Droplite Technologies, a biotechnology spin-off founded in 2018 by researchers at The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), a BIST centre, is among the start-ups selected in the EIT Health Headstart 2020 Programme.
In this year’s EIT Health Headstart Programme, 89 start-ups have been selected to receive mentoring and financial support to help accelerate the development of their promising and innovative health solutions. Among these projects are 16 from Spain, including Droplite Technologies, S.L., a biotechnology spin-off founded in 2018 at ICFO, which develops lab-on-a-chip devices and medical rapid diagnostics.
Droplite Technologies emerged from an idea and collaboration between the Plasmon Nano-optics research group led by ICREA Prof. at ICFO Romain Quidant and SME COSINGO. Droplite’s biosensing device was fully developed in house and is a combination of advanced microfluidics, customised chemistry, a proprietary optical detection system, electronics, and signal processing. The lab-on-a-chip technology allows for a rapid and accurate way to test and monitor health conditions in both humans and animals mainly focused on blood samples.
The selected start-ups will have access to mentoring and business support, as well as a financial grant of up to €50,000, in addition to making valuable contacts within the health innovation ecosystem in the EIT Health’s large network. The programme aims to accelerate the development and time-to-market of innovative products and services to improve the lives of European patients and citizens. Mentored by EIT Health’s regional teams of Business Creation Managers, the programme offers support to the companies as they navigate the steps required to bring their solution to market including, crucially, verification of the clinical, patient or system need for the product or service. They are also supported with skills development and contacts so that they can go on to attract further financial support from private investors.
Addressing a number of significant health challenges facing Europeans today, the start-ups will develop products and services in areas such as cancer, geriatrics, ophthalmology, wound care, women’s health, genetic and neurological conditions, cardiology, and digital tools to assist healthcare services in the management of patients as well as research and development. New this year, EIT Health expanded the scope of Headstart to assist in the immediate need for solutions to combat COVID-19, and has selected 21 start-ups that will develop products and services that will help Europe to contain, treat, and manage the disease.
Sources:EIT Health selects start-ups for Headstart 2020 and ICFO spin-offs: Droplite
More information about Droplite Technologies
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More information about the EIT Health Headstart Programme