17th Healthcare Investment Forum gives innovative healthcare projects a voice
<p>The session, held at the Barcelona Medical Association on 5 October, presented start-ups specializing in biotechnology, medical devices and healthcare services</p>
Nine companies from the healthcare and life sciences sector presented their innovative projects to investors at the 17th Healthcare Investment Forum held on 5 October at the Barcelona Medical Association. These nine companies were chosen from more than 40 candidates. Before the presentations, the four groups involved in organizing the event kicked off the session.
The panel featured Lluís Pareras, head of innovation at the Barcelona Medical Association; Fernando Zallo, director of Esade BAN; Jaume Baró, Corporate Operations director at Barcelona Activa; and Jordi Fàbrega, Biocat director of Business Development. They highlighted that since the first edition of the Healthcare Investment Forum in 2010 the companies presented through this program have raised more than €75 millions. Over the six years, 31 operations have been completed, depending on the different paths of each company.
Biotechnology-based companies
Moirai Biodesign, a start-up created at the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB) that recently participated in an acceleration program in Ireland, presented a test to diagnose acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from a blood sample using colorimetric analysis. This is a non-invasive technique that cuts time to diagnosis and avoids biopsies. The company is looking for €250,000.
Pharmacelera also hopes to raise €250,000 to continue developing hardware and software solutions for computer-based drug design. The Pharmacelera technology proposes more precise molecular models than what is currently available and hardware platforms that can run software 20 times faster than traditional platforms, making it easier to find the best candidate molecules in less time.
Cornea Project has developed a biomarker that allows for early detection of a corneal condition called keratoconus in patients that will undergo surgery for myopia or hyperopia. Patients who undergo these surgeries without being diagnosed with the disease can develop severe vision loss and even need a corneal transplant. The company needs €800,000.
Adan Medical Innovation is working on a product to improve management of anaphylactic shock, which results from an extreme allergic reaction and is controlled with epinephrine. The company, which has already conducted a clinical trial with 100 patients, presented a medical device that monitors the drug and a complementary app that helps patients manage the medication and possible cases of shock. Now the firm needs €500,000.
Medical devices
CoreBone is a company that makes bone grafts from the exoskeleton of coral for dental, orthopedic and spinal use. According to the founders of this start-up, who participated in the Forum looking to raise nearly €360,000, these grafts are strong, porous, biodegradable and prevent rejection and the risk of graft-related complications.
Apeiron Medical is looking to develop innovative medical technology based on electric radiofrequency currents to simplify and improve surgical treatment of tumors, specifically for resection and ablation of tumors in the liver, kidneys and pancreas. The firm is looking to raise €1.5 millions.
Tecnologia Regenerativa Qrem, which is looking for €740,000, is developing a medical device to alleviate osteoarthritis and reduce pain by 75% for more than a year. This device generates an autologous cytokine-rich serum (meaning it is derived from the patient) to act as a “natural” cure for the patient. According to company heads, the therapy has shown positive results in patients over 60 years old suffering from osteoarthritis in the knees.
Tractivus designs personalized medical devices using image diagnostics and 3-D printing technology. The first device they have designed is a tracheal stint with antibacterial properties to prevent infections and halitosis. The firm, which is looking for €240,000, aims to design implantable devices to prevent post-op complications.
Healthcare services
InsightMedi, which wants to raise €450,000, presented a platform where healthcare professionals and students around the world can share medical images and videos of their clinical cases. The network is designed to give the scientific community an alternative to social media. It allows them to share and comment on cases in a secure space protecting patient privacy, as all images are analyzed beforehand to ensure they meet the rules and regulations. The platform has more than 20,000 users from 80 countries.