After securing €660K, VivArt-X joins forces with SBMC and Eindhoven University with €1.4M boost for personalised regenerative solutions

Eindhoven-based VivArt-X is a startup that specialises in the development of regenerative materials for women’s health.

The Dutch startup will collaborate with the Smart BioMaterials Consortium (SBMC) and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) to expedite the development of a synthetic biomaterial aimed at promoting the formation of healthy breast tissue post-breast surgery. 

Consequently, a budget of €1.4M has been allocated for this project, with collaborating partners covering 50 per cent of the costs. 

Additionally, 35 per cent of the funding is sourced from the European subsidy program OPZuid, while the remaining 15 per cent is provided by the Province of Noord-Brabant.

The research by VivArt-X and its consortium partners can have a major impact on public health. 

The new personalised method, in which the body’s cells form healthy breast tissue, should result in fewer reoperations, better recovery, and a better quality of life after breast surgery.

TU/e contributes its knowledge and facilities; SBMC will be responsible for accelerating product development and quality assurance. 

The screening of the new material and the improvement of cell-material interactions will be carried out in the development laboratory of SBMC, on the TU/e campus.

The announcement comes a few days after securing €660K in a pre-seed round of funding to advance the development of its biodegradable biomaterial for regenerating human tissue.

Breast cancer is a prevalent disease, affecting 1 in 7 women over their lifetime. Among the approximately 2.7M breast cancer patients worldwide, approximately 63 per cent require cancerous tissue removal and subsequent breast reconstructive surgery.

VivArt-X: Offering personalised regenerative solution

Founded in 2022 by Dr. Ir. Dan Jing Wu and Professor Dr. Patricia Dankers, VivArt-X aims to develop synthetic biomaterials for personalised regenerative solutions. 

The company’s goal is to revolutionise breast reconstructive surgery for women who have undergone breast tissue removal following a breast cancer diagnosis. 

According to the company, postoperative breast cancer patients often endure significant physical and emotional pain, with the choice of reconstruction strategy and recovery time playing a crucial role.

Recognising an unmet need, VivArt-X aims to address this challenge by introducing a synthetic, degradable biomaterial.

This innovation aims to enable surgeons to predictably restore and regenerate breast tissue, ultimately improving the quality of life for breast cancer patients through personalised and effective breast reconstruction.