Cascara Ventures

ATRO Medical B.V., based in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, focuses on developing innovative solutions for knee joint health through its anatomically shaped meniscus implant, the Trammpolin. This implant is designed to restore the protective function of the meniscus by acting as a joint spacer, thus alleviating pain and improving life quality for patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The company emerged as a spin-out from DSM and Radboudumc, leveraging insights gained from a collaborative initiative that began in 2010, involving various universities and private enterprises with support from the Dutch government. The Trammpolin prosthesis is a synthetic, non-resorbable substitute that mimics the natural meniscus, functioning effectively as a shock absorber by ensuring adequate load distribution within the knee joint.

Surgify is engaged in the development of an innovative technology aimed at enhancing bone surgery outcomes. This technology focuses on protecting proximal soft structures during surgical procedures, thereby minimizing the risk of complications such as bleeding, infections, and nerve injuries. By collaborating closely with the Neurosurgical Department of Helsinki University Central Hospital, Surgify ensures that its solutions are informed by the needs of clinicians. The company is currently preparing to commercialize its technology, with support from the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation. Through its advancements, Surgify aims to reduce patient suffering and improve overall quality of life for individuals undergoing bone surgery.

ATRO Medical B.V., based in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, focuses on developing innovative solutions for knee joint health through its anatomically shaped meniscus implant, the Trammpolin. This implant is designed to restore the protective function of the meniscus by acting as a joint spacer, thus alleviating pain and improving life quality for patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The company emerged as a spin-out from DSM and Radboudumc, leveraging insights gained from a collaborative initiative that began in 2010, involving various universities and private enterprises with support from the Dutch government. The Trammpolin prosthesis is a synthetic, non-resorbable substitute that mimics the natural meniscus, functioning effectively as a shock absorber by ensuring adequate load distribution within the knee joint.

Desentum Oy is a biopharmaceutical company based in Finland that focuses on developing innovative hypoallergenic vaccines aimed at treating various allergies, including those caused by pollen, pets, and certain food proteins. Established in 2011, Desentum employs a unique approach to allergy immunotherapy by altering the immune system's response to allergens, promoting tolerance instead of hypersensitivity. The company leverages its research into the molecular mechanisms behind allergic reactions to design effective vaccines that aim to provide long-term relief for patients suffering from allergic symptoms. By utilizing recombinant allergens modified to suppress histamine release during treatment, Desentum seeks to minimize adverse effects and streamline the desensitization process, ultimately addressing the social and economic burdens associated with allergies.

microDimensions GmbH, based in Munich, Germany, specializes in developing software solutions for the processing, analysis, and visualization of microscopic image data, particularly in the field of digital pathology. Founded in 2011, the company offers products such as Voloom, an automated software for 3D reconstruction and analysis of histology specimens, and Zoom, a viewer for rapid visualization of whole slide images. Their software aids researchers in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and pathology sectors with various histological applications, including cell counting and tumor border computation. microDimensions also provides reconstruction and analysis services, ensuring that their solutions can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows. The company's commitment to creating efficient algorithms and high-quality standards enhances the speed and accuracy of histological assessments for pathologists.

Preventicus GmbH, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Jena, Germany, develops innovative health solutions that utilize smartphone and smartwatch technologies to monitor vital parameters. The company's main product, Preventicus Heartbeats, is a class I medical device designed to identify atrial fibrillation, a condition that increases the risk of stroke. This smart screening solution allows users to check their heart rhythm quickly and conveniently, requiring no additional accessories. The software applications are certified medical devices and have demonstrated a level of accuracy previously achievable only by physicians, making them valuable for private users, corporate clients in occupational health management, and OEM customers. Preventicus focuses on early preclinical risk screening for lifestyle-related illnesses, including heart attacks and strokes, effectively enhancing personal health management.

xbird GmbH is a medical artificial intelligence company based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. The company specializes in developing algorithms that analyze micro-movements detected by sensors in smartphones and wearables. These algorithms interpret daily activities and significant events that affect patients' health, particularly focusing on diabetes management. By capturing data streams from various devices, xbird's software personalizes therapies to improve health outcomes. This approach allows caregivers to identify potential health risks and optimize long-term treatment plans, fostering a holistic care model for patients.

Fiagon GmbH, founded in 2007 and based in Hennigsdorf, Germany, specializes in the development and manufacture of navigation systems tailored for surgical applications, including ENT, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and neurosurgery. As a subsidiary of Fiagon AG Medical Technologies, the company focuses on enhancing clinical navigation through advanced electromagnetic navigation technology. Its systems utilize electromagnetic tracking matrix algorithms and flexible pointer technology, which accurately depict the position of surgical instruments in relation to CT and MRI image data. This innovative approach aids physicians in precise surgical planning, ultimately improving patient outcomes and the execution of operations.

microDimensions GmbH, based in Munich, Germany, specializes in developing software solutions for the processing, analysis, and visualization of microscopic image data, particularly in the field of digital pathology. Founded in 2011, the company offers products such as Voloom, an automated software for 3D reconstruction and analysis of histology specimens, and Zoom, a viewer for rapid visualization of whole slide images. Their software aids researchers in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and pathology sectors with various histological applications, including cell counting and tumor border computation. microDimensions also provides reconstruction and analysis services, ensuring that their solutions can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows. The company's commitment to creating efficient algorithms and high-quality standards enhances the speed and accuracy of histological assessments for pathologists.

Fiagon GmbH, founded in 2007 and based in Hennigsdorf, Germany, specializes in the development and manufacture of navigation systems tailored for surgical applications, including ENT, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and neurosurgery. As a subsidiary of Fiagon AG Medical Technologies, the company focuses on enhancing clinical navigation through advanced electromagnetic navigation technology. Its systems utilize electromagnetic tracking matrix algorithms and flexible pointer technology, which accurately depict the position of surgical instruments in relation to CT and MRI image data. This innovative approach aids physicians in precise surgical planning, ultimately improving patient outcomes and the execution of operations.

SurgicEye GmbH, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, specializes in intra-operative imaging and instrument navigation solutions tailored for surgical procedures. The company offers several innovative products, including the declipse SPECT open surgery, a navigated radio-guided surgery system utilizing handheld 3-D freehand SPECT imaging technology; the declipse SPECT Laparascopy, an intraoperative 3D imaging system for performing invasive sentinel lymph node biopsies; and the declipse SPECT imaging probe, a mobile high-resolution SPECT imaging solution. Additionally, SurgicEye provides consulting services in medical device development, including requirement engineering, software specification, software development, and testing for medical devices, as well as support for designing and conducting clinical studies.

Meidrix Biomedicals is a medical biotechnology company that specializes in medical devices for cartilage repair. Meidrix Biomedicals also offers regenerative and biological medical products. Meidrix Biomedicals was founded in 2009 and was headquartered in Bayern, Germany.

Surgify is engaged in the development of an innovative technology aimed at enhancing bone surgery outcomes. This technology focuses on protecting proximal soft structures during surgical procedures, thereby minimizing the risk of complications such as bleeding, infections, and nerve injuries. By collaborating closely with the Neurosurgical Department of Helsinki University Central Hospital, Surgify ensures that its solutions are informed by the needs of clinicians. The company is currently preparing to commercialize its technology, with support from the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation. Through its advancements, Surgify aims to reduce patient suffering and improve overall quality of life for individuals undergoing bone surgery.