Rapid Micro Biosystems, a leading provider of automated, non-destructive, rapid microbial detection for quality control testing within the pharmaceutical, personal care products and medical device market segments, today announced that it has raised $25 million in Series C equity financing. The financing will be used to expand global commercial and manufacturing operations in support of the industry leading Growth Direct^TM System across the applications of environmental monitoring, sterility and bioburden testing.

The round included financing from new investors, Hepalink USA Inc. and Richard K. Mellon and Sons, along with continued participation from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Longitude Capital, Quaker Partners, TPG Biotech, and TVM Capital.

“We are eager to be part of an innovative company like Rapid Micro Biosystems that can offer a tangible return on investment through process automation and rapid detection to a vast array of microbial quality control laboratories across industries,” said Shawn Lu, Director & CFO at Hepalink USA Inc.

“Rapid Micro Biosystems’ innovative technology is well positioned to meet the customer requirements for automated microbial detection and enumeration.” said Fred Cohen M.D., D.Phil., Partner and Managing Director, TPG Biotech. “We are pleased to continue to play a role in the Company’s growth.”

The Growth Direct^TM System is the only system on the market where all the quality control applications can be run both concurrently and automatically on a single instrument. The system provides results starting within just hours; sending problem alerts so that decision-making and remedial action can begin immediately. Leveraging an already proven detection technology, the Growth Direct^TM System delivers exceptional enhancements to productivity, faster response time and reduction in errors.

“Since the commercial launch of the next generation Growth Direct™ System last year, we have seen tremendous positive response from the world’s leading pharmaceutical, personal care and medical device companies,” said Robert Spignesi, President and CEO. “This additional investment will fuel our strategic expansion plans.”