Helsinki’s biotech firm NADMED has successfully raised €3.5 million in a Series A funding round. Led by Nordic Science Investments (NSI), the round also saw support from existing backers like Voima Ventures, University of Helsinki Funds, and a grant from Business Finland. NADMED aims to use these funds to expand its NAD measurement technology into new markets, including the US, to enhance personalized treatments for various diseases.
NADMED’s recent funding success emphasizes a growing trend in biotech investment, particularly in technologies that promise advancements in personalized medicine and metabolic health. Over the past few years, interest in NAD and glutathione levels has surged due to their links to chronic and age-related diseases. This funding round underscores the increasing recognition of NADMED’s innovative approach in a competitive landscape heavily backed by scientific research and development.
NADMED’s testing method stands out due to its ability to efficiently measure all four NAD metabolites using fresh blood samples, offering a level of accuracy comparable to mass spectrometry but at a lower cost. This breakthrough technology, developed from research at the University of Helsinki, is designed to meet the growing demand for reliable and rapid testing from physicians and the pharmaceutical industry, addressing a crucial need in both research and clinical applications.
What does NADMED offer?
NADMED specializes in measuring nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and glutathione levels, essential molecules involved in energy production, cellular repair, and growth. Imbalances in these molecules are associated with various health conditions, including metabolic disorders, cancer, and heart diseases. Factors such as poor diet and treatment side effects can reduce NAD levels, necessitating monitoring for symptoms like fatigue and muscle weakness.
Founded in 2022, the company’s innovative testing method requires only a small blood sample and utilizes colorimetric quantification to measure NAD and glutathione forms. This efficient and cost-effective approach has gained considerable demand from both researchers and clinicians, driving NADMED to offer measuring kits for laboratories and lab services to meet this need.
Capital Utilisation
NADMED plans to deploy the raised capital to broaden its technology’s reach, particularly targeting the US and other international markets. This expansion aims to enhance personalized treatments for various diseases, leveraging the precise measurement of NAD and glutathione levels. Jari Närhi, CEO at NADMED, highlighted the importance of metabolism in future medical and biological research, likening NAD to the new DNA in personalized health.
“We are pleased and grateful for the funding from these insightful investors to spread and further develop the unique technology to measure all REDOX metabolites—something that was not possible before,” said Närhi.
Accurate testing by NADMED can significantly improve the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of various health conditions, leading to advancements in both biotechnology and medical research. The company’s method surpasses traditional techniques by offering high throughput and lower costs, making it a valuable tool for clinical labs, universities, and pharmaceutical companies.
NSI, the lead investor, supports promising startups in the Nordics and Baltics that offer disruptive technology rooted in rigorous university research. Alexandra Gylfe, founding partner at NSI, expressed confidence in NADMED’s potential to deliver substantial growth and innovation in the field of metabolic health.
“For investors, the company’s diverse target market not only provides robust risk mitigation but also presents exciting growth opportunities across multiple sectors,” Gylfe stated.
NADMED’s technology, with its unique capability to measure NAD metabolites individually and cost-effectively, could revolutionize the way metabolic disorders are diagnosed and treated. This advancement promises to enhance global health outcomes by enabling more personalized and precise therapeutics.
