Since
2021
The Netherlands
Diagnostics
TRL 4

Challenge

A human body excretes many molecules via breathing which are correlated to health and disease. Currently, it is impossible to measure these specific molecules in a patient’s breath in a Point of Care setting.

Opportunity

The golden standard for measuring volatile molecules in the air is gas chromatography (GC). Until recently, this was only feasible in very large (‘room size’) equipment. Philips has miniaturized this process, currently at ‘shoe box’ (mini) scale, with an ambition to get down to ‘matchbox’ (micro) level, with matching cost price ambitions. We have obtained exclusive rights to apply this to the medical domain. A first application for this microGC platform has been validated and patented: ARDS. ARDS is a lung condition that is prevalent in the Intensive Care setting, lethal in 50% of cases, and has currently no early detection method. Early diagnosis can significantly increase the chance of survival of patients.

Solution

The first step to bring microGC to the market would be to develop and commercialize the ARDS proposition. In parallel, building out the microGC platform into a leading PoC measurement platform by identifying collaboration opportunities with IP holders for other bio-markers and bringing these to market in relevant clinical settings, with the most effective business model.

Status

The Philips device and biomarkers are currently being tested and validated in a prospective 500 patient clinical trial in the Amsterdam Medical Center and Maastricht UMC, providing proof of concept. Further pdevelopment on the microGC platform is also ongoing.

Meet the team

silhoutte

CEO

to be disclosed shortly

Pieter Wijffels (1)

Pieter Wijffels

Venture Partner at NLC

Pieter joined NLC in April 2020 as a Venture Partner. Before joining NLC, he spent 15 years at Philips, bringing innovation to life across the globe. He enjoys working in fast-paced environments and supporting initiatives that truly improve people’s lives.