SIRIUSXT LIMITED

Their core work

SiriusXT develops compact soft X-ray microscopy and nano-tomography instruments that allow researchers to image whole cells in 3D without the need for a synchrotron facility. Their core technology miniaturizes synchrotron-grade X-ray imaging into laboratory-scale equipment, enabling structural biology, drug discovery, and disease research directly in university and pharma labs. They bridge the gap between electron microscopy and optical microscopy by offering a non-destructive, high-resolution cell imaging solution at the nanoscale.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

SiriusXT's trajectory shows a classic deep-tech commercialization arc. Their early projects (SMILE, COEXIST, 2017-2019) focused on the physics and engineering challenge — miniaturizing synchrotron X-ray sources into compact laboratory equipment. By 2020-2023, the focus shifted decisively toward biological applications: cell imaging, disease research, drug discovery, cancer, and eventually COVID-19/virology through CoCID. The technology remained constant but the framing moved from instrument development to biomedical impact.

SiriusXT is moving from instrument builder to biomedical imaging platform provider, increasingly targeting disease-specific applications like virology and cancer — expect future work in clinical diagnostics or pharma screening.

How they like to work

SiriusXT predominantly leads its projects, coordinating 3 out of 4 H2020 grants, which is remarkable for an SME. They work in small, focused consortia (6 unique partners across 4 countries), suggesting they select specialist collaborators rather than building large networks. This is a technology-driven company that sets the research agenda rather than filling a niche in someone else's consortium.

A compact but purposeful network of 6 partners across 4 countries, reflecting targeted collaborations with specific research groups and end-users rather than broad networking. Their Irish base and European partnerships suggest strong ties to the photonics and structural biology communities.

What sets them apart

SiriusXT occupies a rare niche: they are one of very few companies worldwide developing commercial soft X-ray microscopes compact enough for standard laboratories. Where competitors require synchrotron beamline access (expensive, limited slots), SiriusXT's instruments bring the same imaging capability in-house. For consortium builders, they offer both the hardware and the application expertise — a one-stop partner for any project needing nanoscale 3D cell imaging.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SMILE
  Their flagship project (EUR 3M) that funded the core technology breakthrough — miniaturizing synchrotron X-ray tomography into lab-scale equipment.
• CoCID
  Their most recent and applied project, pivoting the imaging platform toward virology and COVID-19 vaccine research — demonstrates real-world biomedical impact.
• LICENT
  The bridge project that transformed their physics instrument into a dedicated life-science tool for cancer research and drug discovery.