Oxygen Sensor for Premature Babies
Each year, some 6,000 to 7,000 babies are born prematurely in Switzerland. This equates to around eight percent of all deliveries. These early arrivals often suffer from a lack of oxygen. The start-up known as OxyPrem has developed a device that accurately measures oxygen levels and can therefore help save lives.
Mr. Kleiser, Mr. Nitsch, you founded the spin-off OxyPrem in 2018 and took the bold step of going it alone. How did you first get together?
Nitsch: We are friends from school. Stefan was always the class techie back then. He could fix anything!
Kleiser: (laughs) Yes, I like to have a tinker with things. Which is why I also studied microsystems technology. During my doctorate at ETH, while based in the Neonatology Department at University Hospital Zurich, I had the opportunity to work on a sensor that measures oxygen content in the brains of premature babies. A consortium of neonatology consultants had approached my doctoral thesis supervisor, Professor Martin Wolf. They talked about how keen they were to have a device that can measure oxygen levels in those tiny heads. Until now, specialists have been using devices designed for adult patients. These were not made for newborn babies, in physiology terms, and were nowhere near accurate enough.
What can happen if premature babies get too much or too little oxygen?
Kleiser: If these babies get too little oxygen, some of their brain cells die off; in the case of too much, oxygen free radicals are generated, which also damage cells. With newborn babies, this may lead to things like retinopathy, which results in blindness. The earlier babies are born, the more precarious they are. Even very short episodes of poor oxygen supply can cause severe damage. Sadly, with life-long implications.
Nitsch: And the scale of the problem is huge. Each year, some 6,000 to 7,000 babies are born prematurely in Switzerland. This equates to around eight percent of all deliveries. The figure worldwide is 10 percent. A baby is classed as premature if it is born before the 37th week of pregnancy, with most premature babies born between the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy. Premature birth are particularly common in the case of multiple pregnancies.
Mr. Kleiser, what does the device you have developed actually do?
Kleiser: OxyPrem consists of a sensor for near-infrared spectroscopy, which is embedded in soft, biocompatible silicon and can easily be attached to the baby's head. The oxy emits harmless light, of various wavelengths, into the tissue and then checks which of these light waves are reflected and how intensely. Algorithms convert the signals into measurements of oxygen supply. The teams of doctors and care personnel providing treatment can read the results on a monitor. Clinical studies made it clear the technology delivers higher accuracy than was previously possible. This meant the product was ready for market. But I didn't have the knowledge, in terms of business or finance, to start a company.
Nitsch: This is where I came in: Stefan asked me if I would like to coordinate the project. I was convinced the device had potential. I come from a family of medics, so I had a feel for the subject matter. My decision to get involved in the start-up was also influenced by the idea of doing something useful, something to help people. And I felt I was well equipped to start the business, as I had already been doing my own thing in the area of finance and start-ups.
Did you get off to a good start, in financial terms, after founding OxyPrem?
Nitsch: Wyss Zurich, an interdisciplinary research and innovation center at the University of Zurich, supported us over the course of a 3-year accelerator program. This provided us with a good platform. The second main source of support came from a major EU sponsorship program, which the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation took over after Horizon 2020 came to an end. Last year, we got support from private investors and foundations.
Have you invested in your company yourself as well?
Nitsch: Yes, of course. This is also of relevance to investors, and they tend to ask about that. Now we have grown to a head count of 15 people, we also have a certain level of responsibility as business owners. So we have now decided to run a crowdfunding campaign. The aim is to raise 2.3 million euros by the end of this year. Our business was already valued at 17 million euros plus before this round of financing.
We are based in Schlieren’s «start-up space,» surrounded by other start-ups. It feels like a very supportive community. We also got a lot of help from various bodies at the University of Zurich, such as UZH Innovation or the Translational Medicine Accelerator (TMA). Because at the start-up stage, there are so many regulations and other things to think about, particularly in the field of medical technology, so we could not have managed this without help.
Have you had any setbacks?
Nitsch: Of course, no one is immune from surprises, things you have to change. The term valley of death is often heard in the world of start-ups. It refers to a particularly difficult phase in the life cycle of a start-up, when the business is facing major challenges and there is a risk it may fail. This phase is said to run from just after the initial period of actually founding the business and until it starts making its own money.
I find it misleading, as this phase often lasts longer than people plan for. I think that quite a few new businesses also fail for the same reason. When you set up a new company, you have to persevere through extensive lean periods, work really hard, take a long-term view, and show personal resilience. Not enough is said about that. Start-up founders need to be like camels, if anything. Unicorns are notoriously rare. Camels are hardy beasts that can survive in challenging desert conditions – this works as a metaphor for start-ups, which manage with less capital, still survive over the long term, and may finally achieve success.
What comes next?
Kleiser: Following optimization and miniaturization, our system is expected to achieve CE certification next year, as a medical device in the EU. So the second generation of our oxygen sensors for the brain will be on the market in 2025, under the name “OxyPrem NOAH.”
The next steps will involve getting the finance in place and expanding the range of clinical and commercial partners, so OxyPrem can access the whole of the European healthcare market.
Further Information
OxyPrem | Newborn Brain Protection
Episode of the Swiss TV program 10 vor 10, broadcast by SRF, about OxyPrem
10 vor 10 - «Die Idee»: Mini-Sensoren für Frühgeborene - Play SRF
Glossary
CE certification:
Abbreviation for "Conformité Européenne" (European Conformity). Indicates that a product meets European safety, health, and environmental standards
Near-infrared spectroscopy:
An analytical method that uses light in the near-infrared range to examine the composition or structure of substances
Neonatology:
A medical specialty focused on the care and treatment of newborns, particularly those who are sick or born prematurely
Spin-off:
A spin-off is where an organizational unit is separated off from an existing structure such as a university. A research group becomes a separate company once the foundation process is complete.
Contact
Stefan Kleiser
Alexander Nitsch
OxyPrem AG
c/o Startupspace
Wiesenstrasse 10A
8952 Schlieren
+41 43 508 16 97
E-Mail
From research to marketability: Zurich offers ideal conditions for successful spin-offs
The founding of a spin-off typically involves a transition from pure research to commercialization, something that presents a considerable challenge. This process involves developing a marketable application or product based on the results of research. It includes aspects such as product development, market analysis, business modeling, financing, legal framework conditions, and setting up a fully operational business. These hurdles need to be cleared in order to turn a scientific idea into a successful commercial enterprise.
Targeted support improves competitiveness
To help close the gap between scientific research and use in practice, University Medicine Zurich (UMZH) is offering interested spin-offs an opportunity to improve their competitiveness with the Translational Medicine Accelerator (TMA.) If the development process receives professional support and is therefore accelerated, this can give medical innovations a better chance of succeeding on the market. The TMA offers tailored advice, business courses, and mentoring, and connects company founders with relevant parties from industry and also investors. The UZH Life Sciences Fund is particularly worthy of mention. This provides specific financial support for spin-offs to help them develop their business strategy and successfully scale up their projects.
The TMA has supported almost 100 projects over the past three years. An important role is also played by SPARK ZURICH, a mentoring network supported by the TMA, which is based on the successful program with the same name, run by Stanford University in the USA. Founder teams are able to present their projects and plans and benefit from feedback given by a range of external experts.
Zurich as a unique place for business and commerce
The city itself, as a location, offers ideal conditions for innovative life sciences companies that are looking to build a successful business. And as Switzerland’s business hub, the «Greater Zurich Area» certainly impresses with its high density of small biotech companies, established industry partners, and leading-edge laboratory infrastructure. The region also offers access to the «Swissmedic Innovation Office,» which supports innovations in the area of medical devices and medicines. The promotion of spin-offs not only facilitates the emergence of innovative companies, but also creates highly skilled jobs. The proximity to leading universities and renowned university hospitals is another big draw. The close collaboration with leading global research facilities and access to international markets are of particular interest to investors.
By helping to fuel this dynamic innovation landscape, University Medicine Zurich is making a considerable contribution toward strengthening Zurich’s position as a leading center for medical innovations. This ultimately results in a significant improvement in healthcare provision and emphasizes Zurich’s key role in the global life sciences sector.
