Academic PoCs

The BRAVE project aims to validate an innovative biodegradable device for tendon rupture repair, eliminating the need for sutures. Developed in Turin, it will be tested on horse tendons as a model for the human Achilles tendon. Expected outcomes include the implementation of the new technique, mechanical and micro-vascular assessments, and cell viability tests. The primary beneficiaries are both human and animal patients with tendon ruptures, as well as medical and veterinary professionals. This device promises to enhance quality of life and advance research in orthopedic surgery and regenerative medicine.   Contact: Contact person Andrea Bertuglia Email andrea.bertuglia@unito.it Tel +39 0116709058 +39 3470034742  

Heart failure is a complex syndrome with high morbidity and mortality, affecting 64 million people and costing over $100 billion annually. To address this challenge, a biocompatible, resorbable, multilayer cardiac patch has been develped. It mimics the mechanical and anisotropic properties of the myocardium and it is designed to interact at the molecular level with various types of carciac cells. The goals are to reduce technological risks and create a new entrepreneurial reality within the NODES Ecosystem.  Proof-of-concept studies on pigs and rats have demonstrated the cardioprotective capabilities of the patch, leading to new patentable technologies. The IMPAVID 2.0 projects aims to bridge the gap between research and industry, making the device accessible to patients, delivering economic benefits, and improving quality of life and care.  The multidiscliplinary team will analyse the economic sustainability of innovation and the risk/benefit ratio, involving the main players in the medtech sector.      Contact: Contact person  Claudia Giachino  Email chiara.giachino@unito.it Tel +39 0116705056  

Patient preference studies (PPS) are crucial in clinical research for designing studies and developing therapies, but they present methodological challenges due to the heterogeneity of preferences. Repertor.io aims to facilitate the use of PPS in healthcare decision-making with a platform for collecting and analyzing preferences, improving healthcare strategies and therapy development. This platform supports health technology assessment agencies, researchers in selecting relevant endpoints, and pharmaceutical companies in planning R&D investments. The global market for patient engagement solutions, of which PPS are a part, is valued at $17.88 billion with a growth rate of 20.1% from 2023 to 2028.     Contact: Contact person  Paola Berchialla   Email paola.berchialla@unito.it Tel +39 3478768532  

POTENTE aims to develop glassy and ceramic biomaterials (bioactive glass, hydroxyapatite, zirconia) to promote osteointegration and reduce infections without antibiotics, using non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma treatments. This technology, which is relatively unexplored for these materials, offers advantages over current methods. The project includes new plasma treatments, their characterization, and the creation of prototypes, with potential applications extending to other biomedical fields.     Contact: Contact person  Marta Miola Email marta.miola@polito.it Tel  +39 0110904717  

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common infection in intensive care units, challenging to diagnose quickly and accurately. Diagnosing VAP often takes time, leading to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and the risk of overtreatment, which increases the likelihood of antibiotic resistance. The DIAGNO-VAP project aims to develop a rapid and minimally invasive diagnostic test for identifying bacterial infections in intensive care units through the analysis of exhaled breath condensate (EBC). This method, already tested on intubated and non-intubated patients, aims to identify pathogen biomarkers in EBC to create a diagnostic kit. The kit will use specific antibodies and will be supported by a digital platform for analyzing and interpreting results, enabling more timely diagnoses and treatments while reducing antibiotic resistance. The team includes researchers and doctors specializing in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and intensive care.     Contact: Contact person Elettra Barberis  Email elettra.barberis@uniupo.it Tel +39 3393752351  

After chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgical treatment, patients with breast cancer often report upper limb deficits and lymphedema in the ipsilateral arm. These symptoms affect more than 20% of patients who have undergone axillary incision. Both lymphedema, pain, and motor deficits can become chronic, significantly impacting not only the physical but also the psychological well-being of patients. Exercise, optimized for quantity and intensity, plays a crucial role in reducing the number and severity of side effects and contributes to improving the quality of life. Furthermore, it has been shown that women with breast cancer who maintain appropriate physical activity have a lower risk of recurrence and the development of other chronic diseases, leading to better overall survival. The RESTORE-MAM project aims to utilize telemedicine to offer supportive therapies, improving upper limb functionality with personalized care through a mHealth app.        Contact: Contact person Lia Rimondini  Email lia.rimondini@uniupo.it Tel +39 0321 660673  

The PREDIRE project aims to develop software based on artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to reliably predict the formation of co-crystals between active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and co-formers. This technology is crucial because 70% of new drugs exhibit low solubility, compromising therapeutic efficacy. Pharmaceutical co-crystals offer a solution by improving drug properties without altering their therapeutic action. However, selecting the right co-former from thousands is a complex process. The project aims to overcome this issue with a predictive approach, reducing time, costs, and the need for experimental trials. In collaboration with the EXPANDO project, the goal is to develop an integrated system for creating more effective and accessible drugs.         Contact: Contact person  Roberto Gobetto  Email roberto.gobetto@unito.it Tel +39 0116707520  +39 3343953536  

Healthcare is undergoing a transformation thanks to digital innovation, offering new technologies to improve prevention, care, economic and environmental sustainability. Digital twins of individual organs, personalized models updated with medical data and sensors, represent an innovation for personalized healthcare. Organ-on-chips (OoCs) simulate organ activities in vitro, contributing to the creation of both digital and biological twins. The TWINs4RA project aims to develop a microfluidic platform for the 3D culture of joint tissues, focusing on the synovium and synovial fluid, while also integrating the immune system. The platform will use organ-on-chips and digital twins to create personalized disease models, enabling personalized clinical trials. The digital twin, powered by data from the biological twin through AI and machine learning, will help predict each patient’s therapeutic response.         Contact: Contact person  Annalisa Chiocchetti  Email annalisa.chiocchetti@med.uniupo.it ; info@aitwin.it  Tel +39 3492951764  

Cancer is one of the leading cause of death globally, and early diagnsosi is crucial to improving treatments.  The NanoZoom project aims to develop and optimize an experimental diagnostic system using ultrasonic pressure probes and biomimetic nanoparticles (Lipo-NPs) to detect tumors quickly and accurately. Lipo-NPs enhance ultrasound contrast and enable enhanced sonoluminescence, providing high-resolution diagnostic images.   Biocompatible and non-toxic, these nanoparticles increase the precision of diagnosis for colon and breast cancers. Artificial intelligence reconstructs detailed 3D images, promising a revolution in oncological diagnosis.          Contact: Contact person Valentina Cauda  Email valentina.cauda@polito.it Tel +39 0110907389 +39 3336333043  

Post-myocardial infarction ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of  death worldwide, with no clinical therapies capable of restoring cardiac function. RNAs represent a promising therapeutic frotnier, but its clinical applications are limited due to the lack of safe release systems. The NAPTER project is developing a new platform of hybrid polymer nanoparticles for the safe and effective release of specific microRNAs to target cells, aiming to recover cardiac function by reprogramming fibroblasts in the fibrotic scar into cardiomyocytes. NAPTER nanoparticles, which are biocompatible and effective according to preliminary tests, are produced using a patented scalable method. The project includes dose-dependent efficacy analysis, the development of AI-based methods, scale-up production, de-risking tests, and the definition of an industrial development strategy, along with entrepreneurial training and investor engagement for the creation of a spin-off.          Contact: Contact person Valeria Chiono Email valeria.chiono@polito.it Tel +39 0110906920  +39 3273636923