studies. The XF Analyzers non‑invasively profile metabolic activity in minutes, enabling physiologic cell‑based assays for basal oxygen consumption, glycolysis rates, ATP turnover and respiratory capacity in a single experiment to assess mitochondrial dysfunction. The company sells analytical instruments, biomanufacturing systems and consumable labware to scientists at academic institutions, pharmaceutical and biotech organizations, and OEM manufacturers of assay kits and lab instruments. Seahorse has served the life‑sciences industry since 2001 and is based in North Billerica, Massachusetts. The firm disclosed a $9.4 million venture capital raise in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Four separate investors participated in the offering. Seahorse Bioscience develops and commercializes the XF Series instruments that measure cellular energy consumption and related lab products. The XF Series has been used by researchers to study metabolic deficiencies linked to neurological diseases, obesity, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Seahorse also offers workstations using disposable plastic cards with cell-culture chambers that mimic bench-scale bioreactor conditions, plus related consumables and custom lab equipment. Proceeds from the recent round will fund expansion of global sales and marketing and hiring at its Chicopee, Mass. manufacturing facility. The company is privately held and does not disclose revenues. The financing described was the company’s fourth funding round.