Microbia Environnement

What Microbia Environnement does

Microbia Environnement is a French biotechnology company (SAS) founded in 2013 as a spin-off from Université Pierre et Marie Curie, headquartered in Argelès-sur-Mer with a registered office in Saint-Jean-Lasseille, France. The company develops and commercializes genetic biosensors based on its proprietary CARLA (Cellular Activity RNA-based eLisA) technology, which uses sandwich RNA/DNA hybridization in a 96-well microplate ELISA format to detect ribosomal RNA (rRNA) as a proxy for the metabolic activity of toxigenic cyanobacteria and marine microalgae. The product portfolio comprises eight species-specific CARLA kits targeting freshwater cyanobacteria genera (Microcystis, Planktothrix, Anabaena/Dolichospermum/Aphanizomenon, Cylindrospermopsis, Phormidium/Oscillatoria) and marine microalgae genera (Alexandrium, Dinophysis, Pseudo-nitzschia), plus complementary hardware (SOFiA portable filtration system at €1,200, Sample Preparation Kit at €300) and service offerings including metabarcoding-based microbial community profiling (from €500 per analysis) and a toxigenic bloom prediction service. The technology achieves detection sensitivity of 50–100 cells/ml with results delivered in under three hours for up to 43 duplicate samples, positioning it 2–5 days earlier than classical microscopy methods for harmful algal bloom early warning.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining product-led e-commerce (WooCommerce storefront for direct kit purchases) with enterprise field sales for R&D services and custom monitoring programs, supplemented by channel partnerships with environmental consulting firms (ECOMA, ASOCEAN, ARTEMIS, IKOSISTEMA) and a regional distribution partnership with Inovalys in Pays de la Loire. Customer segments include aquaculture professionals (shellfish and fish farmers), water supply utilities managing surface water intakes, recreational water managers (lakes, rivers, bathing sites), and research institutions. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time kit sales (€485–€650 per kit with volume discounts), hardware sales, and professional services for monitoring programs and consulting, with publicly disclosed pricing and a first-purchase discount of 35%. Microbia is supported by R&D collaborations with CEA, INRAE, IFREMER, and NIB (Slovenia), has participated in EU-funded projects including CYATOX-Track, DIATox, and SMS, and holds four granted patents on CARLA technology (two French, two international WIPO). The company has raised a single disclosed funding round of approximately $678K in 2017 from Capitole Angels and MELIES Business Angels and remains founder-owned with 1–10 employees.

Name

Microbia Environnement

Legal name

Microbia Environnement Société par Action Simplifiées

Website

https://microbia-environnement.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Microbia Environnement is a French biotechnology company that develops patented CARLA genetic biosensors for early detection of toxigenic cyanobacteria and marine microalgae in water, selling kits, hardware, and monitoring services to aquaculture operators, water utilities, and recreational water managers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Diagnostic Kits

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbiology & Pathogen Monitoring (Legionella, Coliform, HABs) (EUAHACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Microbiome/Baseline Trending & Data Analytics (EMP Trending, Mapping) (AFALAEAI), Microbiome & Metagenomics Services (HLAGANAH)

Keywords

• Environmental diagnostics
• Harmful algal blooms
• Water quality monitoring
• Genetic biosensors
• Cyanobacteria detection

Headquarters

HQ city

Banyuls-sur-mer

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Diagnostic Kits Sales: Sale of CARLA detection kits for cyanobacteria and microalgae. Kit formats include 96-well microplates with reagents, standards, and protocols. One-time purchase model with volume discounts for repeat customers.
2. Equipment Sales: Sale of SOFiA autonomous filtration systems and Sample Preparation Kits as complementary products to CARLA testing.
3. R&D Testing Services: Laboratory diagnostic services including metabarcoding for microbial community analysis, and environmental monitoring services for water quality assessment. Provides custom sampling strategies and detailed reporting.
4. Consulting Services: Technical support, training, and decision-making assistance for water resource management and cyanobacteria bloom monitoring programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Microbia Environnement designs, manufactures, and sells genetic biosensor kits based on its patented CARLA (Cellular Activity RNA-based eLisA) technology for the rapid colorimetric detection of toxigenic cyanobacteria and marine microalgae in marine, brackish, and freshwater environments. The portfolio includes species-specific CARLA kits for the major toxin-producing genera (Microcystis, Planktothrix, ADA, Cylindrospermopsis, Phormidium/Oscillatoria, Alexandrium, Dinophysis, Pseudo-nitzschia) together with the SOFiA portable filtration device, a sample preparation kit, and laboratory R&D services such as metabarcoding and toxigenic bloom forecasting for aquaculture, water utility, recreational water, and research customers.

Product overview

Microbia Environnement offers a portfolio of genetic biosensor products centered on the CARLA (Cellular Activity RNA-based eLisA) technology platform for the detection of toxigenic cyanobacteria and microalgae in aquatic environments. The core offering consists of 8 CARLA kit variants targeting specific cyanobacteria (Microcystis, Planktothrix, ADA/Anabaena/Dolichospermum/Aphanizomenon, Cylindrospermopsis, Phormidium/Oscillatoria) and marine microalgae (Alexandrium, Dinophysis, Pseudo-nitzschia). Supporting hardware includes the SOFiA autonomous filtration system for standardized water sampling, and the Sample Preparation Kit for cell lysis and RNA extraction. Services include metabarcoding for comprehensive microbial community profiling and toxigenic bloom prediction using the CARLA platform. All CARLA kits are standardized, colorimetric sandwich hybridization ELISA assays measuring ribosomal RNA activity in under 3 hours, with results readable by spectrophotometry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CARLA Kit Microcystis Sequence-specific hybridization biosensor kit for the detection of Microcystis sp. cyanobacteria ribosomal RNA (rRNA), providing a colorimetric signal readable by spectrophotometry in a 96-well microplate format with a detection sensitivity of 50–100 cells/ml and results in less than 3 hours. Targeted at aquaculture operators, water utilities, and research labs.
• CARLA Kit Planktothrix Sequence-specific hybridization biosensor kit for the detection of Planktothrix sp. cyanobacteria ribosomal RNA (rRNA) providing a proportional colorimetric signal in a standardized 96-well microplate format. Used by freshwater managers and research customers for early warning of Planktothrix blooms.
• CARLA Kit ADA (Anabaena / Dolichospermum / Aphanizomenon) Sequence-specific hybridization biosensor kit targeting ribosomal RNA of Anabaena, Dolichospermum, and Aphanizomenon genera of cyanobacteria, providing a proportional colorimetric signal in 96-well microplate format. Designed for monitoring toxigenic cyanobacteria where recent taxonomies do not clearly discriminate these genera.
• CARLA Kit Cylindrospermopsis Sequence-specific hybridization biosensor kit for the detection of Cylindrospermopsis sp. cyanobacteria ribosomal RNA (rRNA) providing a proportional colorimetric signal in 96-well microplate format. Targeted at water utilities and lake managers monitoring invasive toxic blooms.
• CARLA Kit Phormidium / Oscillatoria Sequence-specific hybridization biosensor kit for the detection of benthic river cyanobacteria Phormidium sp. and Oscillatoria sp. ribosomal RNA (rRNA) providing a proportional colorimetric signal. Designed for monitoring benthic proliferations in rivers and recreational sites.
• CARLA Kit Alexandrium Sequence-specific hybridization biosensor kit for the detection of Alexandrium sp. marine microalgae ribosomal RNA (rRNA) providing a proportional colorimetric signal readable by spectrophotometry. Targeted at shellfish farmers and coastal managers monitoring paralytic shellfish poisoning risk.
• CARLA Kit Dinophysis Sequence-specific hybridization biosensor kit for the detection of Dinophysis sp. marine microalgae ribosomal RNA (rRNA) providing a proportional colorimetric signal readable by spectrophotometry. Targeted at shellfish farmers monitoring diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) risk.
• CARLA Kit Pseudo-nitzschia Sequence-specific hybridization biosensor kit for the detection of Pseudo-nitzschia sp. marine microalgae ribosomal RNA (rRNA) providing a proportional colorimetric signal readable by spectrophotometry. Targeted at shellfish farmers monitoring amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) risk.
• SOFiA Autonomous Filtration System Handheld peristaltic pump coupled with a filtration system for fast, standardized sampling of surface water in the field. Lightweight, portable, rugged, water-resistant, and requiring minimal maintenance; specifically optimized for on-the-spot filtration prior to CARLA biosensor testing.
• Sample Preparation Kit Complete kit for cell lysis and RNA extraction from water samples, supporting the CARLA pipeline with 2 mL tubes containing 1 mm glass beads, filter columns, wash buffer, lysis buffer, and prep buffer (50 preparations). Compatible with Zymo Research protocols.
• Metabarcoding / Microbiological Diagnosis Service Genetic inventory service using high-throughput sequencing (metabarcoding) to characterize microbial communities in water samples, providing semi-quantitative species lists for bacteria, cyanobacteria, and protozoa. For research institutes, water managers, and consulting firms needing exhaustive microbial profiling, bioindicator, pathogen, and toxin-producing organism identification.
• Toxigenic Bloom Prediction Service Early-warning and predictive monitoring service for toxigenic cyanobacteria and microalgae blooms using the CARLA biosensor platform, delivering near real-time monitoring of indicator species to secure water resources and protect populations. For water utilities, aquaculture operators, and recreational water managers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Detection sensitivity of 50-100 cells/ml
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• InovalyscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional partnership for deploying cyanobacteria biosensors in Pays de la Loire region. Inovalys serves as distribution partner facilitating access to local water managers, bathing site operators, and freshwater fishing federations through webinar demonstrations and local deployment.
• ECOMAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent environmental consulting firm specializing in aquatic ecosystem ecology. Uses Microbia biosensors for water quality assessment and bioindicator-based diagnostics for clients.
• ASOCEANminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnvironmental engineering and ecological consulting firm for aquatic environments, particularly coastal, lagoon, and estuarine systems along the French Mediterranean coast.
• ARTEMISminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent phycological consulting firm specializing in freshwater diatoms. Operates in IBD and IPLAC biological indices for water quality assessment.
• IKOSISTEMAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent consulting firm specializing in microscopic algae: marine phytoplankton and freshwater diatoms and cyanophytes. Field operator for hydrobiology services.
• Surfrider Foundation EuropeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit association for protection and enhancement of lakes, rivers, oceans, waves, and coastlines. Active in water quality and health usage issues across 11 countries with over 13,000 members.
• CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. R&D collaboration partner with Direct Analysis spin-off originating from CEA research.
• INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research institute for agriculture, food, and environment. Collaborative R&D partner for cyanobacteria and water quality research projects including CYANOSAFE study.
• IFREMERcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea. R&D partner for marine environment monitoring and aquaculture health research.
• NIB (National Institute of Biology, Slovenia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlovenian national research institute collaborating on European SMS project for marine monitoring.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ALS Global: International testing services network with extensive water and environmental microbiology offerings. Comparable as a contract laboratory competitor for environmental monitoring and water quality assessment services in Europe.
• IDEXX Laboratories: Established molecular diagnostics company with significant water testing product lines (Colilert, Enterolert) for source and drinking water. Comparable as a larger incumbent serving overlapping water utility customers with rapid microbiology detection tests.
• Hach (Veralto): Major water quality instruments and reagents supplier serving utilities, aquaculture, and environmental labs. Comparable as a scaled provider of water quality monitoring tools and consumables, with overlapping customer base in drinking water and recreational water monitoring.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global environmental testing services giant offering water quality and microbial community analyses, including molecular methods. Comparable as a scaled provider in the same environmental microbiology testing category where Microbia's metabarcoding service competes.
• bioMérieux: Global in vitro diagnostics and industrial microbiology company with molecular and culture-based microbial detection platforms. Comparable as an established microbiology diagnostics player whose molecular and culture-based methods compete for the same environmental microbiology testing budgets.
• Sea-Bird Scientific (Danaher): Provider of oceanographic and water quality sensors, including chlorophyll/fluorescence sensors used in HAB monitoring programs. Comparable as an established instrumentation vendor serving overlapping marine and freshwater monitoring customers.

Emerging players

• Stilla Technologies: French molecular diagnostics company specializing in digital PCR (Naica system) for sensitive nucleic acid detection. Comparable as a French emerging player with overlapping molecular detection capabilities applicable to waterborne pathogen and microbial monitoring programs.

Direct peers

• CytoBuoy: Specialist in high-resolution flow cytometry for phytoplankton and cyanobacteria characterization. Comparable as a direct competitor providing advanced instrumentation for identifying and quantifying harmful algae in water samples at research and monitoring sites.
• Turner Designs: Manufacturer of in vivo and extractive chlorophyll fluorescence instruments widely used for harmful algal bloom and cyanobacteria monitoring. Comparable as a direct competitor providing field-deployable fluorometric tools for the same HAB early-warning use cases.
• bbe Moldaenke: German specialist manufacturer of in vivo fluorescence-based instruments (e.g., bbe FluoroProbe) for detecting and classifying phytoplankton, including cyanobacteria, in water. Comparable as a direct competitor offering rapid algae class identification tools to the same utility, aquaculture, and research customers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Microbia Environnement