Panakes Partners

Panakes Partners is a Milan-based venture capital firm founded in 2015 that specializes in early-stage investments in life sciences and healthcare across Europe and Israel. It backs ambitious teams developing innovative technologies and products to improve human health, providing capital and strategic guidance to move scientific discoveries toward practical market applications.

Lorenzo Giordano

CFO

Giacomo Piccinini

Associate

Alessio Piuma

Investment Manager

Marco Sardina Ph.D

Scientific Partner

Robbie Woodman Ph.D

Partner

Rob Woodman

Partner

Rob Woodman

Partner

Alessio Piuma

Investment Manager

39 past transactions

DeepUll

Series C in 2025
DeepUll is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing an innovative diagnostic system aimed at the early detection of sepsis. The company focuses on rapidly identifying pathogens and providing antibiogram results within hours. Utilizing artificial intelligence, DeepUll's system not only detects the causative infectious agents but also assesses the patient's immunological and functional status, allowing for predictive insights into the potential onset and progression of sepsis. This capability enables healthcare professionals to deliver timely clinical responses, even before symptoms manifest, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the unnecessary use of antimicrobials.

Neuromod Devices

Series B in 2025
Neuromod Devices, established in 2010 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a medical device company dedicated to the research and development of neuromodulation treatments for chronic tinnitus. The company's core product, the Mutebutton, is a bi-modal neuromodulation device designed to promote positive therapeutic changes in the human nervous system. Neuromod's mission is to empower patients worldwide, including the 10% of adults affected by chronic tinnitus, by delivering targeted, non-invasive therapies that seamlessly integrate into daily life.

Relief

Venture Round in 2025
Relief is a medical device company that develops uni-sex, minimally invasive solutions for urinary incontinence. It offers artificial sphincters and other innovative devices designed to restore continence, including an endo-urethral magnetic sphincter intended for outpatient use. The unisex device is replaceable and aims to provide effective, low-cost treatment that restores urination control even in severe cases of stress urinary incontinence.

Approxima

Series A in 2025
Approxima is an early-stage MedTech startup focused on developing innovative treatment technologies for patients experiencing tricuspid valve regurgitation. The company is creating a minimally invasive percutaneous tricuspid valve replacement method, which allows medical professionals to reshape the right ventricle and counteract right heart dilation during a procedure. This system enables the implantation of the device under beating heart conditions, guided by medical imaging, thereby enhancing patient safety and efficacy. Approxima's ongoing preclinical trials aim to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of this novel approach to address heart valve issues.

Endovascular Engineering

Series B in 2025
Endovascular Engineering is a preclinical stage company dedicated to advancing innovative mechanical thrombectomy solutions for peripheral medical conditions. The firm specializes in the development of clot removal technologies specifically designed to address venous thromboembolism, which encompasses critical health issues such as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. By focusing on these areas, Endovascular Engineering aims to equip healthcare professionals with efficient and effective tools to enhance patient outcomes in the management of these vascular conditions.

TENSIVE

Series A in 2025
TENSIVE s.r.l. is a biomedical company based in Milan, Italy, founded in 2012. It specializes in the development of innovative prostheses for natural breast reconstruction and augmentation. The company's products utilize biodegradable synthetic biomaterials and feature an internal micro-architecture that mimics blood vessel structures. These vascularized prostheses aim to enhance the quality of life for patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer, offering a solution that reduces the need for recurrent and costly surgical interventions. Through its focus on advanced biomaterials and design, TENSIVE seeks to provide effective and sustainable options for breast reconstruction.

Lymphatica Medtech

Series B in 2024
Lymphatica Medtech SA is a Swiss company that specializes in the design and manufacture of medical devices aimed at treating lymphatic diseases, particularly lymphedema. Founded in 2017 and based in Lausanne, the company has developed innovative solutions such as the LymphoDrain system, which includes an active implantable lymphatic bypass that integrates a magnetically controlled micropump and subcutaneous catheters. This technology is designed to re-establish lymphatic circulation by internally draining lymphatic fluid from multiple points in the affected limb, providing a minimally invasive remedy for patients suffering from lymphedema. Lymphatica Medtech's commitment to advancing treatment options in this field reflects its focus on improving patient outcomes through cutting-edge medical technology.

Alesi Surgical

Venture Round in 2024
Alesi Surgical Ltd. is a company based in Cardiff, United Kingdom, specializing in the development and commercialization of laparoscopic surgical smoke handling systems. Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the Welsh Institute for Minimal Access Therapy, Alesi Surgical focuses on creating products that enhance the safety, efficiency, and outcomes of surgical procedures. Its innovative tools are portable and suitable for both laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgeries, utilizing electrostatic precipitation technology to eliminate surgical smoke and maintain a clear visual field during operations. The company distributes its products to hospitals across Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Australia, leveraging its access to experienced surgeons and surgical trainers to identify challenges in surgical procedures and design effective solutions.

CorFlow

Series B in 2024
CorFlow Therapeutics is a medtech startup focused on developing innovative technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of microvascular obstructions in patients experiencing heart attacks. The company has created a controlled flow infusion system that utilizes a proprietary concept to measure microvascular resistance, allowing interventional cardiologists to assess the severity of microvascular obstruction. By comparing these measurements with post-procedure contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, CorFlow's technology aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of microvascular obstruction, potentially reducing both short- and long-term complications for severe heart attack patients. Through its advancements, CorFlow is committed to addressing significant unmet medical needs in cardiology.

SamanTree Medical

Series B in 2024
Founded in 2014 and based in Ecublens, Switzerland, SamanTree Medical develops digital microscopy systems using micro-optics for research, diagnostics, and surgeries. Its flagship product is a surgical digital microscope that enables real-time visualization of living tissue structure, enhancing surgical decision-making and reducing re-operation rates.

MMI

Series C in 2024
MMI S.r.l. is an Italian company that specializes in the manufacture and development of advanced micro instruments designed for surgical interventions. Founded in 2015 and based in Calci, Italy, MMI focuses on creating wristed micro instruments and their associated fabrication processes. The company also offers a proprietary robotic platform that enhances the capabilities of these instruments, facilitating complex reconstruction procedures following traumatic injuries and tumor removals in areas such as the breast, head, and bones. MMI aims to support surgeons globally by providing innovative tools that improve surgical outcomes while also reducing costs for patients and healthcare systems.

Enterprise Therapeutics

Series B in 2024
Enterprise Therapeutics is a United Kingdom-based drug discovery company founded in 2014 and based in Brighton. It develops novel disease-modifying therapies for respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis, asthma, and COPD, with a focus on addressing the underlying mechanisms of mucus congestion to improve breathing, reduce lung infections, and enhance patient quality of life.

DISCO Pharmaceuticals

Seed Round in 2024
DISCO Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focused on advancing cancer treatment through its innovative surfaceome mapping platform. The firm specializes in large-scale surfaceome unlocking of cancer cells, utilizing transformative cell discovery technology to identify proteins and protein communities present on the surface of cancer cells. This scalable approach allows for the extraction of comprehensive target information that traditional proteomics, genome, or transcriptome sequencing methods cannot provide. By leveraging this technology, DISCO Pharmaceuticals aims to enable the development of cancer-selective therapies, potentially enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects for patients.

Nouscom

Series C in 2023
Nouscom is a biotechnology company focused on developing an immunotherapy platform that creates engineered viral vector vaccines for cancer treatment. The company's innovative platform leverages a portfolio of modified viral vectors, specifically designed for the efficient expression of long strings of tumor neoantigens. This approach is complemented by a toolkit that facilitates the induction of robust antitumor T-cell responses, effectively enhancing cancer-specific cellular immunity in patients. Through its research and development efforts, Nouscom aims to improve cancer treatment outcomes by harnessing the body's immune system to target and combat cancer cells.

Allotex

Series B in 2023
Allotex, Inc. is an ophthalmic biologics and device company based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 2013, it specializes in the development of innovative contact lenses and therapeutic solutions aimed at addressing refractive vision issues such as presbyopia, hyperopia, and myopia. Allotex utilizes precisely-shaped human corneal allografts in conjunction with a compact excimer laser system to create permanent, living contact lenses or lens inserts. This approach allows medical professionals to provide the least invasive treatment options for various refractive procedures, enhancing patient outcomes in vision correction.

Carthera

Series B in 2023
Carthera is a clinical-stage medtech company focused on developing innovative ultrasound-based medical devices for treating brain disorders. Its proprietary device, SonoCloud®, is an intracranial ultrasound implant that, when used in conjunction with an intravenous microbubble agent, temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier. This mechanism significantly enhances the delivery of therapeutic molecules to the brain, potentially providing new treatment options for debilitating neurological conditions. Through its technology, Carthera aims to enable healthcare professionals to address challenging brain disorders more effectively.

EBAMed

Series A in 2023
EBAMed develops a non-invasive ultrasound-based device to monitor and treat heart motion using proton beams. Founded in 2018, the company is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Complement Therapeutics

Series A in 2023
A preclinical-stage company developing a precision medicine diagnostic platform. This platform enables patient stratification based on complement-activation profiles, potentially serving as an efficacy biomarker in future clinical studies.

Neuromod Devices

Series B in 2023
Neuromod Devices, established in 2010 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a medical device company dedicated to the research and development of neuromodulation treatments for chronic tinnitus. The company's core product, the Mutebutton, is a bi-modal neuromodulation device designed to promote positive therapeutic changes in the human nervous system. Neuromod's mission is to empower patients worldwide, including the 10% of adults affected by chronic tinnitus, by delivering targeted, non-invasive therapies that seamlessly integrate into daily life.

Approxima

Seed Round in 2023
Approxima is an early-stage MedTech startup focused on developing innovative treatment technologies for patients experiencing tricuspid valve regurgitation. The company is creating a minimally invasive percutaneous tricuspid valve replacement method, which allows medical professionals to reshape the right ventricle and counteract right heart dilation during a procedure. This system enables the implantation of the device under beating heart conditions, guided by medical imaging, thereby enhancing patient safety and efficacy. Approxima's ongoing preclinical trials aim to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of this novel approach to address heart valve issues.

MMI

Series B in 2022
MMI S.r.l. is an Italian company that specializes in the manufacture and development of advanced micro instruments designed for surgical interventions. Founded in 2015 and based in Calci, Italy, MMI focuses on creating wristed micro instruments and their associated fabrication processes. The company also offers a proprietary robotic platform that enhances the capabilities of these instruments, facilitating complex reconstruction procedures following traumatic injuries and tumor removals in areas such as the breast, head, and bones. MMI aims to support surgeons globally by providing innovative tools that improve surgical outcomes while also reducing costs for patients and healthcare systems.

BetaGlue Technologies

Seed Round in 2022
BetaGlue Technologies SpA is a Milan-based company that specializes in the development and manufacture of medical devices designed for loco-regional radiation therapy targeting unresectable solid tumors. The company's innovative product features a proprietary beta-emitting biocompatible matrix, which facilitates the controlled administration of radionuclides directly into tumor masses. This technology not only enhances the effectiveness of cancer treatment but also plays a crucial role in preventing complications that can arise following procedures such as lung and liver biopsies. By focusing on localized therapies, BetaGlue Technologies aims to improve patient outcomes and advance the field of cancer treatment.

Vivasure Medical

Series D in 2022
Vivasure Medical Limited is a medical device company based in Galway, Ireland, that specializes in the research, development, and manufacture of arterial and venous closure devices utilizing its patented PerQseal technology. The company focuses on creating polymer implants and delivery systems aimed at minimally invasive vessel closures, primarily in cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular surgery. Its flagship product is an absorbable patch-based large-bore percutaneous closure device, designed to effectively close large arteriotomies resulting from transcatheter procedures, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement and endovascular aneurysm repair. Founded in 2008, Vivasure Medical is committed to advancing techniques that enhance patient outcomes in vascular access procedures.

Diadem

Venture Round in 2022
Diadem develops a blood-based diagnostic test utilizing a proprietary antibody targeting a specific conformation of the p53 protein. Its platform aims to predict and monitor Alzheimer's disease progression, enabling early diagnosis and cost-effective treatment.

InnovHeart

Series C in 2022
InnovHeart is a medical device company that develops transcatheter mitral valve replacement systems to treat mitral valve disease. Its implant technology is designed to replace diseased mitral valves using a transcatheter approach, enabling hospitals to perform safer and more accessible valve replacement procedures. The company aims to provide a safe, effective, and easy-to-use solution for patients suffering from mitral valve dysfunction.

Alesi Surgical

Venture Round in 2021
Alesi Surgical Ltd. is a company based in Cardiff, United Kingdom, specializing in the development and commercialization of laparoscopic surgical smoke handling systems. Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the Welsh Institute for Minimal Access Therapy, Alesi Surgical focuses on creating products that enhance the safety, efficiency, and outcomes of surgical procedures. Its innovative tools are portable and suitable for both laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgeries, utilizing electrostatic precipitation technology to eliminate surgical smoke and maintain a clear visual field during operations. The company distributes its products to hospitals across Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Australia, leveraging its access to experienced surgeons and surgical trainers to identify challenges in surgical procedures and design effective solutions.

Endostart

Series B in 2021
Endostart is a developer of innovative colonoscopy technologies aimed at improving the efficiency and safety of colonoscopy procedures. The company has created a proprietary Magnetic Balloon Anchoring Technology, which includes a magnetic balloon guide, a ferrofluid syringe, and a multi-use magnetic handpiece. These advancements are designed to assist healthcare professionals in guiding and navigating colonoscopy procedures, thereby reducing wall stress and minimizing the need for general anesthesia. Through its unique approach, Endostart seeks to enhance patient comfort and streamline the colonoscopy process.

Salvia BioElectronics

Series A in 2020
Salvia BioElectronics B.V., founded in 2017 and based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, specializes in developing bioelectronic therapies aimed at alleviating chronic neurological diseases, particularly chronic migraines. The company seeks to deliver innovative, drug-free solutions that restore health while minimizing side effects. The name "Salvia," derived from the Latin word for health, reflects the company's commitment to well-being, paralleling the historical use of the Salvia plant in treating ailments like headaches and mental disorders. Salvia BioElectronics is driven by a team of experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds in the medical device industry, including notable companies such as Medtronic and Philips, who collaborate to make effective bioelectronic treatments widely accessible.

InnovHeart

Series B in 2020
InnovHeart is a medical device company that develops transcatheter mitral valve replacement systems to treat mitral valve disease. Its implant technology is designed to replace diseased mitral valves using a transcatheter approach, enabling hospitals to perform safer and more accessible valve replacement procedures. The company aims to provide a safe, effective, and easy-to-use solution for patients suffering from mitral valve dysfunction.

SamanTree Medical

Series A in 2019
Founded in 2014 and based in Ecublens, Switzerland, SamanTree Medical develops digital microscopy systems using micro-optics for research, diagnostics, and surgeries. Its flagship product is a surgical digital microscope that enables real-time visualization of living tissue structure, enhancing surgical decision-making and reducing re-operation rates.

Endostart

Seed Round in 2018
Endostart is a developer of innovative colonoscopy technologies aimed at improving the efficiency and safety of colonoscopy procedures. The company has created a proprietary Magnetic Balloon Anchoring Technology, which includes a magnetic balloon guide, a ferrofluid syringe, and a multi-use magnetic handpiece. These advancements are designed to assist healthcare professionals in guiding and navigating colonoscopy procedures, thereby reducing wall stress and minimizing the need for general anesthesia. Through its unique approach, Endostart seeks to enhance patient comfort and streamline the colonoscopy process.

Carthera

Series B in 2018
Carthera is a clinical-stage medtech company focused on developing innovative ultrasound-based medical devices for treating brain disorders. Its proprietary device, SonoCloud®, is an intracranial ultrasound implant that, when used in conjunction with an intravenous microbubble agent, temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier. This mechanism significantly enhances the delivery of therapeutic molecules to the brain, potentially providing new treatment options for debilitating neurological conditions. Through its technology, Carthera aims to enable healthcare professionals to address challenging brain disorders more effectively.

Aileens Pharma

Series A in 2018
Aileens Pharma is a developer of non-steroidal medications aimed at treating atopic dermatitis and various other dermatological disorders. The company's innovative approach addresses the need for effective non-pharmacological therapies in the management of skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. By focusing on the development of topical treatments, Aileens Pharma empowers healthcare professionals to implement protective measures and alleviate the symptoms associated with these conditions in both children and adults.

MMI

Series A in 2018
MMI S.r.l. is an Italian company that specializes in the manufacture and development of advanced micro instruments designed for surgical interventions. Founded in 2015 and based in Calci, Italy, MMI focuses on creating wristed micro instruments and their associated fabrication processes. The company also offers a proprietary robotic platform that enhances the capabilities of these instruments, facilitating complex reconstruction procedures following traumatic injuries and tumor removals in areas such as the breast, head, and bones. MMI aims to support surgeons globally by providing innovative tools that improve surgical outcomes while also reducing costs for patients and healthcare systems.

Alesi Surgical

Venture Round in 2017
Alesi Surgical Ltd. is a company based in Cardiff, United Kingdom, specializing in the development and commercialization of laparoscopic surgical smoke handling systems. Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the Welsh Institute for Minimal Access Therapy, Alesi Surgical focuses on creating products that enhance the safety, efficiency, and outcomes of surgical procedures. Its innovative tools are portable and suitable for both laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgeries, utilizing electrostatic precipitation technology to eliminate surgical smoke and maintain a clear visual field during operations. The company distributes its products to hospitals across Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Australia, leveraging its access to experienced surgeons and surgical trainers to identify challenges in surgical procedures and design effective solutions.

Vivasure Medical

Series C in 2016
Vivasure Medical Limited is a medical device company based in Galway, Ireland, that specializes in the research, development, and manufacture of arterial and venous closure devices utilizing its patented PerQseal technology. The company focuses on creating polymer implants and delivery systems aimed at minimally invasive vessel closures, primarily in cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular surgery. Its flagship product is an absorbable patch-based large-bore percutaneous closure device, designed to effectively close large arteriotomies resulting from transcatheter procedures, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement and endovascular aneurysm repair. Founded in 2008, Vivasure Medical is committed to advancing techniques that enhance patient outcomes in vascular access procedures.

Seventeen

Series A in 2016
Seventeen is a medtech startup. The company intends to use the funds to finalize the technology and clinically validate it in order to obtain the CE mark.

Echolight

Series A in 2016
Echolight is an innovative biomedical company that has pioneered the first radiation-free, office-based solution for assessing bone health. Focused on improving the early diagnosis and monitoring of osteoporosis, Echolight has developed a non-invasive technology designed to enhance the accuracy and accessibility of these critical health assessments. The company's mission is to meet the needs of both clinicians and patients by providing a reliable tool for the early detection of osteoporosis, ultimately aiming to improve health outcomes in bone health management.

Salvia BioElectronics

Salvia BioElectronics B.V., founded in 2017 and based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, specializes in developing bioelectronic therapies aimed at alleviating chronic neurological diseases, particularly chronic migraines. The company seeks to deliver innovative, drug-free solutions that restore health while minimizing side effects. The name "Salvia," derived from the Latin word for health, reflects the company's commitment to well-being, paralleling the historical use of the Salvia plant in treating ailments like headaches and mental disorders. Salvia BioElectronics is driven by a team of experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds in the medical device industry, including notable companies such as Medtronic and Philips, who collaborate to make effective bioelectronic treatments widely accessible.
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