First HTGF Exit to Japan: Shimadzu Corporation Acquires Plasmion and Its Pioneering SICRIT® Ion Source Technology
- Shimadzu Corporation acquires a 75% stake in Plasmion GmbH, making the company a subsidiary, to obtain its SICRIT® ion source technology for next-generation mass spectrometers
- SICRIT® enables high-sensitivity real-time analysis without complex sample pretreatment with applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and food & beverage analysis
- The transaction marks the first-ever exit of a HTGF portfolio company to a Japanese acquirer
- HTGF backed the Augsburg-based deeptech startup since its first financing round in January 2019
Shimadzu Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of analytical instruments, has acquired a 75% stake in Plasmion GmbH (headquartered in Augsburg, Bavaria), making the company a subsidiary. The acquisition aims to obtain Plasmion’s SICRIT® (Soft Ionization by Chemical Reaction In Transfer) ion source technology and integrate it into Shimadzu’s mass spectrometry platform.
For HTGF, this marks the first exit of a portfolio company to a Japanese corporation. It is also a prime example of what HTGF has been doing since 2005: identifying deep technology with global potential at the earliest stage and supporting founders all the way to a successful exit. HTGF invested in Plasmion in January 2019 alongside Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft (BayBG).
Deep Tech Made in Germany — Ready for Global Markets
SICRIT® represents a significant advance over widely used ionization methods such as APCI in liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Its key advantage is the ability to directly ionize analytes with high sensitivity without complex sample pretreatment, enabling real-time analysis that was previously difficult. The technology is already being applied in the search for disease markers in exhaled breath, the monitoring of trace hazardous substances in the environment, and the non-destructive analysis of aroma compounds in food and beverages. Shimadzu and Plasmion have been collaborating since 2019 through technical exchanges and joint application development.
Founders Remain on Board
Plasmion’s founders, CEO Dr. Thomas Wolf and CTO Dr. Jan-Christoph Wolf, will retain a 25% stake in the company and remain actively involved in management. Shimadzu plans to develop next-generation mass spectrometers by integrating SICRIT® with its own MS-related technologies, targeting global markets in analytics, quality control, pharma, and food & beverage.
“This exit is a perfect example of what HTGF stands for: a high degree of innovation, an ambitious founding team, a focused group of investors, and close hands-on support throughout the journey. We are proud that Plasmion becomes the first HTGF portfolio company to be acquired by a Japanese corporation, a testament to the global appeal of deep tech Made in Germany,” said Dr. Nikolaus Raupp, Partner at HTGF.
“We’re very grateful for the continued support received during our journey. It is amazing that we have institutions like HTGF in Germany who are dedicated to identify and support promising deep tech startups with resources, knowledge, and the necessary patience and stamina that is crucial to succeed in these areas,” said Dr. Thomas Wolf, CEO of Plasmion.
About Plasmion GmbH
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Augsburg, Bavaria, Plasmion GmbH develops, manufactures, and sells ion sources for mass spectrometers as well as industrial mass spectrometers. The company employs 15 people. www.plasmion.com