December 05, 2013
ICFO announces the official launch of HemoPhotonics S.L., its fifth spin-off venture. This new high tech company introduces a diagnostic tool which will allow doctors to better care for many cerebrovascular diseases by non-invasively monitoring blood flow in the brain. The technology finds important applications in diseases like stroke which ranks among the leading causes of death and disability world-wide. Improving doctors' diagnostic tools can contribute to better stroke prevention and significantly enhance future quality of life for patients and their relatives. In addition to clinical applications, this technology promises to be a valuable tool for researchers seeking to gain a better understanding of the working of the brain, all while contributing to the network of new high-tech industries needed to create employment and generate wealth in society.
HemoPhotonics has incubated at ICFO for the past two years in the Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) unit’s Launchpad. The company is devoted to transforming light-based technologies into compact and customized systems for non-invasive measurement of cerebral hemodynamics for clinical and scientific research. It is a result of ICFO’s expertise in medical optics and optical monitors. With the generous support of Fundacio Cellex, the Medical Optics group at ICFO led by Prof. Turgut Durduran has demonstrated the key role which biophotonics could play in real-time monitoring and has developed and tested a prototype for monitoring blood flow and oxygen levels in adult patients using photonic technologies. The Gereralitat de Catalunya, through the Prova’t program of the Research Centres of Catalonia (CERCA), has also provided important support to bring this state-of-the-art technical innovation to market.
Former ICFO post-doc Udo Weigel is behind this project as its CEO and co-founder. Udo obtained his PhD at Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Germany and has extensive experience in translational research. After working in both a university and industrial setting, he joined ICFO as a postdoctoral researcher in 2009. During the last two years of his postdoc, he led the pre-commercial prototype development project which led to the recent formation of the company.
• "For many scientists, the idea of transforming innovative lab-based technology into devices that will help society is very exciting. ICFO's innovation-friendly and supportive environment is making it possible for HemoPhotonics to pinpoint the opportunities which will maximize the utility of our non-invasive technology, putting it in the hands of researchers and doctors working with hemodynamic parameters" Dr. Udo Weigel
• “ICFO is committed to the development of new disruptive light based tools, but is also pushing to bring these technologies to market to assure that they are made available for society.” Dr. Silvia Carrasco, Director KTT
Research group led by Prof. Turgut Durduran:
http://www.icfo.eu/research/group_details.php?id=29
About ICFO:
ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences was created in 2002 by the government of Catalonia and the Technical University of Catalonia as a center of research excellence devoted to the science and technologies of light with a triple mission: to conduct frontier research, train the next generation of scientists and technologists, and provide knowledge and technology transfer. In recognition of research excellence, ICFO was granted the prestigious Severo Ochoa accreditation by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and was given the top worldwide position in the Physics category in the "Mapping Scientific Excellence" ranking published in 2013.
Research at ICFO targets the forefront of science and technology based on light with programs directed at applications in Health, Renewable Energies, Information Technologies, Security and Industrial processes, among others. The center currently hosts 300 professionals including researchers and PhD students, working in 60 laboratories. All research groups and facilities are located in a dedicated 14.000 m2 building situated in the Mediterranean Technology Park in the metropolitan area of Barcelona.
Researchers at ICFO publish in the most prestigious journals and collaborate with a wide range of companies around the world. The Corporate Liaison Program at ICFO, which includes members of a large number of local and international companies, aims to create synergies between ICFO and the industrial sector. The institute actively promotes the creation of spin-off companies by ICFO researchers. To date ICFO has helped create 5 start-up companies. The institute participates in many projects and international networks of excellence and is the recipient of generous philanthropic support by Foundation Cellex.
