Microsaic Systems

Microsaic Systems plc, founded in 2001 by Eric Yeatman, is a UK-based technology company specializing in the development and commercialization of miniaturized, point-of-need mass spectrometry (MS) instruments. The company's core patented technology integrates key MS components onto micro-engineered chips, resulting in instruments that are significantly smaller, more energy-efficient, and less costly to operate than conventional systems. These compact systems are designed for real-time analytical detection and can be integrated with third-party equipment or used as standalone units, serving industries such as pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, environmental, and food and beverage.

The company has undergone significant strategic shifts and corporate restructuring. After facing financial difficulties in 2023, partly due to the insolvency of its largest customer, DeepVerge PLC, Microsaic initiated a major cost-reduction program which included staff redundancies and a temporary suspension of its shares on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. In a strategic move to rebuild and expand its offerings, Microsaic acquired the assets of Modern Water, including the Microtox® water testing business, from DeepVerge in January 2024 for £0.1 million. This acquisition integrated water monitoring for toxins and pathogens into Microsaic's portfolio. The company's focus now combines its legacy chip-based mass spectrometry, with products like the MiD® platform and ProteinID, with the newly acquired water testing and reagent manufacturing capabilities.

Microsaic generates revenue through the sale of its compact MS systems, related software, and services. Following the acquisition of Modern Water, its business model expanded to include the manufacturing and sale of bio-reagents used in water toxicity testing, targeting a global installed base of Microtox® users. The company operates through a global network of distributors and partners and is also focused on outsourced manufacturing and servicing to manage costs. Despite delisting from the AIM market in late 2023, the company undertook a share consolidation and fundraise, successfully relisting in January 2024 to support its recapitalized and expanded operations.

Keywords: point-of-need mass spectrometry, miniaturized mass spectrometer, chip-based mass spectrometry, water toxicity testing, Microtox, analytical instruments, biopharmaceutical analysis, environmental monitoring, real-time mass detection, chemical analysis, protein identification, portable solutions, lab-on-a-chip, microfluidics, analytical services, bioprocessing, water quality, pathogen detection, toxic chemicals, reagent manufacturing