Clee Medical Secures Seed Financing for Brain Surgery Vision Tech

The Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering Geneva has wrapped a seed financing round for Clee Medical SA, a Swiss neurotechnology spin-off developing ultra-high-resolution real-time intraoperative imaging for brain surgery. High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) led the funding round, with other support coming from Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), Kickfund, FONGIT, Venture Kick, and existing investors Wyss Center Geneva.

Clee Medical spun out from Wyss Geneva’s Minimally Invasive Intracranial Access (MICA) research project in December 2024. Its flagship platform, Neuro Access, combines OCT imaging with advanced navigation to help neurosurgeons visualize brain anatomy and critical structures in real time during stereotactic procedures.

“Clee Medical not only holds the promise of improving patient outcomes but also highlights Wyss Geneva’s dedication to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and real-world impact.” Wyss Geneva CEO Dr. Erwin Böttinger said.

Surgeons currently performing brain procedures largely rely on scans taken before the operation. But once surgery begins, the brain can shift, and those pre-operative images are no longer accurate. Neuro Access changes such potential disparity by giving surgeons a live, detailed view of exactly what they are navigating in real time, as they operate.

The device is a slender probe, no wider than instruments already used in common brain procedures, so it fits naturally into existing surgical practice without requiring new techniques or equipment. It can spot important structures, including blood vessels, before the surgeon reaches them, significantly reducing the risk of accidental damage. The result is a smarter, safer way to perform brain surgery, with real potential to improve outcomes for the millions of patients who undergo these procedures each year, according to the company.

“Neurosurgery still relies heavily on pre-operative imaging, while the reality in the operating room is dynamic and uncertain. This seed round allows us to bring a new level of real-time visibility into the brain, supporting safer procedures and expanding what minimally invasive neurosurgery can achieve,” Clee Medical Co-Founder/CEO Matthew Lapinski stated.

The seed funding round will allow Clee Medical to move from the research phase into real clinical testing. The company plans to use the money to further develop the Neuro Access platform, run an initial study with human patients, and complete the regulatory steps needed to bring the product to market.

Clee Medical SA is a Geneva-based medical technology company developing the Neuro Access platform—a minimally invasive neurotechnology solution combining ultra-high-resolution real-time OCT imaging with surgical navigation for precision brain surgery. Clee Medical emerged from cutting-edge neuroscience research at the Wyss Center Geneva in 2024, backed by the continued support of the Wyss venture ecosystem. Founded in 2024, Clee Medical was named one of the Top 100 Swiss Startups in 2025.

Wyss Geneva is an independent, not-for-profit neuro venture builder with strong translational R&D roots, committed to transforming the treatment of neurological and mental health disorders. Based at Campus Biotech in Geneva, the Center drives innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence, bioengineering, and neuroengineering to restore neural functions and deliver precision therapies. Established in 2014 with the support of Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Hansjörg Wyss, the Center collaborates with ventures, clinical and academic institutions, industry partners, and investors to push the boundaries of neurotechnology.