Polish and Italian Start-ups Among 17 Europe’s Most Promising Deep Tech Ventures Bridge the ‘Valley of Death’

EIT Health has selected start-ups to go through the Deep Tech Venture Builder (DTVB) Programme, a unique programme aimed at innovators in academia.  Out of the seventeen teams selected from across Europe, several projects from Poland and Italy are drawing attention for their cutting-edge solutions and strong commercial potential in the health sector.

Specifically designed to support academic teams with deep tech solutions, EIT Health’s DTVB provides start-ups with the right support to overcome the most frequent hurdles experienced when launching to market. Notoriously known as the “Valley of Death” – where many promising ideas fail to transition out of academic environments – successfully navigating this stage requires overcoming the most common challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles, funding uncertainties, and making the transition from research to practical innovation.

From Poland, three dynamic ventures are tackling some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges:

• NIBITIC: Nano-Based IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα Biosensor for Inflammatory and Cancer Biomarkers

Country: Poland | Participating organisations: University of Zielona Góra, The Heart sp. z o.o.

NIBITIC is a portable biosensor that empowers cancer survivors with fast, lab-free detection of key inflammation and cancer markers (IL-6, IL-8, TNFα) in just one hour. This user-friendly device brings hospital-grade diagnostics to homes and clinics, enabling earlier interventions and greater peace of mind. With support from the DTVB programme, the team is gaining expert mentoring and strategic resources to overcome the hurdles that come with turning a lab prototype into a certified medical product – paving the way for more accessible, proactive healthcare starting in oncology and extending across chronic disease management.

• ACCREMeter: Accurate Creatinine Meter for Hemodialysed Patients

Country: Poland | Participating organisations: University of Warsaw, Commercialization Reactor

This project is revolutionising kidney care with a handheld device that provides real-time, lab-grade creatinine measurements, unaffected by bilirubin interference. It empowers hemodialysis patients with accurate, on-the-spot data to personalise treatment, reduce unnecessary sessions, and improve quality of life. With support from the DTVB programme, the team will gain expert guidance, technical resources, and access to strategic partnerships to advance toward clinical validation and a future wearable solution.

• COMRADE: AI-Powered Assistant for Real-Time Colon Cancer Screening

Country: Poland | Participating organisations: Medical University of Lodz, The Heart sp. z o.o.

COMRADE is an AI-powered system developed at the Medical University of Łódź to support doctors in detecting early signs of colorectal cancer during endoscopy. Colorectal cancer is one of Europe’s deadliest yet often late-diagnosed cancers, so by integrating seamlessly with existing hospital equipment, COMRADE enhances accuracy without costly upgrades. Funding, mentoring, and industry connections from the DTVB programme will help bring COMRADE to hospitals and significantly improve cancer care across Europe.

Italy is also making a strong showing with:

• PAL-HAND – a pneumatic handheld device providing haptic feedback to enhance upper limb neurorehabilitation.

Country: Italy | Participating organisations: Politecnico di Torino, Commercialization Reactor

PAL-HAND is an innovative handheld device designed for upper limb neurorehabilitation, using pneumatic force, vibrotactile, and audio feedback to deliver an engaging, multimodal therapy experience. By enabling tele-rehabilitation, it supports clinicians, enhances patient motivation, and allows objective tracking of recovery, ultimately reducing healthcare costs. With support from the DTVB programme, the team is advancing toward commercialisation by collaborating venture builder Commercialization Reactor to connect with rehabilitation and industry experts.

• GlycoView – a project introducing a non-invasive MRI method to detect glycolysis deregulation, aiding in the diagnosis of cancer and neurological disorders

Country: Italy | Participating organisations: University of Turin, Polytechnic of Turin

GlycoView is an innovative MRI-based imaging technology that detects glycolysis deregulation – a key marker in diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration – without the need for injected contrast agents. By amplifying signals from natural metabolites, it offers a safer, more accessible imaging option for vulnerable patients. The DTVB programme will be instrumental by providing access to clinical networks, regulatory expertise, and technical validation pathways. GlycoView aims to validate its clinical use, and streamline regulatory approval, paving the way for more sustainable, cost-effective metabolic imaging in everyday healthcare.

These ventures demonstrate the high-calibre innovation emerging from Central Eastern and Southern Europe, and underline the untapped potential of academic research in these regions when provided with targeted support and resources.

The remaining start-ups from Spain, France, Austria, North Macedonia, Switzerland, and the UK, represent a diverse portfolio of deep tech solutions, ranging from AI-powered diagnostics to novel medical devices. By supporting these innovators, EIT Health reinforces its commitment to reducing fragmentation within the European innovation ecosystem. It also ensures that high-impact ideas from across the continent, particularly from emerging regions like Central and Eastern Europe, are empowered to scale and succeed.

See the full list of selected projects .