QT Sense, a Groningen-based quantum sensing startup, has raised €6 million in funding to expand its research and development efforts. The company is working on novel quantum sensing technology aimed at improving disease diagnostics and treatment. With a focus on single-cell analysis, QT Sense aims to offer a more detailed approach to understanding cellular activity. The funding will support further development of its first commercial product, Quantum Nuova, which will soon be implemented in clinical research.
Similar advancements in quantum sensing have been observed in recent years, with various firms exploring its medical applications. Other companies have introduced quantum-based diagnostic tools, but many have struggled with issues related to sensitivity and spatial resolution. QT Sense differentiates itself through its focus on single-cell-level detection, which could provide clinicians and researchers with more precise data on disease progression and treatment response.
How Will the Funding Support QT Sense’s Research?
The €6 million investment includes both equity funding from QDNL Participations and grant funding from Interreg Europe. QDNL Participations, a venture capital fund specializing in quantum technology, acknowledged the company’s potential in translating quantum sensing research into practical applications.
“What we noticed in the QT Sense team was the rare combination of deep quantum sensing and life sciences expertise, along with a good understanding of building and selling products. It is exceptional teams like theirs that will move quantum sensing from the lab into practical applications,” said Ton van ’t Noordende, general partner at QDNL Participations.
What Makes Quantum Nuova Different?
Quantum Nuova, QT Sense’s first commercial product, is a single-cell Nano-MRI platform designed for biomedical research. It uses nanodiamonds to interact with individual cells, measuring changes in light emissions that reflect cellular activity. This approach enables real-time monitoring of oxidative stress, which plays a role in various diseases.
“While other companies use quantum sensing principles to address healthcare challenges, their existing solutions are limited in terms of spatial resolution & sensitivity, leaving significant gaps in meeting clinical needs. QTSense’s focus on single-cell-level detection allows us to achieve much higher precision in diagnosing and understanding diseases, offering a deeper and more detailed insight into cellular activity that current technologies can’t match,” said QT Sense co-founder and CEO, Dr. Deepak H. Veeregowda.
The first units of Quantum Nuova will be delivered to the University Medical Center Groningen. There, researchers will use the technology at the Emergency and Acute Care Center for sepsis diagnostics. The ability to track cellular reactions at such a detailed level could provide new insights into how the body responds to infections and other critical conditions.
Beyond sepsis diagnostics, Quantum Nuova could contribute to personalized cancer treatment and pharmaceutical research. By analyzing individual cellular responses, the technology may help identify how different patients react to specific treatments, improving drug development and precision medicine.
Quantum-based medical technologies have seen increasing interest globally, but challenges remain in integrating these innovations into clinical practice. The high precision of QT Sense’s approach suggests potential benefits for disease research, though it will require further validation in real-world applications. The company’s ability to scale production and demonstrate clinical effectiveness will be key factors in determining its long-term success. As quantum sensing gains traction in healthcare, QT Sense’s developments will be closely watched by researchers and industry professionals.
