The ENEA Tech and Biomedical Foundation, as the lead investor with an investment of 2 million euros and in collaboration with funds from CDP Venture Capital SGR, Italian Angels for Growth (IAG), and MM Partecipazioni, has completed a 4-million-euro investment round with Restorative Neurotechnologies S.r.l.
The ENEA Tech and Biomedical Foundation, acting as lead investor with a 2-million-euro ticket, along with CDP Venture Capital SGR, Italian Angels for Growth (IAG), and MM Partecipazioni, has finalized a 4-million-euro investment round with Restorative Neurotechnologies S.r.l., an innovative Italian startup founded in 2018 as a spin-off of the University of Palermo. The company develops medical devices, therapies, and digital clinical protocols for neurorehabilitation using non-invasive methods.
Restorative Neurotechnologies S.r.l. has created a cognitive rehabilitation protocol and a Class IIa CE-Marked medical device (named MindLenses Professional) that together form a Digital Therapy (DTx) platform. This platform combines non-invasive neuromodulation with serious games, or cognitive exercises designed to target cognitive functions without requiring neurosurgical interventions for patients with conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or ADHD. Specifically, the digital therapy platform enables cognitive neurorehabilitation for patients affected by neurological diseases. The solution includes a suite of digitized neuropsychological tests for assessing cognitive functions, a set of digital serious games, prism-lens glasses for non-invasive neuromodulation, and a cloud-based platform for managing digital medical records and therapeutic plans.
This innovative protocol stands out in the cognitive rehabilitation market due to its digital nature and the unique integration of non-invasive neuromodulation with serious games.
To date, a clinical trial has been completed and published on the use of MindLenses for cognitive rehabilitation in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients, conducted in collaboration with the G. Giglio Foundation. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the MindLenses system for cognitive rehabilitation in 30 patients, combining the use of prismatic-lens glasses with cognitive training exercises targeting attention and executive functions through serious games.
Recruitment has also been completed for two additional clinical trials. The first is a post-market study on neurorehabilitation with MindLenses in 60 stroke patients, in collaboration with IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia. The second examines cognitive and motor improvements after MindLenses therapy in 30 stroke patients and 30 patients with mild cognitive impairment, in collaboration with IRCCS San Camillo Hospital. Another clinical trial is currently recruiting participants, focusing on the use of MindLenses in 40 patients with mild cognitive impairment, specifically targeting memory and attention disorders, in collaboration with Niguarda Hospital.
“According to the World Health Organization, about 1 billion people suffer from neurological disorders globally, with an estimated cost of 336 billion euros,” notes Maria Cristina Porta from ENEA Tech and Biomedical Foundation. “The number of individuals with neurological conditions is projected to double by 2060, according to Eurostat. This is why we chose to invest in Restorative Neurotechnologies S.r.l., which exemplifies a highly qualified, motivated, and successful startup from a developing region in the Life Sciences sector. This innovative and patented product aims to meet these significant healthcare challenges.”
The funds raised through the investment round by Restorative Neurotechnologies S.r.l. will be used for go-to-market activities and commercial scaling. In addition, the startup will be able to initiate the industrialization of the MindLenses Goggles 2.0 product for telemedicine applications, offering an advanced version of the wearable device and securing Medical Device Regulation (MDR) certification. The 4-million-euro investment will also support the expansion of staff, R&D activities, and the continuation of clinical trials.
“One of the Foundation’s goals is to promote the enhancement of research on a national level by investing in innovative startups and SMEs,” states Giovanni Tria, President of the ENEA Tech and Biomedical Foundation. “Restorative, which originated from a university spin-off, fits this type of action. In the coming weeks, as part of a comprehensive investment plan, we will present numerous projects in which the Foundation has chosen to invest.”
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