On 11 December, researcher Carla Ferrero, from the Nanobiotechnology for Diagnosis (Nb4D) research group, was awarded by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce for the Sensyra Diagnostics project, in Phase I of the Impulsa Startup – Create and Grow programme. The project, which had already received the CSIC Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship award, aims to develop early diagnostic kits for respiratory infections in just 10 minutes. This technology is based on the detection of Quorum Sensing (QS) molecules, a bacterial intercommunication mechanism used to coordinate responses according to cell density.
The award is valued at €1,600, which will help support the creation of a spin-off to develop the diagnostic kit. “This recognition values not only the project itself, but also all the learning, effort and progress made throughout the programme,” says Carla Ferrero.
In addition, the award includes mentoring, access to an investor network and priority access to Phase II of the programme, for which Ferrero plans to apply next year.
The jury, made up of Inclimo Climate Tech Fund, SECOT, Ibercaja, BStartup (Banco Sabadell), ELISAVA and Kala Health Menopause, selected Sensyra Diagnostics as the best project among the ten presented.