INTA, exploiting a unique synergy between nanotechnologies and artificial intelligence, has developed a novel lab-on-a-chip called BRAIKER. This portable device will detect biomarkers of traumatic brain injuries with rapid blood analysis. Given the high versatility of this technology, several other applications will be developed as the on-chip rapid detection of viruses and bacteria.
The spin-off was founded on April 2020 at NEST Laboratory of Scuola Normale Superiore and Cnr Nano by a team composed by Matteo Agostini, PhD in Molecular biophysics researcher at Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, Marco Cecchini, PhD in Condensed Matter Physics researcher at Cnr Nano, and Marco Calderisi, PhD in Metabolomics. The vision of the company is to bring to the market a breakthrough in the field of high-end portable diagnostics. Now it has closed its first seed investment with 350k€ from Eureka! and A11 Venture.
“The partnership with Eureka and A11 will accelerate the INTA’s path to reach the commercialization of our technology. This investment will be crucial for the technology transfer from University to Industry, and for creating new horizons for the commercial and professional growth” says Matteo Agostini, co-founder, and CEO of INTA.
Anna Amati, Partner of EUREKA! Venture SGR: “We are pleased to have met Matteo and the INTA’s team. These days we could appreciate the commitment, competence, and passion of the team to bring their research results on the market. We strongly believe that this technology will have a deep and durable impact worldwide”. Giovanni Polidori of the Investment Committee of A11 Venture: “A crystal-clear need, relevant feedbacks from opinion-leaders of the clinical environments and also from the market. Besides, a wide gamut of potential applications of the technology with tailored artificial intelligence solutions for clinics, commitment, and competence of the team, excellence of the academic environment, these are just a few of the reasons behind our investment”.
Fabio Beltram, Director of the NEST Laboratory: “A textbook example, rarely seen in Italy: from a research for quantum-cryptography founded by the EU, novel biomedical technology has been developed. Thanks to the multidisciplinary environment which permeates the NEST Laboratory, excellent researchers from “Scuola Normale Superiore” and CNR-NANO could give birth to this technology working side-by-side. This novel architecture for biomedical diagnostics has massive potential. We strongly believe that this will be just the beginning of a success story!”
Cristina Battaglia head of the Technology Transfer Office of CNR: “The commitment of CNR is clear to bring value and new professional horizons for CNR technologies and researchers. This has been made possible thanks to key collaborations with important institutions as the “Scuola Normale Superiore”. The investment of Eureka! Venture and A11 Venture is the first fundamental result that stems from the determination and quality of the INTA’s team. It will create value and new perspectives for this amazing technology”.
EUREKA! Venture SGR and A11 Venture also thanks “hi.lex” legal attorneys Francesco Torelli and the junior associate Diana Passoni.
