For years, researchers have grappled with the challenges of traditional cell culture methods—manual, inconsistent, and time-consuming processes that have slowed progress in drug discovery. As regulatory agencies like the FDA push for alternatives to animal testing, the need for scalable, reproducible organoid models is skyrocketing. Hamburg-based life science startup mo:re, which is tackling this problem head-on with a groundbreaking 3D cell culture automation platform designed to transform drug development.
Backed by €2.3 million in seed funding, mo:re plans to bring its automated laboratory platform to market. The investment round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and joined by Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg (IFH), Gilson Inc., NEDGEX, Nidobirds Ventures, R&R Medical, and angel investor Martin Blüggel. Although the company’s valuation remains undisclosed, the funding will fuel product launch, expand scientific applications, and fast-track the development of new organoid models.
Breaking Barriers in 3D Cell Culture Automation
Unveiled at SLAS 2025 in San Diego—the global hub for laboratory automation—mo:re’s all-in-one platform streamlines every stage of the 3D cell culture process. From planning to cultivation and analysis, it eliminates the need for deep expertise in organ-specific biology. Unlike most existing systems that only automate individual tasks, mo:re’s platform covers the entire workflow, ensuring reproducibility and scaling with ease.
This user-friendly solution opens advanced cell culture techniques to a broader pool of researchers, even those without a background in complex biology. By offering high-throughput organoid models, mo:re bridges a critical gap between scientific research and pharmaceutical development, paving the way for faster, more reliable drug discovery while minimizing animal testing.
mo:re’s CEO, Lukas Gaats, highlighted the impact of this investment: “This funding enables us to strengthen our team and establish our market presence. Now, we’re focused on expanding the platform’s scientific applications, unlocking its full potential alongside our customers and internal R&D lab.”
A Visionary Approach to Organoid Research
Founded in 2023 by Lukas Gaats and David Hackenberger, mo:re is driven by a shared mission to revolutionize lab automation. The duo met during their MBA studies at TU Hamburg and combined their expertise in biomedical and mechanical engineering. Gaats first spotted the market opportunity while validating automated spheroid culture platforms at Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Meanwhile, Hackenberger, an expert in automation and production engineering, took on the role of CTO to lead product development. Together, they designed a platform that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time organoid quality predictions. This AI-driven feature allows scientists to detect potential issues early in the research phase, further improving reliability.
mo:re’s holistic approach directly addresses long-standing inefficiencies in organoid research, setting a new benchmark for the life sciences industry. By offering a fully automated solution, the company is poised to accelerate drug discovery and drastically reduce dependence on animal testing.
Investors Back the Future of 3D Cell Culture
Investors see vast potential in mo:re’s technology, particularly as the demand for reliable non-animal methods in life sciences continues to grow. Stefanie Höhn, Senior Investment Manager at IFH, shared her excitement: “Our investment reflects confidence in mo:re’s ability to solve long-standing cell culture challenges. Their platform is a game-changer for non-animal testing methods in drug development.”
Dirk Freystadt, SVP Corporate Development at Gilson Inc., echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for reliable data in pharmaceutical research: “Verifiable data is crucial to speed up drug discovery and development. mo:re’s technology standardizes organoid growth, improving both quality and consistency. This not only boosts research efficiency but also reduces reliance on animal testing.”
Aiming for Global Impact in 3D Cell Culture Automation
What sets mo:re apart is its ability to provide a fully integrated platform—one that outshines existing lab automation and bioprinting tools limited to isolated tasks. By offering an end-to-end workflow solution, mo:re eliminates bottlenecks that often slow down drug development.
Looking ahead, the startup plans to dominate the 3D cell culture automation market within the next three to five years. The roadmap includes scaling operations across Europe and North America, expanding their library of organoid models, and solidifying their position as a leader in automated cell culture solutions.
With the growing demand for reproducible, high-throughput organoid models, mo:re is uniquely positioned to shape the future of drug development—making complex cell culture studies faster, more reliable, and less reliant on animal testing.
