Global accelerators propel Swiss life sciences

MPC Therapeutics, a biotech developing small molecules that modulate mitochondrial metabolism, has become the first Swiss startup to become a resident company of Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS, the world’s largest global network of open innovation ecosystems. The startup benefits from the program’s resources, including knowledge, experience, partnerships, and venture connections. It opens doors to a world of possibilities for growth, collaboration, and innovation. MPC was established in 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland, as a spin-off of the lab of Prof. Jean-Claude Martinou at the University of Geneva.

SmartCardia joins the HeartX accelerator in Austin Texas
The HeartX Accelerator, powered by HealthTech Arkansas and MedAxiom along with eleven leading cardiology practices in Arkansas and around the country, is a cardiovascular-focused healthcare accelerator that facilitates guaranteed hospital pilot projects and clinical trials for accomplished, early-stage companies bringing new cardiovascular innovations to market. Each company will receive $150,000 of investment capital as well as complete and total access to clinicians and administrators while executing their pilot projects and clinical studies in the HeartX program. The accelerator has welcomed SmartCardia, developer of the 7L Patch, a revolutionary platform and 7-Lead ECG patch for cardiology and remote patient monitoring (RPM). The 7/14 day patch offers real-time 7-Lead ECG and vitals with SaaS. A single patch serves multiple service types.

ONWARD wins Health-i Award in Germany
Health-i Award, organised by Germany’s largest insurance provider, Techniker Krankenkasse and Handelsblatt, promotes startups developing novel solutions to improve healthcare and gives them access to a network of experts from the business, science and health sectors. This year’s three top companies selected for the include ONWARD, developer of the ARC Therapy, which, combined with the external ARC-EXTM or implantable ARC- IMTM systems, allows for delivering targeted, programmed spinal cord stimulation.

Participating in award competitions also offers startups access to the organisers' network for future potential collaborations. This was the case for PIPRA and its participation in the CSS Innovation in Health Award competition. The startup won CHF 5000 boosting its mission to prevent postoperative delirium (POD). The startup developed an AI-powered risk assessment software tool that can save lives through prognosis and prevention of PD. With the implementation of PIPRA, doctors, nurses, and healthcare services have a tool to personalise their patients’ perioperative plans and introduce targeted, essential clinical interventions, effectively reducing the risk of developing POD. With PIPRA, healthcare professionals can enhance patient care and optimise surgical outcomes, ensuring a safer and more efficient surgical experience.

OncoGenomX, a University of Basel startup, has won the 2023 Global Excellence Award by Global Health & Pharma, a prominent global online media specialising in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. In the fight against breast cancer, OncogenomX developed PredictionStart, an AI-based technological platform to assist healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about cancer treatment. Today, approximately 750,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Europe and the United States, and nearly half face the risk of unnecessary treatment. Furthermore, among patients dealing with advanced breast cancer, approximately 50% of them are not receiving the treatment they require.

(RAN)