Ventures

NC Biomatrix offers a solution for treating chronic back pain caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. Current treatments only address symptoms, have limited effectiveness and often come with complications. NC Biomatrix introduces a new approach using a bio-inductive protein extract obtained from porcine notochordal biomatrix. This injectable treatment addresses the underlying pathology and aims to restore the degenerated disc as a way to definitively treat chronic back pain.

Intercept TX is developing a first-in-class, orally available small-molecule therapy targeting the RAGE/DIAPH1 pathway, a central but underexploited disease axis in chronic metabolic and inflammatory conditions including type 2 diabetes, obesity and MASH. While existing treatments manage symptoms, they fail to address underlying disease progression. Intercept TX's approach targets the root of metabolic stress, inflammation and fibrosis, in a single platform with applicability across multiple high-value, multi-billion-euro markets.

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.

Karla Therapeutics is exploring an approach, treating mental disorders by leveraging our immune system. Neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and OCD are increasingly prevalent, yet treatment options often have side effects and limited effectiveness. By bridging between the immune system and mental health, Karla aims to revolutionize treatment methods. Their research focuses on a specific protein identified by top-tier immunologists, showing promising results in early experiments for OCD, anxiety, and ADHD.

PEP Health addresses the complexity of monitoring healthcare quality by offering a platform that tackles key challenges in quality assessment. By combining multiple sources of patient feedback, including social media, PEP provides near real-time assessments of quality for hospitals and departments. This approach reduces costs, improves timeliness, and enhances trustworthiness compared to traditional methods. With potential customers ranging from healthcare providers to patient organizations, PEP's underlying algorithm has been validated across industries, including higher education.

Persuasive addresses the challenge of identifying Stable Angina patients early on, crucial for preventing heart attacks. Currently, without a diagnostic test in general practitioner settings, many referrals to hospitals prove unnecessary. The solution is a simple blood test, leveraging an extracellular vesicle protein signature to distinguish SA patients from those with non-cardiac chest pain. This innovative approach promises to streamline patient management, saving lives and healthcare resources.

SERDA presents a solution for wound debridement, particularly useful for burn wounds and chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. Traditional debridement methods can be expensive, painful, or less effective. SERDA offers an enzymatic debrider in the form of a hydrogel that selectively breaks down necrotic tissue, leaving healthy tissue intact, promoting faster healing with minimal discomfort for the patient. SERDA aims to improve the efficiency and ease of wound care, providing a more effective alternative to existing options.

Altach is tackling the challenge of treating damaged cartilage effectively without costly or complex procedures. Altach's solution is a simple, ready-to-use implant that makes microfracture treatment better. It's made from cartilage-like material and helps the body build new, healthy cartilage. This means fewer surgeries and better outcomes for patients.