Plasmion GmbH
Shimadzu Corporation has acquired a 75 percent stake in Plasmion GmbH, making the Augsburg, Germany-based startup a subsidiary. The acquisition, completed on March 23, gives Shimadzu access to Plasmion’s SICRIT ion source technology and related technologies as it works to strengthen its mass spectrometry business.
SICRIT, or Soft Ionization by Chemical Reaction In Transfer, addresses limitations of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and related applications. The technology directly ionizes analytes with high sensitivity without complex sample pretreatment. This capability supports high-sensitivity, real-time analysis that had proved difficult with existing approaches.
Plasmion’s SICRIT technology already supports applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and food and beverage analysis. Current uses include the search for disease markers in exhaled breath, monitoring trace hazardous substances in the environment, and non-destructive analysis of aroma components in food and beverages.
Shimadzu and Plasmion have collaborated since 2019 through technical information exchange, the lending of Shimadzu products, and SICRIT application development. Plasmion’s founders, CEO Dr. Thomas Wolf and CTO Dr. Jan-Christoph Wolf, will continue to hold 25 percent of the company’s shares and remain involved in management.
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“We are truly excited to join forces with Shimadzu – a global leader in analytical instrumentation whose company vision aligns seamlessly with our own.”
“What began as a collaborative relationship in 2019 has grown into something far more profound: a shared commitment to redefining what ion source technology can contribute to the future of mass spectrometry.”
Shimadzu plans to develop next-generation mass spectrometers by integrating SICRIT technology with its MS-related technologies.
Plasmion will continue to support and sell its SICRIT portfolio independently, according to the press release. Customers will retain the option to use SICRIT with different MS instrument platforms. Plasmion and its sales and service partners will also continue to support installed customers through system maintenance, application training, method development, technical consultation, after-sales service, and communication regarding future upgrades.
Ongoing research projects, sample testing, tender projects, joint application development, and customer validation activities will continue as usual. Plasmion will remain based in Augsburg under its current leadership, and the company will continue its supply, production, and distribution processes for SICRIT products.
This article is based on a press release issued by Plasmion GmbH.
