Ventures

With over 50 million people living with Alzheimer's and numbers expected to triple by 2050, there's an urgent need for effective treatments. Alzheimer's is a leading cause of death and imposes a global economic burden of $1 trillion annually. Our novel DYRK1A inhibitor aims to slow or even reverse Alzheimer's progression by targeting key pathways with high specificity and effective blood-brain barrier penetration. This innovative small molecule offers superior disease-modifying potential, addressing current treatment limitations and providing new hope for patients and healthcare systems worldwide.

The challenge with lung cancer lies in its late detection, often leading to unfortunate outcomes. Current screening methods like low-dose CT scans are costly and have radiation risks, while blood tests lack accuracy or are too expensive. Our solution offers a non-invasive blood test that detects lung cancer early with high sensitivity and specificity. This test, with its multi-protein panel, can identify even stage I cancer, improving survival rates and reducing unnecessary procedures.

Epilepsy causes uncontrolled seizures, greatly reducing quality of life and sometimes leading to early death. Over 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, but only two-thirds respond to medication. For those with drug-resistant epilepsy, treatment options are limited and often ineffective. MIR Therapeutics is developing a new gene therapy to provide lasting and powerful seizure control for drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Their therapy delivers microRNA-335 to the affected brain regions using an AAV9 viral vector, which helps control hyperexcitability by regulating voltage-gated sodium channels. This results in fewer and less severe seizures.

StarTric, created by cardiovascular experts, developed a new, less invasive device to fix a serious heart valve problem, Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR). Addressing Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR), a severe condition with high mortality rates, StarTric's device offers a safer alternative to open-heart surgery. The technology can be implanted via a transfemoral catheter, combining the safety of minimally invasive methods with the proven efficacy of the Clover technique, aiming to provide effective treatment to millions of TR patients worldwide who currently lack suitable options.

MindAffect is redefining what’s possible in diagnostics. By harnessing Brain-Computer Interface technology and AI, we can “read” how the brain reacts to sound and visual stimuli—objectively, in real time, and without requiring a single response from the patient. At the core is our patented and clinically validated Rapid CAEP® technology, which captures the brain’s automatic reactions. This breakthrough allows clinicians to diagnose patients who would otherwise be difficult or impossible to test—such as infants, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. In a world where over two billion people are underserved by current diagnostic methods, this changes everything. Our first product, Sofi, is the world’s fastest objective hearing diagnostic system, delivering accurate hearing thresholds in minutes. Sofi has been validated in leading hospitals, championed by key opinion leaders across the audiology community, and recognized globally—winning the Innovation Award at the World Congress of Audiology

Kaminari Medical is innovating coronary artery disease treatment with a catheter, combining intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and photoacoustic imaging (PA). This IVPA technology provides precise information on plaque location and structure, enabling doctors to identify and treat dangerous plaques preemptively. By enhancing the accuracy of stent placements and guiding medication therapy, IVPA is expected to prevent 50% of re-catheterizations, reducing repeated procedures and saving over €1 billion annually.

Scinvivo introduces a solution for bladder cancer diagnosis with its imaging catheter, providing real-time, cross-sectional tissue images. Traditional methods often lead to unnecessary surgeries and missed tumors. By utilizing Optical Coherence Tomography technology, Scinvivo's catheter offers high-resolution imaging, enabling urologists to accurately diagnose bladder conditions. This approach reduces unnecessary surgeries but also enhances diagnostic accuracy, improving patient outcomes.

Audaxis Medical revolutionizes the treatment of stress urinary incontinence with Plielle™, a next-generation polyurethane support system. While traditional polypropylene slings often lead to chronic inflammation and tissue complications, Plielle™ offers a safer alternative by replicating the native structure and viscoelastic properties of the pelvic floor. By providing a high-performance, biocompatible solution that integrates seamlessly with human tissue, Audaxis aims to improve clinical outcomes and restore patient confidence, filling a critical gap in women’s healthcare.