Blog Posts

MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OPENED INNOVATIVE OPERATING ROOMS AT RADBOUDUMC

11/19/2015

On November 12th her Majesty Queen Maxima opened the MITeC (Medical Innovation & Technology expert Center) of the Radboudumc. These operating rooms are unique in Europe and combine facilities for operations, 3D radiographs and MRI scans. As a result, simultaneous diagnostics can take place during operations, on the basis of which further treatment can be immediately determined. In the short term, Radboud UMC expects to use the MITeC operating rooms to treat cancer within a single day.

Furthermore, doctors, companies and researchers can use the MITeC operating rooms to develop new ideas or test equipment. Radboud Research Facilities provides the opportunity to conduct research into MRI-compatible materials, biopsy systems and robots, including the RCM of Soteria Medical (see picture.) With this initiative, the Radboud University Medical Centre makes a significant contribution to sustainable and meaningful innovations in healthcare.

Read the complete article of Radboudumc.
The official opening can be viewed here.

THE ZEEUWS INVESTMENT FUND INVESTS IN DOVIDEQ MEDICAL, DEVELOPER OF TESTING DEVICES FOR ENDOSCOPES

11/5/2015

ScopeControle DOVIDEQ Medical, Zeeuws InvesteringsFonds

DOVIDEQ Medical (DOVIDEQ) has developed the ScopeControl, a device that measures the quality of rigid endoscopes in a simple way, and objectively assesses whether an endoscope can be used in the operating room. The Zeeuws Investment Fund (ZIF) invests in DOVIDEQ to make international growth and new product developments possible.

Keyhole surgeries
The largest number of the surgeries performed these days are keyhole surgeries, in which (rigid) endoscopes are used. Unfortunately a lot of hospitals suffer from defective endoscopes, which results in delays during surgery but also creates a higher risk for the patient. It is therefore essential that defects are recognized before usage of the endoscope in the operating room to minimalize critical consequences. To make this possible, systemic objective testing of endoscopes is essential.

ScopeControl
The ScopeControl performs several measurements on an endoscope and the results are evaluated with an algorithm. The measuring results are compared with the minimal specifications for the endoscope and when they are lower, the endoscope will be removed from the work process and offered for repair. The ScopeControl is brand independent and is therefore able to check all endoscopes.

New Developments
”Besides the ScopeControl we also (since recently) have the DoviSCAN, a DataMatrix scanner that reads codes on medical instruments and can be used for Track & Trace purposes or other forms of instrument registration. We are also working on a Cloud environment in which the measurement registrations of all endoscopes will be saved. This makes it possible to compare quality and usage of endoscopes. Within 5 years we want to become a leading player in the field of control and optimal usage of endoscopes. The investment of ZIF ensures that we can fulfill this ambition” says Bert Dommerholt, CEO of DOVIDEQ.

Potential
Johan Sebregts, fund manager at ZIF: “From the first conversation on we were impressed with the performance of DOVIDEQ. They had already sold a sizable number of ScopeControls to leading hospitals, created ties with some renowned distributors and were supported in the development of the ScopeControl by researchers and specialist of UMC Utrecht, St. Jansdal hospital and Münster University of Applied Sciences and more.
This, combined with the new product developments, makes us believe in the potential of DOVIDEQ. Through the investment of ZIF and the input of our knowledge and experience we want to contribute to realizing the growth.”  

DOVIDEQ Medical was founded in 2011 by Bert Dommerholt and Menno de Braak.

More information about DOVIDEQ Medical.

THE ZEEUWS INVESTMENT FUND INVESTS IN INNO4LIFE, THE ENGINEERING PARTNER IN THE LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR.

9/16/2015

Inno4Life has extensive expertise, enabling it to provide innovative solutions for the ever-changing needs of the Life Sciences sector, particularly within the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. These include solutions relating to packaging processes and the track & tracing of pharmaceuticals.

Pharmaceutical industry
The pharmaceutical industry is constantly changing. Mergers and reorganisations are commonplace, new economies are emerging, prices are under pressure and, in addition, there are ever-changing and more stringent regulatory requirements. These factors force pharmaceutical companies to be efficient and competitive in their production, making innovation a necessity in areas such as production processes. These innovations are related both to cost savings (energy efficiency, reduced space, fewer human operations, reduced waste production and concentration on production of semi-finished products) and to compliance with new legislation. This challenging environment demands that pharmaceutical companies maintain a 'top-of-the-class’ position and that specialist suppliers of production resources are constantly innovating.

Johan Klootwijk, CEO Inno4Life: "We are experienced in system and module development. Inno4Life brings knowledge and skills in response to the demands of the industry.
We specialize in complex 'engineering-to-order projects'. Our ambition is to be recognized as an international supplier of automated production equipment, by leading the way in the delivery of client-specific, innovative solutions, based on exceptional customer service and ‘value for money’. With ZIF's investment of capital and knowledge, we will be able to realize our ambitions for growth.”

Johan Sebregts, fund manager at Zeeuws Investment Fund: "By investing in Inno4Life,
we have added another great company to the ZIF portfolio. Thanks to our participation, Inno4Life can take on additional highly qualified staff, enabling the large number of acquired projects to be implemented and new projects to be realized. Through the combination of its unique technological expertise, the experience of a motivated organization and its extensive client portfolio, we are confident that Inno4Life will realize its potential for growth."

Inno4Life is established in 2010 by Johan Klootwijk and Wouter Hutzezon. Both of whom have gained extensive experience in the Life Sciences sector over the last 15 years.

More information about Inno4Life.

SOTERIA MEDICAL MET TWO NEW IMPORTANT MILESTONES

7/24/2015

ISO / CE mark
Soteria Medical has realized the ISO 13485 certificate and the official CE mark for the RCM, a manipulator which can be used for biopsies of the prostate, under MR image guidance. With this certificate the RCM can be sold to hospitals and private clinics in Europe. In addition Soteria Medical registered the RCM with Australian authorities (TGA) to market the product there.

International growth
Soteria Medical sold the first RCM to Australia, namely Cairns Radiology. The RCM has been successfully installed and a team of Radiologists and Urologist has been trained.

More information about Soteria Medical.

ZEEUWS INVESTMENT FUND INVESTS IN MAGNETIC BV, UNIQUE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

6/3/2015

Data acquisition, signal processing, and the management of devices and processes is of increasing importance. Combined with the increasing interconnectedness of systems through network and IT technology, the ‘Internet of Things’ trend continues to develop. For example, the availability of information at high data rates across electronic currents is crucial in the optimal management of motors, and thus allows one to improve the efficiency of the green motor. Emerging markets are HV and EHV in automotive, as well as industrial robots. The trends in smart grid, with intelligent links between energy producers, users and ‘smart home’, require sensors to monitor and guide the flow of energy. As a result, the number of applications of sensors for electric currents is rapidly expanding.

MAGnetIC responds to this opportunity in a smart way by delivering a unique (patented) technology: magnetic sensors that are completely integrated in a chip and that allow wireless electrical current to be measured. The products are small, reliable, programmable, and can be produced in large quantities.
With the participation of the ZIF, MAGnetIC has the resources to set up mass production and to further arrange the organization. With this, MAGnetIC aims to become a globally recognized developer and supplier of advanced micro-electronic sensor products.

Gert van der Horn, CTO MAGnetIC: “The chip industry has changed a lot during the last decade. The fear that the whole development would move to Asia is gone. Europe has maintained a leading position in the market. MAGnetIC products have a high technological standard, which is rooted in our many years of experience with designing microelectronics. Thanks to ZIF, we are now able to make the desired transition from design company to product company.”

Johan Sebregts, fund manager at Zeeuws Investment Fund: ”This is the type of company and technology that perfectly complements ZIF’s ambitions. Thanks to our participation, we can now accurately anticipate huge market opportunities. Given the unique technology and the experienced and dedicated management team, we are confident that MAGnetIC will grow into a beautiful and valuable company.”

MAGnetIC BV was founded in 2013 and originated from SystematIC Design BV (1998),
a company focused on designing high performance analog and mixed signal (combination of analog and digital) electronics.

More information about MAGnetIC.

ZEEUWS INVESTMENT FUND INVESTS IN MIMETAS

2/5/2014

Mimetas Organ on a plate Zeeuws Investment Fund

Together with Participatiemaatschappij Oost Nederland NV (PPM Oost), the Zeeuws Investment Fund invests in MIMETAS. MIMETAS is a company that develops and manufactures microfluidic chips equipped with cultured biological tissues. The investment is mainly used to further ensure development of the technology and to start production.

MIMETAS technology, so-called OrganoPlates™, is equipped with microfluidic chips with cultured biological tissues that mimic the structure and function of human organs. “Our organ models are more predictive than laboratory animals or standard two-dimensional cell cultures,” says Paul Vulto of MIMETAS. “This is because we grow human cells in a three dimensional environment, with a type of blood stream alongside. Furthermore, we can connect various tissues, allowing them to communicate with each other.”

"The need for so-called ‘Organ-on-a-Chip’ models is growing", says Vulto. “The development of new medicine is a huge financial cost. In addition, medicine become increasingly more complex. Our organs on a chip make it possible to, at an early stage, predict the effect of medicine on people or a certain sub group of patients. This results in the removal of a significant portion of the development risk.”

Together with Jos Joore, Vulto founded MIMETAS in Leiden in 2013. At the end of 2013, a cooperation agreement was signed with the listed pharmaceutical company Galapagos, which has great confidence in the future of MIMETAS. Richard Janssen, Senior Director of Target Discovery at Galapagos: “The MIMETAS platform is the first to combine organ-on-a-chip technology with our high throughput screening of primary human cells. As we see it, OrganoPlates make 3D culture as straightforward as traditional cell culture.”

Johan Sebregts, director of the Zeeuws Investment Fund, is impressed with the technology and management of MIMETAS: “MIMETAS brings nanotechnology and biotechnology together in an innovative product, which tackles major social issues, such as animal testing and the ever-rising costs of medicine. This unique technology in combination with a highly experienced and expert management team gives us great confidence in realizing the potential of MIMETAS.”

More information about MIMETAS.

ZEEUWS INVESTMENT FUND INVESTS IN EAGLET EYE

1/5/2014

.The Zeeuws Investment Fund invests in Eaglet Eye; a company that develops high-tech instruments for eye care professionals. The investment of the ZIF will mainly be used for the international launch of the ESP.

The ESP is a revolutionary precision instrument for the measurement of the eye, and of essential importance for the safe and comfortable fit of contact lenses, special contact lenses in particular. The ESP is the first device that is able to measure a diameter of 20mm of the eye surface. The technology was originally developed at the University of Maastricht and has seen continued development by parties in the Netherlands in cooperation with international experts in the optometry field.

Eaglet Eye CEO, Arnoud Snepvangers: “With the Zeeuws Investment Fund, we feel we have chosen the right investor to not only support us with their capital, but also with their knowledge and expertise. This allows our company to grow internationally and to realize the ambition to improve the quality of vision around the world, both for the patient and the ophthalmologist.”

Johan Sebregts, director of the Zeeuws Investment Fund: “Eaglet Eye fits very well into the ZIF portfolio. Eaglet Eye brings new and inspiring technology on the market and has the potential to become a global player in the field of precision instruments for eye care. We foresee a bright future for Eaglet Eye.”

More information about Eaglet Eye.

ZEEUWS INVESTMENT FUND INVESTS IN SOTERIA MEDICAL BV

1/1/2014

Soteria Medical BV Zeeuws Investment Fund

Together with the Innovation and Investment Fund Gelderland, the Zeeland Investment Fund invests in Soteria Medical BV. Soteria has developed a robotic arm that is used for prostate biopsies in an MRI environment. Soteria Medical completed the clinical trials in 2013 and will bring the robot arm on market in 2014.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men. As many as 1 out of 7 men will face prostate cancer. Increasingly, MRI is used to better analyze the development of aggressive tumors in the prostate and for taking a biopsy.
One of the world’s leading centers in the field of detection and treatment of prostate cancer is the St. Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen. Patients from all over the Netherlands and around the world visit the St. Radboud because they apply the latest techniques. St. Radboud has developed a number of these techniques.

One of these newly developed techniques is a robot that is able to automatically move the biopsy needle to a suspicious spot on the prostate, while the patient lies in the MRI. This procedure is performed faster and more accurately than other biopsy methods, resulting in an improved diagnosis and a more patient-friendly and cost-efficient treatment. The knowledge and unique technology of the St. Radboud is housed at Soteria.

“Soteria Medical is excited to be working with ZIF and IIG, who will help us proceed with the clinical testing of our Remote Controlled Manipulator (RCM) at St. Radboud, and to finalize the product design for the planned market launch later in 2014,” says CEO Jan Sabisch.

More information about Soteria Medical.

ZEEUWS INVESTMENT FUND INVESTS IN ILLUXTRON

1/4/2013

Leds Progress Illuxtron Zeeuws Investment Fund

Together with Javest Investment Fund, the Zeeuws Investment Fund invests in Illuxtron, a company that has developed a technology that is used in various LED fixtures. In 2012, Illuxtron launched its first products on the market and is now able to realize its ambitious growth strategy.

The Illuxtron technology ensures that the longevity of LED fixtures is substantially extended and that extra functionalities can be added to LED lighting. With the development of the LED fixtures, Illuxtron has paid much attention to the smart producing of the products. As a result, the components developed by Illuxtron can be used in many types of fixtures, while at the same time are also easy to assemble. Because of this, Illuxtron is able to deliver high-quality products, that are produced in the Netherlands, at attractive prices. Each product is labeled with a “made in Holland” sticker.

“LED lighting is increasingly being used, but installers still hesitate to apply LEDs in the business market. The main reasons for this are the poor quality of LED fixtures and the LEDs used. Illuxtron has anticipated these problems. We provide high-quality LED fixtures with good LEDs that are the same price, but have a better quality and longer life span than fixtures that are imported from Asia. Another advantage of Illuxtron is that our products can be immediately delivered from stock, so that our customers do not have to maintain own large stocks,” says founder and CEO Quinten van de Vrie. Van de Vrie says the following about the involvement of the Zeeuws Investment Fund and Javest: “Thanks to the invested capital, we can position our inventory at the right level and realize our growth strategy. However, the investors not only provide capital. Their knowledge and experience will be of great value to Illuxtron.”

Johan Sebregts of the Zeeuws Investment Fund about Illuxtron: “In Illuxtron, we have found the ideal company for our business practices. A company that is familiar with its product and the market in which it operates, as well as the necessities of maintaining a successful business. This, in combination with a product that has already proven itself since its introduction on the market, gives us full confidence that Illuxtron faces a bright future.”

Edo Jansen, shareholder of Javest Investment Fund, about the investment in Illuxtron: “Illuxtron fits our fund philosophy very well: it is a young, rapidly growing company that provides a high quality product that is internationally scalable. The company is already active in a large number of countries and supplies these countries with an interesting range of products.”

More information about Illuxtron.

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