Funding to Advance Rapid Detection Technology: Viva in Vitro

Viva In Vitro

Sepsis is a silent killer. Often misdiagnosed or detected too late, it claims 1 in 5 lives worldwide each year. That’s more than cancer of the colon, breast, or prostate. One of the biggest challenges in treating sepsis is timing: clinicians often don’t know who is at high risk until it’s too late.

Viva in Vitro, which was born as a spin-off from the Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), is building on the success of a pioneering ERC-funded research project to develop a breakthrough diagnostic tool. 

This easy-to-use blood test detects signs of immune dysfunction linked to sepsis within the first 24 hours before the patient’s condition becomes critical. It focuses on measuring the activation of a key immune system sensor called the NLRP3 inflammasome. Studies have shown that when this mechanism fails to activate properly, the risk of death increases dramatically.

With this new technology, doctors could quickly identify high-risk patients and intervene earlier; offering personalized treatment plans, reducing recovery time, and most importantly, saving lives.

This new €2.5M grant will allow Viva In Vitro to take its technology from lab bench to bedside. Allowing them to:

• Complete preclinical validation of the diagnostic test

• Launch initial clinical studies with patients

• Prepare for regulatory approval in both the EU and US

• Advance manufacturing and product development to market readiness

  
  

The ultimate goal? A diagnostic tool that’s fast, reliable, affordable, and accessible which can be integrated directly into hospital labs around the world.

And the potential impact is massive:

• Reduce sepsis-related deaths by 25–40%

• Lower average hospitalization costs (currently ~$32,000 per case)

• Improve quality of life for survivors

• Support more sustainable, cost-effective healthcare systems

  
  

At Futuro Perfecto, we help innovative companies like Viva In Vitro navigate the complexities of European funding, from strategy to submission and far beyond. Whether you're an early-stage startup or a growing scale-up with an ambitious R&D roadmap, we’ll guide you to the right funding instruments, help you craft compelling applications that resonate with evaluators, translate your scientific potential into clear market impact, and prepare you for interviews, pitch decks, and due diligence. 

We maximize your chances of success, not just with EIC Transition, but across the full spectrum of EU innovation programmes, including EIC Accelerator for companies ready to scale, Eurostars for R&D-driven SMEs, EIT Health, EIC Pathfinder, and more, depending on your sector and TRL.

You can learn more about Viva in Vitro on their website.