A recent addition to the portfolio is ShanX Medtech from Eindhoven. The company is developing a rapid point-of-care test that enables physicians to immediately determine which antibiotic is effective in cases of urinary tract infections. In doing so, ShanX contributes to better patient care and responsible antibiotic use.
The latter is crucial to prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to existing treatments. Unnecessary or incorrect use of antibiotics accelerates the development of resistance, making infections more difficult to treat and increasing risks for patients. Rapid and targeted diagnostics help physicians prescribe the right drug at the right time, thereby preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics.
ShanX Medtech closed a €15 million seed round led by Borski Fund, with participation from the Brabant Development Agency (BOM), Invest-NL, Nextgen Ventures, CbusineZ, and an angel fund. In addition, ShanX received a €8.85 million contract from the European Commission, bringing the total funding to €24 million.
Clinical milestones in the development of new therapies
Important steps were also taken on the clinical front. Citryll dosed the first patient in a Phase 2a clinical trial for Hidradenitis Suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
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In this study, the company is investigating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of CIT-013, a monoclonal antibody. CIT-013 is a first-in-class antibody with which Citryll may introduce an entirely new treatment approach. Reaching this stage marks the next step in the development of new therapeutic options.
Collaboration accelerates regenerative applications
Collaboration between companies and knowledge institutions is a key characteristic of the Brabant ecosystem. Together with Maastricht UMC+, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and Maastricht University, VivArt-X is focusing on accelerating the development of biomaterials for breast tissue regeneration. €3 million has been made available for this three-year project, funded by the partners, the European OPZuid subsidy program, and the provinces of North Brabant and Limburg.
The collaboration focuses on improving recovery and reconstruction options for women following breast surgery as a result of breast cancer. Using the patient’s own cells and biomaterials, the partners are working on restoring healthy breast tissue, with the aim of reducing the number of surgeries, shortening recovery time, and improving quality of life.
Programs strengthen entrepreneurship and talent
Results are also visible in venture building and talent development. In the Regenerative Therapies Programme, two of the five participants reached the final stage. One of these teams, BoneFabrix from Norway, has since established a company in Eindhoven and received its first investment from the Tech Ideation Fund Brabant. New participants will start in February, further reinforcing the program’s role as a launchpad for European innovations.
Intensive, hands-on support
At the beginning of January, the application round closed for the BioVenture Builder, a new venture building program by BOM for early-stage companies in drug research and development. The program is aimed at companies in the preclinical phase, where risks are high and validation, regulatory strategy, and financing are critical to success.
In collaboration with 3D-PharmXchange and Odgers, BOM provides these startups with intensive, hands-on support in developing their strategy, team, and technology. In this way, the BioVenture Builder accelerates the path toward investment readiness and further funding, with the goal of bringing innovative medicines to patients more quickly.
Together, these developments demonstrate how Brabant-based companies in MedTech, Life Sciences and HealthTech, supported by BOM, are building solutions that contribute to a healthy future.