Press release
Axithra, a spin-off of imec and Ghent University, raises 10M Euro
New drug measurement and monitoring technology for accurate assessment of drug concentrations in blood, paves the way for personalized and faster care
About Axithra
Axithra is a spin-off from Ghent University and imec, developing a platform to quickly and accurately measure and monitor drug concentrations in blood, paving the way for treatments tailored to the specific needs of each individual, at any given time. The first application is focusing on personalizing beta-lactam antibiotics treatments in the intensive care unit. The Company’s platform is based on proprietary optical and photonics technology and will allow physicians to optimize patient care by enabling personalized treatments. For more information, visit www.axithra.com or mail to info@axithra.com.
About imec
Imec is a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Imec leverages its state-of-the-art infrastructure and its team of more than 5,500 employees and top researchers for R&D in advanced semiconductor and system scaling, silicon photonics, artificial intelligence, beyond 5G communications and sensing technologies, and in application domains such as health and life sciences, mobility, industry 4.0, agrofood, smart cities, sustainable energy, education, … Imec unites world-industry leaders across the semiconductor value chain, Flanders-based and international tech, pharma, medical and ICT companies, start-ups, and academia and knowledge centers. Imec is headquartered in Leuven (Belgium) and has research sites across Belgium, in the Netherlands, and representation in three continents. In 2022, imec's revenue totaled 846 million euros.
Further information on imec can be found at www.imec-int.com.
Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of imec International (IMEC International, a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a “stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.), imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.), imec India (IMEC India Private Limited), imec San Francisco (IMEC Inc.) and imec Florida (IMEC USA Nanoelectronics Design Center Inc.).
About Ghent University
Ghent University is one of the major universities in the Dutch-speaking region of Europe. It distinguishes itself as a socially committed and pluralistic university in a broad international perspective. 80 faculty departments, spread over 11 faculties, offer high-quality courses in every one of their scientific disciplines. Ghent University strategically invests in multidisciplinary clusters to expand its industrial R&D network. Key technology transfer activities include industrial collaboration programs, IP licensing and spin-off creation. Over the past five years, this joint effort has resulted in 566 patents, the establishment of 35 spin-off companies and an intensive collaboration with companies.
About Ghent University Hospital
Ghent University Hospital is one of the largest and most specialized hospitals in Flanders. 6.725 employees work tirelessly each and every day to provide over three thousand patients with the best care. Ghent University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Ghent University jointly invest in scientific research and education. This is how the hospital helps to develop the healthcare of the future. More information on www.uzgent.be.
About imec.xpand
About imec.xpand imec.xpand is an independently managed value-add venture capital fund that focuses on hardware-based nanotechnology innovations where imec technology, expertise, network and infrastructure will play a differentiating role. imec.xpand is currently managing over 350 mio EUR in capital.
About Kurma Partners
Kurma Partners is a key European Venture Capital firm specialized in healthcare, with more than €700 million under management, with two dedicated franchises: “Kurma Biofund” focused on venture investments in therapeutics (current active fund KBIII) and “Kurma Diagnostics” focused on venture investment in diagnostics and digital health (current active fund Kurma Dx2). Kurma Partners has launched its first “Growth Opportunity Fund” further to its first closing in early 2022. Kurma Partners is part of the Eurazeo Group.
About WE Life Science
Drawing on Wallonia's inherent strengths, WE Life Sciences invests in its "Local Heroes": researchers and entrepreneurs aiming to harness their innovation for the establishment of a more sustainable and equitable global economy, with firm roots in Wallonia.
WE Life Sciences fosters diversity and cross-fertilization in the broadest sense. It invests in companies operating within the health sector, spanning diverse stages of development and grounded in a wide range of technologies, addressing a multitude of indications or pathologies.
WE Life Sciences is a pioneering, forward-looking and patient investor that engages from the earliest stages with the most promising companies, guided by a long-term vision that surpasses the typical venture capitalist horizon.
For more information, please visit: www.wallonie-entreprendre.be
About Qbic
Qbic is an inter-university venture capital fund focusing on creating impact through the transformation of technological breakthroughs into sustainable business.
Qbic is a sector-agnostic seed and early-stage venture capital fund, supporting young innovative companies that valorize research from Qbic's knowledge partners. The fund typically participates in the first external investment round of a company and continues to support and invest in these companies throughout their growth.
More information: www.qbic.be
About Hamamatsu Photonics
Hamamatsu Photonics is a world-leading manufacturer of optoelectronic components and systems. Their corporate philosophy stresses the advancement of photonics through extensive research to yield state-of-the-art products. They provide solutions for various applications across the photonics industry, including analytical, consumer, industrial, and medical instrumentation. Through Hamamatsu Photonics Corporate Venture Capital Co., Ltd, they provide early-stage investments into startups that anticipate the needs of our future society and propose novel solutions using photonics. Learn more at hamamatsu.com and cvc.hamamatsu.com.
