Business
28 January 2026
MARS Bioimaging Ltd
MARS Bioimaging is scaling its breakthrough medical tech globally. See how this Christchurch health tech leader is revolutionising next-gen diagnostics.
Health Tech
MARS Bioimaging takes next leap in medical imaging
Christchurch health tech company MARS Bioimaging is accelerating global adoption of its breakthrough medical imaging technology following a major investment round, positioning Ōtautahi Christchurch at the forefront of next-generation diagnostics.
Christchurch-headquartered MARS Bioimaging, a pioneer of portable spectral photon-counting CT scanners, has raised $15 million investment to support its commercial expansion across the United States, New Zealand and emerging markets.
The round was led by New Zealand venture capital firm Pacific Channel and included new international investors from Singapore and Switzerland, the latter secured through the New Zealand Government’s Active Investor Plus (AIP) programme with support from NZTE and Invest New Zealand.
What does the investment mean for MARS Bioimaging?
The capital will be used to scale adoption of MARS’ scanners, which deliver high-resolution 3D colour X-ray images that allow clinicians and researchers to see different tissues, materials and structures in unprecedented detail.
“This investment gives us the momentum to scale adoption of our diagnostic and clinical research scanners and drive meaningful improvements in health economics and equity,” says Christopher Stoelhorst, Chairman of MARS Bioimaging.
Leading the MARS Bioimaging team is Dr Ojas Mahapatra, the company’s Group CEO.
"We’re on a mission to transform point-of-care diagnostic solutions for patients and healthcare providers, and advance premium imaging in the community."Dr Ojas Mahapatra - MARS Bioimaging's Group CEO
What makes MARS Bioimaging technology unique?
MARS Bioimaging has developed the world’s first commercially available portable spectral photon-counting CT scanners – the MARS Extremity and Microlab systems – designed for both clinical diagnosis and pre-clinical research.
Unlike traditional CT scanners, which produce low-resolution black-and-white images, MARS’ technology measures every individual X-ray photon as it passes through the body.
“We use a technique called spectral photon counting. Basically, we measure each individual photon in an X-ray beam and analyse its energy, wavelength, or colour. This helps us get more detailed information about the tissues we're imaging,” says Professor Anthony Butler, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer.
“Unlike traditional X-rays, which measure the entire beam in aggregate and don’t account for the energy of each photon, our method allows us to understand what specific types of tissues the X-rays pass through.”
That capability enables high-resolution, multi-material images that can distinguish between bone, soft tissue, blood vessels and even metallic implants – often without the need for injected contrast agents.
“Firstly, our technology provides extremely high resolution”, says Butler. “Second, it allows us to use a lower radiation dose due to the precise photon counting. Thirdly, we can analyse the energy of the X-rays to reduce image artifacts, like those from metal implants, and measure tissue properties, such as calcium concentration.”
"We use a technique called spectral photon counting. Basically, we measure each individual photon in an X-ray beam and analyse its energy, wavelength, or colour. This helps us get more detailed information about the tissues we're imaging,”Anthony Butler - Co-founder & Chief Medical Officer, MARS Bioimaging
From Christchurch to the world
MARS’ scanners are designed for point-of-care use, meaning hospital-grade imaging can be delivered directly in clinics, research labs and community healthcare settings.
The company’s first commercial scanner is optimised for wrist imaging, an area where fast, high-quality diagnosis can have a major impact on recovery, return to work and quality of life.
“We’re focused on providing the highest quality medical images at the point-of-care. Our first scanner is designed specifically for wrist imaging, which is crucial since a wrist injury can really impact your daily life,” says Butler.
MARS is now building sales and market presence in New Zealand and the United States, with its technology moving through clinical pathways and being adopted for both diagnostic and research use.
“This investment allows us to build our market capability, including expanding our sales and business development teams in New Zealand and the United States,” says Dr Mahapatra. “Our new investors will also help open access to emerging markets, while NZTE will continue to be an important partner supporting our international expansion.”
Why is health tech flourishing in Christchurch?
MARS Bioimaging is one of a growing number of globally focused health-tech companies choosing to scale from Ōtautahi Christchurch, drawn by its unique concentration of clinical, research and commercial capability.
“Christchurch is New Zealand's second biggest hub for health tech and one of the most concentrated, with many companies located in the health precinct. While Auckland is larger, Christchurch stands out for connectedness. I think the health precinct is a standout – I see that connection between the hospital, universities and local industry as essential. There's only one place I can think of that links it quite so well – Boston, in the United States,” says Butler.
“There’s a fantastic, tight-knit ecosystem in Christchurch. I know most of the medical physicists and computer scientists at the University of Canterbury, along with all the local radiologists and many surgeons, which makes networking and collaboration easy.”
“Christchurch’s size actually facilitates multidisciplinary research and commercialisation, making things smoother than in larger, more fragmented cities.”
That combination of deep technical talent and lifestyle appeal is also helping MARS compete for world-class staff.
“I think one of our main selling points is that work/life balance. The same people who are working hard for us during the week are rock climbing and mountain biking at the weekend. In Christchurch, you run into people who have left Silicon Valley and other large tech hubs for a better lifestyle.”Anthony Butler - Co-founder & Chief Medical Officer, MARS Bioimaging
Christchurch: a gateway for global health innovation
With international capital now backing its expansion and commercial adoption accelerating, MARS Bioimaging is emerging as one of Christchurch’s most globally significant health tech success stories.
As its scanners move into hospitals, clinics and research facilities around the world, they also reinforce Christchurch’s role as a place where complex, high-value medical technology can be developed, tested and scaled for global impact.
Key takeaways
- MARS Bioimaging is accelerating commercial adoption of its portable spectral CT scanners across New Zealand, the United States and emerging markets, backed by significant international investment.
- The company’s photon-counting CT technology delivers high-resolution 3D colour X-ray images with lower radiation doses, enabling more precise, point-of-care diagnosis and research.
- MARS’ growth highlights Ōtautahi Christchurch’s strength as a globally connected health-tech hub, combining clinical expertise, research depth and a highly collaborative innovation ecosystem.
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