Almost a year after gaining its independence, XIMED, a startup born from ALPhANOV's incubation program, has distinguished itself by winning the 2025 Bpifrance i-Lab national competition. This award is a major recognition for the young deeptech company, which is developing PhoeniX, a new generation of mammography systems based on X-ray phase-contrast imaging.
 

A breakthrough innovation recognized by the 2025 Bpifrance i-Lab competition

With PhoeniX, XIMED introduces a completely new approach to breast imaging.

Thanks to its unique dual phase-contrast detection technology, the system enables ultra-precise characterization of microcalcifications, which are often associated with precancerous lesions.
This advancement paves the way for a significant reduction in the number of macrobiopsies performed worldwide—estimated at about 4 million annually, with 80% proving benign—and enhances diagnostic confidence for healthcare professionals.

By joining the ranks of this year's laureates, XIMED confirms the scientific and clinical relevance of the PhoeniX system, validated by a panel of renowned experts. With the support of Bpifrance, this distinction will accelerate the technological and industrial development of the system, paving the way for clinical integration by 2029.

XIMED’s ambition is clear: To make PhoeniX a certified, industrialized clinical device, and the new gold standard in mammography, in France and beyond.

A journey supported by ALPhANOV

Founded by Najia TAMDA and Aboubakr BAKKALI, XIMED traces its origins to the XPulse collaborative project, which aimed to develop an innovative X-ray imaging system using intense lasers for the early detection of breast cancer.

From its earliest stages, XIMED was supported by ALPhANOV, benefiting from a technological, scientific, and human environment that fostered the maturation of its innovation. 

Since then, the company has achieved remarkable milestones, being featured in leading publications such as Tech Imago, Docteur Imago, and earning double selection at the Journées Francophones de Radiologie (JFR 2025), a major event for medical imaging professionals.

Today, this i-Lab award recognizes a vision born at the heart of our photonics ecosystem, driven by XIMED's scientific rigor and clinical ambition.