LIFE SCIENCES: presentation all the Projects Approved for Funding Under the Booster for Life Science FVG Notice | Proposal for Further Insights

On December 10th, the event dedicated to the presentation of the projects selected through the first call of the notice “Booster for Life Science – TRL Advancement” took place in Trieste.
This initiative, promoted by the Life Sciences Cluster of Friuli Venezia Giulia on behalf of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, aims to fund industrial research and experimental development projects in the Life Sciences sector with an initial total budget of €10,040,000.

The first call (July 1 – September 30, 2024) contributed to stimulating investments in Friuli Venezia Giulia exceeding €5.5 million for the implementation of the approved projects, of which €3.6 million was financed through the notice.

The projects selected for funding will each receive between €200,000 and €500,000 to enhance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of innovative products and services under development. This support facilitates the validation of ideas and the realization of technologies, bringing cutting-edge solutions closer to market readiness.

While the press release issued during the ceremony provides a more comprehensive explanation of the broader context of this activity by the Life Sciences Cluster FVG, we wanted to take this opportunity to delve into the details of the companies and projects submitted to the Booster program. For this reason, we are attaching a document summarizing, for each company, their field of expertise and the innovative idea they presented.

Below are all the projects selected for funding:

AB ANALITICA S.R.L.

A company specializing in the development, production, and commercialization of innovative diagnostic solutions for molecular biology, with locations in Padua and Trieste. It integrates advanced research and cutting-edge technologies, such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), to offer state-of-the-art diagnostic devices.

The Project:

The proposed project aims to develop an innovative diagnostic kit based on enhanced Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), including the analysis of clinically relevant regulatory and non-coding regions. By optimizing laboratory protocols and integrating advanced bioinformatics technologies, the kit will ensure greater genomic coverage, cost reduction, and improved reporting times. The product will be clinically validated for diagnostic applications, in compliance with the European IVDR regulation.


ALIFAX

Founded in 1988, Alifax is one of Italy’s leading in vitro diagnostics companies, anticipating market demands with the introduction of highly innovative technologies in hematology, microbiology, serology, and autoimmunity. The company’s commitment to innovation was solidified in 2017 with the establishment of Alifax R&D Srl in Area Science Park, a molecular biology and proteomics laboratory fully equipped for research and development of advanced diagnostic systems.

The Project:

The proposed project aims to develop monoclonal antibodies specific to the biomarker procalcitonin, which is crucial for diagnosing sepsis, one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The project aims to improve the diagnosis of bacterial infections by developing a sensitive, robust test suitable for everyday clinical use, guiding clinicians towards the best therapeutic approach to sepsis through precise and accurate procalcitonin assessment.


CLONIT

Since 1987, Clonit has specialized in the development, production, and distribution of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices and reagents for molecular diagnostics. Clonit’s products enable the detection of a wide range of diseases in the fields of microbiology (viral, bacterial, and fungal infections), oncology, and genetics.

The Project:

The project aims to implement an in vitro diagnostic system in the oncology field. Specifically, the project seeks to develop a product based on molecular biology for determining T and B cell clonality and simultaneously diagnosing follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma through a single PCR reaction followed by automated fragment analysis.


CYNEXO

CyNexo, founded as an innovative startup in the neuroscience area of SISSA in Trieste, primarily develops customized scientific instruments for research laboratories, both academic and industrial. The company has particularly distinguished itself in creating integrated digital tools for measuring olfactory capacities (olfactometers), which are currently used in many universities in Europe, America, and China, as well as in some industrial research settings.

The Project:

The proposed project involves a new tool, SniffAble, designed to use the sense of smell to predict the onset of neurodegenerative diseases well in advance and/or mitigate their effects in cases where diseases are already present. This will allow for automated olfactory tests and training thanks to the complete digitization of the process.


DNASWITCH S.R.L.

DNASwitch S.R.L. is an innovative startup founded in April 2024 by a team of scientists from the University of Padua, with support from the Golinelli Foundation. The company focuses on developing innovative gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Huntington’s disease. DNAswitch’s main technology is a “molecular switch” based on the MTF1 gene, designed to reduce the toxicity of the mutant protein responsible for the disease.

The Project:

The project aims to develop an innovative gene therapy for Huntington’s disease, based on the therapeutic gene MTF1, which acts by reducing oxidative stress and toxic protein aggregates in neurons. The therapy uses AAV viral vectors to ensure stable, long-term expression of the therapeutic gene. The goal is to complete preclinical validation and prepare for clinical trials, addressing the current therapeutic gap for this incurable disease.


DR. SCHÄR S.P.A.

Dr. Schär specializes in developing, producing, and commercializing dietary foods for individuals with specific nutritional needs. While gluten-free products are its traditional focus, the company has recently expanded into the Medical Nutrition sector.

The Project:

The “Innovative Ketogenic Foods” (ACI) project aims to develop functional ketogenic foods (Foods for Special Medical Purposes, FSMPs) for medical nutrition (nutritional therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy) characterized by improved sensory and nutritional profiles and proven functionality. Providing optimized products in a wide variety improves adherence to ketogenic nutritional therapy and patients’ quality of life.


FEATURE JAM

Feature Jam is an SME based in Trieste developing smart wearable systems for smart-health applications. FJ is implementing the “BlueJam Health Solution” platform on its proprietary BlueJam wearable devices. These smart-health applications are designed to offer specific preventive and predictive solutions for various chronic or incidental conditions.

The Project:

The “Predicat” project aims to significantly advance the BlueJam system, finalizing the wearable device to predict the risk of falls in elderly and/or frail individuals. BlueJam monitoring greatly enhances the chances of preventing falls by introducing preventive actions, thereby avoiding severe consequences such as fractures and trauma. In the future, these smart-health applications could also help reduce emergency interventions in public healthcare facilities.


GLIOGUARD

GlioGuard is an innovative startup with a mission to combat glioblastomas, the most aggressive form of brain tumors. GlioGuard aims to reshape glioblastoma treatment protocols to make the condition curable. The company envisions the advent of personalized medicine by leveraging patients’ genomic profiles.

The Project:

The GlioTreat project aims to shift the focus of therapeutic target selection in glioblastoma treatment, prioritizing membrane or cytoplasmic proteins over conventional nuclear or cell cycle targets. This innovative approach exploits the central role of membrane channels and the cytoskeleton in regulating cell volume for therapeutic purposes. GlioTreat will extend in vitro results to in vivo experiments on immunodeficient mice using human glioma cells.

INSOFT S.R.L.

InSoft S.r.l. was founded in 2003 and specializes in the development of information systems for the socio-healthcare sector. The company provides its solutions in a Cloud SaaS mode through its proprietary DATASAN platform and supports public and private organizations involved in socio-healthcare assistance, home care, facilities for the elderly and disabled, counseling centers, and childcare facilities.

The Project:
The “Assisto” project aims to improve the efficiency and quality of care services by integrating an intelligent virtual assistant to support personnel working in the socio-healthcare sector. Specifically, the project proposes the development of a prototype based on artificial intelligence and NLP technologies to enhance user experience through intuitive and natural interaction.


JAVA BIOCOLLOID EUROPE

Java Biocolloid Europe specializes in the production, blending, and functionalization of biopolymers for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Thanks to its close collaboration with the Java Biocolloid extraction plant in Indonesia, the company boasts expertise and mastery of hydrocolloids from origin to final application.

The Project:
Java Biocolloid Europe has been using konjac in functional blends combined with other biopolymers for applications in the food industry for years. Recently, the cosmetics sector has been pushing to replace synthetic polymers with plant-derived ones such as konjac and agar-agar. The “Konjac in Cosmoceuticals” project has allowed Java Biocolloid Europe to systematically study the interaction of konjac with other ingredients (active and excipient), analyze the impact of variable changes (e.g., temperature, concentration), and develop potential prototypes.


LIGHTHOUSE BIOTECH S.R.L.

Lighthouse Biotech S.r.l. was founded in 2019 to meet the need for easy access to tumor cells at any stage of the disease for oncological and pharmaceutical research, promoting precision medicine. Using a simple blood sample, Lighthouse’s device makes single tumor cells available, characterized by being pure, intact, and viable.

The Project:
The proposed project aims to increase the technology readiness level (from TRL 4 to 6) of its microfluidic platform for extracting CTCs from liquid biopsies. Key interventions include improving microfluidic design, refining chip assembly procedures and channel surface treatment, and, where possible, using eco-compatible reagents. The goal is to achieve a more robust, efficient, and sustainable technology.


MEDARCHIVER S.R.L.

Founded in 2001, Medarchiver S.r.l. has been operating for over twenty years in the health informatics sector. The company offers advanced solutions such as Electronic Health Records, management systems for operating rooms, emergency departments, outpatient processes, and support for specialist reporting. These systems rely on a core component for clinical risk management: the drug therapy informatization module, especially for oncology drugs, covering every aspect of the process, including compounding antineoplastic and nutritional drugs in UFA or UMACA pharmacies.

The Project:
The HFC project aims to create an innovative IT platform to reduce error risks during the manual preparation of pharmacological therapies. The platform will leverage advanced technologies such as computer vision, machine learning algorithms, and smart glasses to support healthcare operators in drug compounding, minimizing the possibility of errors.


OPENEX S.R.L.

With solid experience in the ICT sector, OpenEx S.r.l. specializes in digitalizing business and public processes by integrating advanced technologies and cutting-edge methodologies to optimize efficiency and competitiveness.

The Project:
The proposed project focuses on integrating advanced Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications to improve diagnostic efficiency and clinical data management in orthopedics. These are collected on the proprietary OrthoAI platform, which also fosters significant social innovation by promoting collaboration among healthcare professionals through a secure digital space.


PRODIGYS TECHNOLOGY S.R.L.

Founded in 2008 to promote innovation culture, Prodigys Technology S.r.l. applies the most recent and innovative artificial intelligence and business intelligence technologies to offer unique and effective solutions tailored to any sector.

The Project:
The AIMASLD project involves developing an advanced mobile app for the prevention and management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), integrating artificial intelligence and wearable sensors. The app monitors vital parameters, physical activity, and diet, offering personalized plans and predicting disease progression. Gamification and social engagement techniques enhance patient adherence, while a “Digital Twin” model provides advanced simulations for tailored therapies. Supported by a multidisciplinary team, the project aims to improve public health and reduce healthcare costs associated with chronic liver diseases.

RECORNEA S.R.L.

Recornea is a pioneering company in advanced medical solutions for eye diseases, founded in Singapore in 2019 and relocated to Italy in 2020. Recornea has developed an innovative technological platform, initially applied in the field of keratoconus through the minimally invasive corneal implant called GROSSO, made from biocompatible, super-elastic, and shape-memory material known as nitinol. The technology developed by Recornea has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of other ocular pathologies such as glaucoma.

The Project:
The proposed “NiTi4EYE” project aims to develop an injector system for the GROSSO implant, advancing it from the research stage to preclinical testing. The injector system will allow for easy, fast, and standardized delivery of the device during surgery, making the procedure more effective and less invasive compared to current surgical techniques.


SCEN S.R.L.

SCEN specializes in the supply and assembly of rapid prototypes and high-tech microelectronics boards. With a strong innovative focus, SCEN adds value through specialized labor and has collaborated on over 12,000 national and international projects. SCEN covers all needs of advanced technology, from project support to miniaturization of electronics and cabling, mechanical design with additive or CNC manufacturing, product pre-certification, logistics distribution, and turnkey services, including after-sales support.

The Project:
LETIsmart VOCE is a microelectronics system developed and produced by SCEN in close collaboration with the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired to enhance the autonomy of visually and motor-impaired individuals. It guides users precisely to points of interest by activating commands and sound signals via beacons, particularly in complex urban environments, both indoors and outdoors. This project aims to integrate micro LiDAR sensors into the handle of the white cane, alongside the existing VOCE system, to warn users of ground-level and face-height obstacles through tactile and auditory signals, improving safety and accessibility.


TELEVITA S.P.A.

Televita S.p.A. has been designing and managing telematic socio-healthcare services for over 30 years, caring for people. Televita supports institutions and organizations by offering tailor-made solutions in three main areas:

  • Telecare: Teleassistance, telemedicine/telemonitoring of parameters, and home automation for the safety and autonomy of individuals, at home and beyond.
  • Socio-healthcare Contact Center: Multilingual and multichannel services that enhance healthcare communication with citizens.
  • Service Center: Services designed to support institutions in caring for the most vulnerable, for socio-healthcare prevention and social inclusion.

The Project:
The proposed project, AS.S.I.S.T. (Interactive Smart Telemonitored Socio-healthcare Assistance), aims to improve and develop targeted services for medical assistance, including emergency management, chronic case monitoring, and remote medical support. The AS.S.I.S.T. project plans to integrate artificial intelligence tools provided by the Alexa system, capable of responding to inputs such as requests for help or assistance from a voice assistant, based on a proactive Cloud-based system.


LABORATORI TURVAL ITALIA S.R.L.

Turval has developed the Probiotic Lactic Yeast® Kluyveromyces marxianus fragilis B0399, the result of over 15 years of research and 20 years of authorizations in various countries, including Europe, the USA, Brazil, India, and China. This probiotic is applicable in various sectors: food, livestock, pet food, supplements, and cosmetics. Turval adopts a B2C model, selling the strain under its own brand, and a B2B model, supplying the pure strain or in formulation to companies to increase their market competitiveness.

The Project:
The project explores the role of Kluyveromyces marxianus B0399 as a next-generation probiotic isolated from kefir, with natural antibiotic resistance and anti-inflammatory properties, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and acne vulgaris (AV), leveraging the known gut-skin axis connection.
Objectives:

  1. Develop two innovative treatment kits, each consisting of a topical (cosmetic) and an oral (nutraceutical) formulation, specific for AD and AV.
  2. Test the efficacy of these formulations through randomized clinical trials, involving pediatric patients for AD and adolescents for AV.
    The combined approach aims to integrate the systemic benefits of oral probiotic administration with topical applications, offering natural, safe, and effective solutions while reducing risks associated with conventional therapies such as antibiotics and corticosteroids.

UNIVERSITY OF UDINE – DI4A

The University of Udine, through its Department of Agri-Food, Environmental, and Animal Sciences (DI4A), is dedicated to agriculture, environment, and animal sciences. With an interdisciplinary approach, the department promotes sustainable development, agroecology, and food safety, enhancing local resources.

The Project:
DIAG-FOOD is a project that employs modern sequencing methods and bioinformatics analyses for food diagnostics. DIAG-FOOD aims to become a rapid, innovative, and cost-effective solution for identifying and quantifying various types of contaminating and potentially harmful microorganisms in food matrices through a metagenomic approach.


UNIVERSITY OF UDINE – DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE AND POLYTECHNIC DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

The University of Udine operates on four pillars: higher education, research and technology transfer, interaction with the region, and internationalization, fostering a continuous exchange of knowledge and ideas with the local economy and society. The Department of Medicine and the Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture collaborated on a project proposal aimed at innovating the healthcare supply chain.

The Project:
Over the past 25 years, maxillofacial surgical practices for resolving temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders have focused on implanting prosthetic systems for end-stage diseases. Current prosthetic devices are bulky and require significant installation space. This project aims to demonstrate the originality and clinical efficacy of using a mini-prosthesis for resolving TMJ disorders, enabling an innovative and minimally invasive maxillofacial surgical approach, in contrast to current surgical methods.


VITALIZEDX EU – PERSONALIZED CARE

Founded in September 2023 in Trieste, VitalizeDx EU offers precision health solutions through proprietary at-home salivary biomarker tests. The company focuses on three key areas:

  1. Female/Male Wellness
  2. Performance
  3. Dental Health

Using AI technologies that intersect fluid and digital biomarkers, VitalizeDx provides personalized, actionable health insights, supporting long-term preventive care.

The Project:
MYORACARDIO is a salivary point-of-care system enabling real-time and precise monitoring of cardiovascular homeostasis, oral health, and cardiometabolic turnover in athletes by analyzing three salivary metabolites:
i) pH, ii) Nitrate, iii) Uric Acid.
By integrating fluidic and digital biomarkers, MYORACARDIO will construct real-time digital twins of athletes, enabling timely interventions to adjust training and nutrition, maximizing both health and performance.