The Danish company Ropca won third place at last year's MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION with the first ultrasound robot to bear a CE mark. Ropca automates the process of ultrasound imaging and image assessment: The platform `ARTHUR' - a robotic arm - and the artificial intelligence product `DIANA' help to meet the growing challenge of an increasing number of people with rheumatoid arthritis, hospital costs and the shortage of specialists. Johannes Schäeferhoff, CEO of Ropca, reported that the company had good experiences with MEDICA even before applying to the competition. In 2022, the company (founded in 2019) won the KUKA award for medical innovation and attracted particular attention from the trade fair audience. After the big on-stage pitch final as part of MEDICA 2023, Johannes Schäeferhoff can now report a recent successful round of investor funding and its outcome: “We are all about internationalization now.” The system is primarily intended for large medical centers such as university hospitals and has the potential to reduce waiting times for rheumatology appointments. In Germany, the company plans to test screening with Ropca in several cities, and the list of appropriate indications could also be expanded. “We will be approved for osteoarthritis in the near future”, Johannes Schäeferhoff is certain.

Solutions for the "Internet of Medical Things"


The HEALTHCARE INNOVATION WORLD CUP highlights the next generation of smart health devices, medical wearables, digital biomarkers, electroceuticals, smart plasters and more. First place at the MEDICA pitch in 2023 went to DiaMonTech with a blood glucose measurement system without needles. “As of today, there is no other device that performs this measurement with an equal level of precision”, said Thorsten Lubinski, CEO of the Berlin start-up. Instead of a needle, a beam of light is directed onto the skin. This light almost exclusively heats the glucose molecules in the skin. The warming is so slight that it cannot be felt, but it can be measured. The device calculates the blood glucose value from this heat development. After their win in Düsseldorf, the company saw further success, concluding a round of funding amounting to millions of euros. The funds raised will be used to further refine the prototype of the D-Pocket handheld device, to conduct important clinical trials and accelerate market entry in the U.S. and the EU.

Applications for (free) participation in this year’s MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION and HEALTHCARE INNOVATION WORLD CUP are now open. For more information on the terms and conditions of participation and the link to register, as well as up-to-date information on the MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM: https://www.medica-tradefair.com/mif2.

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