Global Shaper 2017: Dicronis, early lymphedema diagnosis
29.11.2017
This summer we asked you to vote for your favorite of our supported startups from the past 10 years: those that you felt had the power to change the world. We announced our Global Shapers at our 10 year anniversary event on 29th November and will update you with them on our website throughout December.
 Dicronis
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EARLY LYMPHEDEMA DIAGNOSIS USING MICRONEEDLES According to the World Health Organization, cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of death world-wide, with over 14 million new cases in 2012, and expected to rise by 70 % in the next two decades. Lymphedema is a frequently occurring and serious side effect of many cancer therapies. It is a chronic and progressive condition, expressed through swelling of a limb and caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system. Lymphedema is often diagnosed too late, which leads to decreased quality of life for the pa¬tient and high-cost treatments. Dicronis has developed the earliest possible lymphedema detection system to date, enabling tracking of lymphatic functions for early diagnosis. Early detection allows for early intervention and prevention while slowing down progression of the condition.
GREAT IMPROVEMENT OF PROGNOSIS AND PATIENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE
The first product in Dicronis’ pipeline, Lymphit, measures patients’ lymphatic function in a safe, home-based and highly scalable manner, meaning that physicians are able to remotely monitor multi¬ple patients and provide an early diagnosis. Through the use of fluorescent microneedles, Lymphit can monitor lymphatic function on the skin no matter where the patient is, meaning that doctors have access to reliable up-to-date information on which to base an early diagnosis, even while the patient is asymptomatic. By enabling such early diagnoses, Dicronis hope to give doctors the tools to slow down the progression of the condition and improve quality of life and prognosis of patients.
OUT OF THE LAB AND INTO THE MARKETPLACE
Dicronis was part of this year’s venture leaders Life Science team, taking part in the high-powered investors and business roadshow in Boston. The team was also awarded the second stage of Venture Kick. After less than one year in business, Dicronis has filed its first t patent and been awarded an ETH Pioneer Fellowship worth CHF 150,000. Next, Dicronis aims at raising CHF 1.5m by the end of Q2 2018, in order to complete the first in human study of Lymphit and further develop the second product in the pipeline. CEO Patrizia Marschalková explains that Venture Kick played a key part in the first year of the startup: “The Venture Kick team had an important role in guiding Dicronis through our first year. The program is specifically structured for a growing startup, and by having fixed deadlines and objectives, it helped us keep the focus on the most relevant aspects of the business case. We had also the unique opportunity to work and learn in strict contact with teams of other startups during the intensive kickers-camps.”
See what people are saying on Twitter using the hashtags #10YVentureKick for our anniversary and #VentureKickGS for our Global Shapers
GREAT IMPROVEMENT OF PROGNOSIS AND PATIENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE
The first product in Dicronis’ pipeline, Lymphit, measures patients’ lymphatic function in a safe, home-based and highly scalable manner, meaning that physicians are able to remotely monitor multi¬ple patients and provide an early diagnosis. Through the use of fluorescent microneedles, Lymphit can monitor lymphatic function on the skin no matter where the patient is, meaning that doctors have access to reliable up-to-date information on which to base an early diagnosis, even while the patient is asymptomatic. By enabling such early diagnoses, Dicronis hope to give doctors the tools to slow down the progression of the condition and improve quality of life and prognosis of patients.
OUT OF THE LAB AND INTO THE MARKETPLACE
Dicronis was part of this year’s venture leaders Life Science team, taking part in the high-powered investors and business roadshow in Boston. The team was also awarded the second stage of Venture Kick. After less than one year in business, Dicronis has filed its first t patent and been awarded an ETH Pioneer Fellowship worth CHF 150,000. Next, Dicronis aims at raising CHF 1.5m by the end of Q2 2018, in order to complete the first in human study of Lymphit and further develop the second product in the pipeline. CEO Patrizia Marschalková explains that Venture Kick played a key part in the first year of the startup: “The Venture Kick team had an important role in guiding Dicronis through our first year. The program is specifically structured for a growing startup, and by having fixed deadlines and objectives, it helped us keep the focus on the most relevant aspects of the business case. We had also the unique opportunity to work and learn in strict contact with teams of other startups during the intensive kickers-camps.”
See what people are saying on Twitter using the hashtags #10YVentureKick for our anniversary and #VentureKickGS for our Global Shapers