Empowering Life Science Innovation Through Partnership
CIC and ZEISS recently expanded their partnership to bring life science startups cutting-edge microscopy technology. The centerpiece of this collaboration? The brand-new ZEISS Microscopy Solutions Center at CIC Philadelphia Labs + Innovation Campus. This isn’t just a room full of impressive equipment—it’s a game-changing resource designed to help startups thrive.
To mark the occasion, we convened a panel of experts to discuss the critical role that access to advanced microscopy technology plays in the success of early-stage life science companies, particularly in reaching key research and development milestones.
Moderated by Kiersten Mailler, Knowledge Community Director at Wexford, the panel featured:
- Vimal Gangadharan, Head of Growth Marketing, ZEISS Microscopy
- Michelle Ottey, PhD, Global Head of Centers and Labs, for CIC Labs + Innovation Campuses
- Hilary Schultz, CEO, Persephoni BioPartners
- Ian Dardani, Co-Founder, BioCartesian
We’ve written a full recap below, but you can also watch the full panel discussion here.
Transforming Research: Advanced Microscopy in Action
In the world of life sciences, seeing truly is believing. Advanced microscopy allows researchers to dive deep into cellular and molecular structures, laying the foundation for breakthroughs in drug discovery, diagnostics, and cellular research. ZEISS technology takes this to the next level, enabling scientists to generate better data, faster. That speed can make all the difference for startups looking to secure funding and advance their research.
As Michelle Ottey, PhD, Global Head of Centers and Labs at CIC put it during the panel discussion, “I think about my postdoc and the many hours I spent in that dark room… This type of equipment could have saved me so much time.”
With ZEISS’ AI-enabled analysis platform, today’s scientists don’t face the same hurdles. Instead, they can reallocate their time and resources to focus on discovery, not just data collection.
Empowering Scientists with Expert Support
Of course, having top-notch equipment is only part of the story. What truly sets the ZEISS Microscopy Solutions Center apart is the people. ZEISS experts are on-site, ready to help startups get the most out of the technology. Whether it’s guiding experiment design or providing hands-on support, they make advanced microscopy accessible to everyone.
As Vimal Gangadharan, Head of Growth Marketing at ZEISS Microscopy shared, “The goal is to make microscopy accessible and easy to use. With support from our experts, you can optimally design your imaging experiments and make meaningful deductions from the data faster.”
This means even early-stage startups can produce high-quality results without needing a dedicated microscopy specialist on their team.
Ecosystem-Driven Collaboration
So, why CIC Philadelphia? It all comes down to community. Philadelphia’s biotech scene is booming, and CIC is right at the heart of it. As Vimal Gangadharan explained, “It’s not about what ZEISS or CIC wants; it’s about what this community needs.”
Hilary Schultz, CEO of Persephoni BioPartners, shared that partnering with CIC Philadelphia was a deliberate decision; “Persephoni is at CIC Philadelphia not by chance but by choice. Philadelphia’s greatest value is the conviction behind the scientists here.”
She also highlighted how access to cutting-edge equipment like ZEISS can be a game-changer: “When our Venture Studio selects a company to onboard, it’s because we see something worth betting on. Of the hundreds of companies we’ve looked at, there’s a key differentiator in the quality of data, which is directly tied to the facilities and equipment they have access to.”
In short, the right tools in the right environment can make all the difference.
Driving the Future of Life Science Innovation
The ZEISS Microscopy Solutions Center at CIC Philadelphia was launched with the intention of becoming a launchpad for life science startups in the region. With cutting-edge technology, hands-on expert support, and a vibrant community, it’s designed to help innovators push the boundaries of what’s possible.
