LyoReg | Lyophilised human platelet lysate from platelet concentrates for use in cell biology research and musculoskeletal regeneration (Greifswald)

Serum products have a wide range of applications as additives for cell culture media, e.g. for regenerative therapies or drug development. For decades, foetal calf serum has been widely used, although it has considerable disadvantages. Platelets contain proteins and important growth factors for cell proliferation. Platelet concentrates (PC) from blood donors have a short shelf life of four days for patient use, with 15 per cent being discarded. Using the winning team's expertise in blood donation and orthopaedic research at Greifswald University Hospital, freeze-dried human platelet lysate (L-HPL) from expired PCs is being developed as a sustainable, resource-efficient, ethically safe and easy-to-use cell media additive. Lyophilisation (also known as ‘freeze-drying’) reduces storage and transport costs, ensures a stable, reliable formulation and extends shelf life. The aim of the winning team is to further develop L-HPL into an authorised drug for manufacturers of cell-based therapies and as a drug in regenerative medicine.

BREATHScreen | Smartphone-based diagnostic platform for detecting early signs of heart and lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, heart failure and pulmonary fibrosis (Tallinn)

Eupnoos is a smartphone-based diagnostic platform that uses AI to analyse breath sounds for early signs of heart and lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, heart failure and pulmonary fibrosis. By simply exhaling into a telephone microphone, patients record audio data that Eupnoos processes to identify potential abnormalities before symptoms become severe. Thanks to this approach, the tests can be carried out anywhere. No specialised equipment is required and no additional hardware or accessories are needed. This helps doctors to make an earlier diagnosis and adjust treatment more quickly. Through regular check-ins at home, Eupnoos monitors changes in lung function and highlights worrying trends so that healthcare providers can intervene early. The result: fewer costly hospitalisations, more efficient use of resources and better long-term outcomes for patients at risk of serious cardiopulmonary disease.

Neurosalience | Instrument for the early detection of dementia using MRI data (Tallinn)

In 2030, there will be 75 million dementia patients. It is estimated that 60 per cent of dementia cases will not be diagnosed. Existing screening and early diagnosis methods lack speed and accuracy. They are not automated enough. ‘Neurosalience’ is developing a tool for the early detection of dementia using MRI scans. The product is able to process even low-resolution MRI data. This is possible because the tool is based on innovative machine learning algorithms. It recognises people with dementia, identifies brain regions that are most affected by ageing and outputs the stage and type of dementia. The algorithms are currently being used at the University of Warwick in England and are being introduced in two hospitals.