Sense4Med, a Rome, Italy-based startup that develops point-of-care devices for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, raised €510k in funding.
Backers included Innova Venture and Scientifica Venture Capital.
The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.
A spin-off of the University of Tor Vergata, Sense4Med is advancing printed paper-based electrochemical biosensors and point-of-care devices capable of innovating the current methods of diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, a serious genetic disease, a multi-organ pathology that mainly affects the respiratory and digestive systems.
Led by CEO Fabiana Arduini*, full professor of Analytical Chemistry at the Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” the startup aims to simplify this diagnostic process through a lab-on-a-chip, which promises to detect the disease non-invasively and quickly – in a few minutes – using only a sweat test. Furthermore, the technology is scalable, as it is possible to use the device on the entire population regardless of age group and physical condition.
Commenting on the closing of the round, Arduini said: “We are thrilled to be able to say that, thanks to the synergy between Scientifica Venture Capital and Lazio Innova, we will be able to accelerate the development and commercialization of our innovative device for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Our technology offers an advanced and sustainable solution that can radically transform the way disease is diagnosed and managed.“
*Fabiana Arduini is Associated Professor at Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, CEO of start-up SENSE4MED, DG at ISO9001 Certified Laboratory LabCap, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Editor of Green Analytical Chemistry Journal, Elsevier, Associated Editor of Microchemical Journal, Elsevier, Specialty Chief Editor Micro- and Nano- Sensors, Frontiers in Sensors, and Past Coordinator of Italian Sensor Group, Italian Chemical Society 2019-2021. Her research activity deals with the development of miniaturised electrochemical devices mainly using screen-printed electrodes modified with nanomaterials and paper-based analytical tools applied in environmental, biomedical, cultural heritage, and defense sectors, with over 140 articles published in peer-review journals, H index 51, 7306 citations Scopus source January 2023, > 10 patents, coordinators of several national/international projects. Her name is listed in the top 2% most cited researchers in the world, Stanford University, PLoS Biology https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000384, https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/.”
The team also includes Noemi Colozza, Luca Fiore, Ludovica Gullo, Laura Fabiani, and Veronica Caratelli.
FinSMEs
29/03/2024