NLC Health Ventures launches new venture revolutionizing Rheumatoid Arthritis care

NLC Health Ventures introduces Rheumasense, its newest venture poised to transform rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management through real-time, machine-learning-powered biomarker diagnostics. In collaboration with Mayo Clinic, Rheumasense leverages an innovative technology to empower clinicians with precise and timely insights, enabling personalized care for RA patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects over 18 million people globally and is a chronic autoimmune disease causing debilitating pain, joint damage, and a significant decline in quality of life. Despite its prevalence, patient outcomes are also compromised due to a lack of objective assessment tools.

“Measuring RA disease activity is a major unmet need,” said John Davis, III, M.D., Chair of the Division of Rheumatology at Mayo Clinic. “Existing composite disease activity scores are unreliable because they incorporate subjective information from the patient and rheumatologist, and comorbidities like obesity can confound the results.”

Rheumasense addresses this gap with its AI-driven, real-time LC-MS biomarker technology, offering unprecedented accuracy in assessing disease activity. “Rheumasense is going to provide a new and objective monitoring tool to support and accelerate clinical decision-making with a huge positive impact on the patients, but also on the healthcare system,” added Kathrin Ballesteros, Lead Venture Partner at NLC. This innovation enables healthcare providers to optimize treatment plans, improve patient outcomes, and expand access to proactive care in underserved areas.

“This innovation can make a profound difference in how patients experience their care,” said Jen Skeen, CEO of Rheumasense. “By equipping clinicians with real-time, actionable data, we enable earlier interventions and more tailored treatments, reducing the physical and emotional toll that RA often takes on individuals and their families. ”

Currently in its product development phase, Rheumasense builds upon prior publications and patent submissions from the Mayo Clinic. The next steps include securing funding to advance toward clinical trials, bringing this transformative technology closer to market.

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About Rheumasense

Rheumasense is a transformative Biotech company that empowers rheumatoid arthritis care with real-time, machine learning powered biomarker testing, delivering precise insights on disease activity for timely treatment adjustments and telemedicine support. In collaboration with Mayo Clinic, Rheumasense aims to revolutionize rheumatoid arthritis care by minimizing clinical obstacles, enhancing  patient outcomes, and optimizing hospital workflows.

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About NLC Health Ventures

NLC Health Ventures, based in Amsterdam, is the most active health technology investor in Europe and the world’s largest healthtech venture builder. NLC finds, builds, and scales transformative health innovations with the goal of providing more patients with quality care. NLC is a so-called ‘BCorp,’ its funds comply with SFDR9 guidelines, and they contribute to ESG 3, 9, and 17. With more than 100 start-ups, 4 funds, and activity in 16 countries, they bring impactful innovations to patients on a large scale. The NLC Health Impact Fund is NLC’s newest and largest fund to date, investing in NLC’s start-ups. The fund deploys capital for ventures at various stages, providing both initial and follow-up funding.

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For more information: 

Jen Skeen, Ph.D

CEO, Rheumasense

Email: j.skeen@rheumasense.com

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