In a bid to reimagine the future of ageing, EIT Health, part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, proudly reveals the latest Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awardees. These awards are part of the Healthy Longevity Global Competition, which champions ground-breaking innovations focused on enhancing health and vitality in later life.

In response to the global challenge of an ageing population, a demographic shift set to escalate with a projected 2.1 billion people over the age of 60 by 2050[1], EIT Health is leveraging its Bridgehead programme and InnoStars Awards to lead the Catalyst Awards. This initiative forms the first phase of the Global Competition aimed at holistically addressing the multi-dimensional issues related to ageing.

Innovating in this space presents significant obstacles for start-ups and ventures, from navigating complex healthcare regulations to the struggle for sufficient funding and market access. The Catalyst Awards are, therefore, not just an opportunity but a necessity, providing ventures with the vital support needed to focus on the physical, mental, and social well-being of the elderly. By offering this robust platform, EIT Health is empowering innovators to overcome common hurdles, such as complex healthcare regulations, access to sufficient funding, and barriers to market entry, thereby accelerating the development of meaningful solutions in elder care.

“As we address the pressing challenges associated with an ageing population, EIT Health proudly announces the support of 12 innovative start-ups, each receiving up to €50,000 along with mentorship. This mentorship is particularly crucial for ventures navigating the regulatory, funding, and market-entry challenges commonly faced in the elder care sector. Through collaboration with our global partners[2], we are one step closer to transforming elderly care, aligning directly with EIT Health’s mission to improve quality of life,” said Jean-Marc Bourez, CEO of EIT Health.

This global contest, initiated by the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, has rallied talents from diverse sectors, including science, medicine, technology, finance, and the social sciences, to present transformative ideas. The challenge unfolds in three stages: the initial Catalyst Awards, the intermediate Accelerator Award, and the culminating Grand Prize.

BRIDGEHEAD PROGRAMME CATALYST AWARDEES 2023:

Antegenes (Estonia) has developed groundbreaking genetic tests to detect individual risks for the most common and deadly cancers worldwide, including breast, prostate, colorectal, and skin melanoma.

HMG Systems Engineering GmbH (Germany) has developed PGXperts System, a Decision Support System designed to enable personalised medication, improving drug therapy safety, and delivering better patient welfare.

Micro-Cosmos (The Netherlands) helps hospitalised patients recover faster by reducing external stimuli which improves sleep and rest. The Micro-Cosmos dome reduces sound and light providing patients with their own secure and private environment.

OaCP IE LTD (Ireland) makes crucial DNA tests for cancer and infections faster and more accessible.

Osteobionix (Spain) has developed oBreathe, a patent-protected, clinically validated, patient-specific chest wall reconstruction implant, developed with ITC and skilled thoracic surgeons, which allows for physiologic breathing and restores shape and function.

Stroke2Prevent B.V. (The Netherlands) has developed A-View, a device that enables clinicians to have real-time information resolving the blind spot during ultrasound imaging of the Aortic Arch and vessels and enabling them to tailor the surgical strategy to best benefit of the patient.

INNOSTARS AWARDS CATALYST AWARDEES 2023:

NIB biotec srl (Italy) has developed ScreeNIB, a prostate cancer smart screening based on a smart biosensor that utilises urinary molecules as biomarkers for prostate cancer, offering a rapid and decentralised diagnostic solution outside hospitals. 

Orgavalue (Portugal) by I-R3 Therapies aims to bioengineer personalized human livers to address the global organ transplant shortage.

IPLEXMED, LDA (Portugal) solution enables fast and reliable detection of multiple infectious agents and their drug resistance profile at point-of-care and at home, empowering personalised treatment, and real-time disease monitoring.

Breathing Solutions, Lda (Portugal) has developed eBreathie a smart inhaler that turns traditional inhalers into “smart” devices, enabling patients and doctors to monitor medication usage, symptoms and provide personalised care remotely.

Nanodecal (Spain) is developing a rapid diagnostic test for detecting superbugs responsible for pneumonia in less than 10 minutes, aiding clinicians in prescribing targeted antibiotics and preventing permanent infections.

Reon sp. z o.o (Poland) has developed PreryView, a user-friendly web SaaS application that enables visual field testing at home, serving as a screening tool for detecting early symptoms of diseases such as glaucoma and neuropathies.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS 

For more information, please contact max.sattonnay@eithealth.eu

ABOUT EIT HEALTH 

EIT Health is a network of best-in-class health innovators with approximately 130 partners and is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. We collaborate across borders to deliver new solutions that can enable European citizens to live longer, healthier lives. 

As Europeans tackle the challenge of increasing chronic diseases and multi-morbidity and seek to realise the opportunities that technology offers to move beyond conventional approaches to treatment, prevention and healthy lifestyles, we need thought leaders, innovators and efficient ways to bring innovative healthcare solutions to market. 

[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health#:~:text=By%202050%2C%20the%20world’s%20population,2050%20to%20reach%20426%20million.

[2] Academia Sinica of Taiwan; National Agency for Research and Development of Chile; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; EIT Health; Agency for Medical Research and Development of Japan; Ministry of Health / National Research Foundation of Singapore; Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; UK Research & Innovation; US National Academy of Medicine; National Institute on Aging