Werfen is acquiring Omixon

17.05.2024

The Barcelona-based company Werfen is expanding its portfolio in transplantation diagnostics by acquiring the Hungarian firm Omixon. The privately-owned, Budapest-based Omixon is known for its innovative focus on developing and commercializing next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies in transplantation diagnostics. This acquisition will allow Werfen to enhance its diagnostic solutions for hospitals and clinical laboratories in the field of transplantation. The purchase price is expected to be 25 million USD, and the deal will be funded entirely in cash. Omixon announced this development in a statement on its website on 15 May 2024.

Dentistry and digitalisation

10.01.2024

We have reached a phase in dental digitalisation characterized by an interesting duality. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already part of our everyday lives, so it's no surprise that it has infiltrated the world of dentistry. However, even the simplest tasks, such as downloading and sharing an STL file, can still pose challenges. In the first issue of the Implantology e-magazine of 2024, published by the portal www.dental.hu, an interview was featured with Dr. Endre Varga, founder of dicomLAB Dental Ltd., and co-owner László Késmárki. They discussed how the latest innovations of the digital revolution are creating new opportunities in dentistry and whether we are prepared for the challenges that come with them.

Genomate: USD 2.25M investment

19.04.2024

Genomate has secured a $2.25 million investment to further develop its AI-based computational model, which predicts the likely success of targeted cancer therapies. Genomate Health, a pioneer in applying artificial intelligence to cancer treatment, announced the successful completion of another $2.25 million funding round. This capital injection aims to advance the company's computational model, which forecasts therapeutic responses to multiple molecularly targeted drugs for each cancer patient, regardless of cancer type. The company plans to seek FDA approval for its groundbreaking platform revolutionary platform to make its first-of-its-kind solution widely available.

IVDR licence for NanoTYPE™

11.06.2024

Omixon has received the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) approval for NanoTYPE™, an innovative transplantation diagnostic tool and the first CE IVDR certified kit based on Oxford Nanopore Technologies. These assays are among the first HLA genotyping kits to be approved under the new, more comprehensive regulation that came into force in May 2022. It confirms Omixon’s NanoTYPE meets the established safety, efficacy, and quality requirements for approval. Compatible with Oxford Nanopore’s MinION™ and GridION™ platforms, NanoTYPE addresses a thriving $200 million market in molecular transplant diagnostics. Outside transplantation HLA genotyping plays an increasing role in immuno-oncology, disease association and as companion diagnostics.

Dental Technology Summit Szeged

12.02.2024

dicomLAB Dental Ltd. held its first Dental Technology Summit at the Belvárosi Cinema building in Szeged, where renowned dental experts and technology enthusiasts showcased the latest trends and innovations in the dental technology industry. Over the past few years, the dicomLAB team has been working on a significant development to maintain the simplicity of the previously known SMART Guide while incorporating all the feedback received from user dentists across Europe. The event featured the introduction of the company's world-leading online dental implant surgery planning software, dicomLAB Platform 3.0, based entirely on cloud-based technology.

NVIDIA Inception Program

17.06.2024

Genomate Health has joined the NVIDIA Inception program, which supports startups that are revolutionising industries through technological advancements. Genomate Health has created computational models that leverage knowledge of published scientific evidence and clinical experience, augmented by computations. These models enable AI-driven treatments tailored to each patient's unique disease. Their flagship product, Genomate®, is the first clinically validated universal computational reasoning model that can predict response to multiple targeted therapies by analyzing each patient's unique combinations of genetic alterations and biomarkers in precision oncology. The results will be presented in a comprehensive, data-driven report that assists oncologists and patients in selecting the most appropriate treatment, thereby increasing the effectiveness of therapies.

Accessio could breed a global unicorn

06.09.2024

While Hungary performs relatively well in terms of the number of startups, the challenge lies in the fact that, at best, only one or two unicorns have been built in the country. True international success is measured by the creation of companies with a valuation exceeding one billion dollars from a startup. This is why the potential for outstanding success is promising for Accessio Equity Partners Venture Capital Fund Management Ltd. in its medtech portfolio, as it has the chance to "nurture" a real unicorn. In addition to promising investment opportunities, the company continuously seeks opportunities to involve co-investors who can support the future growth of the companies in its portfolio and contribute to successful exit strategies.

Lessons learned at multinationals: the Omixon success story

05.09.2024

It's always advantageous for someone to start their own business after gaining experience in multinational companies in an international environment, understanding the market and requirements they'll face with their startup. This was the fortunate position of Attila Bérces when founding Omixon. His prior experience helped him manage his promising medtech startup, even when facing the practices typical of American venture capital investors. Omixon's transplant compatibility test was the first in the world to solve a 40-year problem in transplantation diagnostics, providing the first clear genetic test result to determine patient-donor compatibility in organ transplantation.

Scouts preferred

07.08.2024

The scout is a skilled agent who is well-versed in navigating the international market, maintains good relationships, is flexible, and capable of asserting their interests. Countries need scouts not only in emergency situations, but also during the normal functioning of the international economic network. Currently, there is no mechanism in Hungary that can effectively transfer health industry R&D&I results to the global market in a way that ensures Hungarian participants (and thus the country) remain part of the project after market entry, rather than exiting almost immediately, and are able to benefit from the financial profits of the expansion. The "scout" would also be needed for effective internal/domestic operations. Of course, this can only work on a basis of aligned interests, rooted in proper incentives.

More AI-based start-ups added to Mayo accelerator program

11.08.2024

The Mayo Clinic Platform Accelerator Program is looking forward to welcoming the fourth cohort of start-ups to the program, consisting of nine innovative health technology companies from around the globe. The 20-week accelerator program will offer start-ups the opportunity to refine their AI-based solutions, helping to advance their business plans and providing resources to accelerate improvements in patient care. These companies are at the forefront of healthcare innovation and we excited to collaborate with them to further develop their cutting-edge solutions. Together, we can make a real difference in improving the quality of life for patients worldwide. One of the participants is Genomate Health Inc., which is developing AI-based computing tools for personalised medicine. Its primary goal is to help doctors make optimal, personalised treatment decisions based on the complex molecular characteristics of human diseases.

The White Unicorn incubator is launched

16.01.2024

The White Unicorn incubator plans to invest approximately HUF 284 million in 10 domestic startups over the next 2 years, primarily in the healthcare technology sector. The company plays an active role in building the domestic health/medtech ecosystem, facilitating networking for startups, and helping them access market information and experience. The White Unicorn has raised funding together with well-known Hungarian investment companies, such as STRT Invest Ltd., OXO Labs Business Management and Consulting Ltd, and Creative Accelerator Ltd. The incubator aims to support emerging technology startups in the healthcare sector with seed capital, mentoring from business, IT, and other professionals, and to create a professional community platform for academic, research, and market players.

Omixon presents HoloGRAFT ONE

01.06.2024

Omixon has announced the launch of HoloGRAFT ONE, a transplant monitoring kit for research purposes. This kit measures donor-derived, cell-independent DNA and is based on the company's proprietary genetic markers that help distinguish donor DNA from patient DNA using digital PCR technology. HoloGRAFT is an innovative test for research purposes, measuring both the absolute and relative amount of donor-derived cell-independent DNA in transplant recipients, based on the presence of genetic segments present in the donor but absent in the patient, known as copy number variants. Several studies are currently underway to validate the clinical performance of the HoloGRAFT test. Most recently, Karin Boer presented the results from a 182 monitoring sample of kidney transplant patients at the European Association of Immunogenetics conference in Geneva.

Innovation and capital investment in the medtech industry

28.05.2024

The story of the White Unicorn is an inspiring example of how a meeting of friends can become into a serious business venture. The founders - Erik Szabó, Dr. Endre Varga, László Késmárki and Dr. Attila Pintér - have different backgrounds that complement each other well in healthcare innovation. Erik and László’s previous joint business experiences, Endre’s medical and entrepreneurial background, and Attila’s legal and investment expertise combine to create an ideal team for supporting healthcare startups.