Doroth Raises US$4.5 Million to Build Latin America’s First Microfluidic Chip Plant

Doroth, a Brazilian deeptech specializing in lab-on-a-chip platforms for molecular diagnostics, has raised R$23 million, approximately US$4.51 million, in a round led by Brazilian biotechnology, instrumentation and molecular diagnostics company Loccus.

The investment combines private capital with funding from Finep and Fapesp, and will support the startup's transition from research and validation toward industrial-scale production.

Doroth and Loccus combine research and industrial capabilities

The investment is based on the complementary capabilities of both companies. While Loccus brings production capacity, infrastructure, industrial expertise and innovation focused on human and animal health, Doroth contributes its scientific expertise and ability to develop projects and secure funding.

According to Eduardo Araújo, CEO of Loccus, the combination addresses a key limitation in bringing Doroth's technologies to market.

“We have production and innovation capabilities, with a strong focus on human and animal health. Doroth, meanwhile, has an immense body of scientific knowledge because of the leading researchers working there, but it does not have the production capacity to scale its inventions.”

Under the new structure, Doroth will focus on product development and fundraising, while Loccus will contribute manufacturing capabilities, infrastructure, scientific knowledge, regulatory support and the integration of technologies already present in its portfolio.

The companies expect this combination to shorten the path between technological development and commercialization while accelerating the development of new tests and increasing the production of equipment, chips and reagents.

A new microfluidic chip manufacturing facility

One of the main investments supported by the transaction will be the construction of what Doroth describes as Latin America's first microfluidic chip manufacturing facility.

According to Rodrigo Gurdos, Doroth's founder and Director of New Business, the facility will have the capacity to produce up to 4 million chips per year.

The plant is expected to be fully automated, using precision robots to handle lyophilized beads, which are spheres containing dehydrated reagents used in diagnostic tests. It will also include self-sufficient production of proprietary enzymes for qPCR, LAMP and Extreme PCR, molecular amplification techniques used in diagnostics.

The facility will also produce lyobeads and feature a production line equipped with delta robots to assemble chips without human handling.

The installed capacity is expected to support Doroth's first stage of expansion in the agricultural market. Among the products the new plant is expected to enable is Extreme PCR, an enzyme that, according to Gurdos, can deliver results in less than five minutes.

What Doroth's lab-on-a-chip technology does

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Doroth combines expertise in molecular biology, microfluidics, engineering, electronics, optics, automation and software.

Its platforms integrate laboratory processes into compact and automated equipment, including sample preparation, genetic material extraction, amplification and result analysis.

The technology is designed to identify pathogens, microorganisms, genetically modified organisms and resistance genes in samples such as leaves, seeds, grains, milk and meat.

These applications can be used across different stages of the agribusiness value chain, from plant and animal health to raw material quality, traceability and the control of agroindustrial processes.

The platform can also detect viruses, bacteria and other infectious agents in insect vectors, including the corn leafhopper, which is relevant to agricultural health, and Aedes aegypti, which is associated with public health.

From research and validation to industrial-scale production

Doroth already develops projects with major companies in the agribusiness sector. For the company, the partnership with Loccus represents a shift from a phase centered on research and technology validation toward industrial-scale production.

The integration of the two companies is also expected to strengthen a domestic technology chain spanning enzymes and molecular assays to sensors, automated instruments and microfluidic consumables.

The resources will therefore support the expansion of Doroth's research, development and production structure, including the implementation of a microfluidic chip industry with proprietary reagents embedded in the chips.

The objective is to turn technologies developed entirely in Brazil into products manufactured at scale, reducing dependence on imported reagents and sensors while expanding access to decentralized molecular diagnostics for the agribusiness sector.

“By bringing the companies together, we create an unbeatable team. We have the best creative minds on both sides, a production process that serves both companies and distribution channels that will be used by Doroth,” said Eduardo Araújo.

Loccus expands its deeptech strategy

The transaction also strengthens Loccus' expansion strategy through open innovation, venture building and Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) initiatives, particularly its Bios and Nanos programs.

Since their creation, more than 20 deeptechs have been selected to join the company's ecosystem.

The Bios program focuses on startups working in biotechnology, healthcare, agribusiness, molecular diagnostics and bioeconomy. Nanos, meanwhile, focuses on nanotechnology, advanced materials and high-complexity technologies, connecting startups, researchers, scientific institutions and industry.

The round was supported by MOA Ventures, which advised Loccus on structuring the investment and also coordinates the Bios and Nanos programs.

On Doroth's side, the transaction was advised by S4 Consultoria, which acted as the company's exclusive financial advisor throughout the structuring, negotiation and closing of the deal.