NIRvana Sciences, a startup company commercializing synthetic red and near-infrared fluorescent dyes for use in diagnostics and imaging, has been acquired by Waters Biosciences, a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics. 

The startup was acquired by Waters in May 2025 to expand the company’s portfolio of high-performance fluorescent dyes used in flow cytometry and other biomedical applications.

NIRvana Sciences — formed in 2011 and based in Durham, North Carolina — licensed intellectual property from NC State University, which originated in the lab of Jonathan Lindsey, the Glaxo Distinguished University Chair in the Department of Chemistry.

Lindsey’s research focuses on the design and synthesis of chlorin and bacteriochlorin molecules that mimic naturally occurring compounds used in light-driven biological processes, and he has also investigated novel approaches that leverage organic chemistry for cancer diagnosis and the development of novel therapeutics. His work has led to the formation of two research-based startup companies. 

Around 2000, students of Lindsey, and of two of his colleagues at other universities, posed a basic question: Is it possible to change the color of chlorophyll?

The ensuing curiosity-driven research program would eventually yield a palette of designer chlorophylls with distinct colors. 

“It is very gratifying that what the students worked so hard on has revealed hidden secrets in the chlorophyll structure and proved beneficial for human health,” Lindsey said. “It was the combination of the NC State Research Commercialization office with an entrepreneurial team — led by NIRvana CEO Russell Thomas — that made commercialization of the science possible.” 

NIRvana Sciences leveraged support from state funding agencies such as the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, NC IDEA and the One NC Small Business Program, as well as the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies to support critical research and development activities. 

Since its launch, NIRvana has raised more than $3.5 million from regional investors and has grown to eight employees.