NIRLAB Acquired by 908 Devices

NIRLAB, the Swiss startup behind a handheld near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy platform, has been acquired by 908 Devices. The ＄23 Million deal marks a major milestone for the Vaud-based company that, in just five years, has expanded into around fifty countries worldwide.

By joining forces with US company 908 Devices, NIRLAB combines its AI-powered, cloud-connected NIR platform with 908 Devices’ trusted trace and bulk chemical identification technology, creating a more comprehensive, end-to-end workflow for law enforcement and frontline users. NIRLAB’s handheld solution, validated through more than one million field analyses, allows officers to identify all major illicit drugs in seconds and obtain quantitative purity results on site, supporting faster and safer decisions where it matters most. The company’s On-Demand Solution will continue to serve customers in other industries, maintaining the flexibility and support they rely on.

The story began in 2016, when Florentin Coppey, then a doctoral researcher at University of Lausanne, set out to replace bulky laboratory analysis equipment with something compact, portable and fast. Four years of development with Professor Pierre Esseiva led, in March 2021, to the creation of NIRLAB.

The concept is elegantly simple: a small infrared “torch” illuminates a sample, whether cannabis, powder, plastic or even food, and the device analyses the reflected light. Within seconds, an app delivers a full set of scientific data, from THC concentration to other key components, with results comparable to those of a laboratory.

Originally designed for police use in on-the-spot drug analysis, the technology has since broadened considerably to other products. NIRLAB’s tools now analyse organic substances of plant or animal origin, as well as products from the chemical industry, opening the door to applications far beyond law enforcement. The device can also measure protein and fat content in cereals and meat, a capability of particular interest to the food and agricultural sectors.

With this acquisition, NIRLAB enters a new phase, backed by 908 Devices’ global reach, while staying true to the mission that has driven it since the start: putting laboratory-grade analysis in the palm of your hand, anywhere in the world.

➡️ Sources: NIRLab, Startupticker | 📸 ©908 Devices