![[Translate to English:] Gründerteam Smart4Diagnostics GmbH](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/f/csm_S4DX-Founders1_200x150_23926213d0.jpg)
EIT Health-backed Smart4Diagnostics GmbH has closed a series A financing of five million euros. The financing comes from private investors, including SARSTEDT AG & Co. KG, as well as the EIC Fund. The Munich-based company intends to use the money to expand its innovative blood collection system, which has already been launched in Germany, to other markets.
The start-up, which has since won several awards and was founded in 2018 as part of the EIT Health Wild Card program, focuses on the digitalization of pre-analytical processes of human sample collection.
Digitisation of blood collection
To this end, Smart4Diagnostics has developed the "digital fingerprint of human blood samples", from collection to arrival at the laboratory.
In contrast to manual processes of blood collection, the human samples are digitally and uniquely assigned to the patient. After sample collection, the S4DX software confirms whether all order-related tubes have been registered, checks the filling volume, the collection time and the correct label application. The software can be used in combination with all human samples. Thus, any errors can be detected and corrected immediately, which not only increases the accuracy of the data but also avoids the need for repeated patient visits.
Transport of the samples from the collection site to the laboratory is digitally tracked with high precision and temperature, vibrations and transport time are recorded. The data is automatically transferred to the laboratory information system (LIS) upon sample arrival at the laboratory.
"As many as three in four medical decisions are based on diagnostic results – often blood samples. Currently, this process is being managed manually which can lead to errors and can cause many issues including slow diagnosis, repeated tests on the patient, and wasted resources. We need to revolutionise this crucial but underdeveloped area of the healthcare value chain to bring innovation where it can have instant and substantial impact”, says Dr. Hans Maria Heyn, CEO and co-founder of S4DX.