Communication
X-Heal Diagnostics winner of the Venture Challenge Spring 2017
Fast and accurate diagnosis of lung infections
On June 9 at the Dutch Biotech Event, Chrétien Herben, director LifeSciences@Work Accelerator, announced X-Heal Diagnostics as winning team of the 17th edition of the Venture Challenge. X-Heal Diagnostics has developed the X-halyzer technology, a patented diagnostic technology that allows specific detection of bacteria from exhaled air within one hour, directly enabling targeted treatment for patients with chronic lung diseases.
According to the Venture Challenge Jury the technological innovation of X-Heal Diagnostics addresses the worldwide issues of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) by its quick and specific detection. The X-halyzer technology has been developed by researchers from Radboud University Medical Center and Innosieve Diagnostics BV.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients are vulnerable for recurrent infection of the respiratory system, which leads to exacerbations or lung attacks. This decreases the quality of life of COPD patients significantly and could ultimately lead to death. Therefore, prevention or shortening the lung attacks is pivotal and early diagnosis of infection is required. Current diagnostic methods take 2 to 3 days, while the patient requires treatment within hours upon arrival in the hospital. Most patients are treated empirically with broad-spectrum antibiotics, which negatively affects the AMR burden. By use of the X-halyzer technology, a bacterial infection is detected within one hour, enabling targeted and quick treatment.
“Our ambition is to market our X-halyzer technology for different indications and target groups, such as the diagnosis of lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients and diagnosis of tuberculosis,” states Marien de Jonge, Head of the Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Radboudumc.
The Venture Challenge Spring 2017 started in April this year and came to an end today during the Dutch Biotech Event of HollandBIO. Other participating teams were Momo Medical, CC Diagnostics and Osteomore. Participating in the Venture Challenge leads to clear venture plans, as well as to very well-prepared and presented pitches.
The Venture Challenge is a bi-annually coaching programme of the valorisation activities of the Top Sector Life Sciences & Health. Interested in participating in the next Venture Challenge (18th edition) during the fall of 2017? Then visit the website of LS@W for more information.
