Project description
Disruptive technology predicts preterm birth
A birth is considered premature or preterm when delivery takes place before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm birth is associated with various chronic disabilities and an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The EU-funded Fine Birth project has developed an ultrasound-based technology that monitors mechanical activity in the cervix and can predict the risk of preterm birth. The sensitivity and accuracy of the technology are expected to reduce the large number of annual premature births, their impact on both babies and parents as well as the associated economic burden.
Objective
Context
Preterm Birth (PTB) is the birth of a baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Problem
Preterm Delivery
- Leading cause of death in children under 5 years
- Affects more than 15 million births a year
- Preterm rates are increasing, particularly for extremely preterm birth (less than 28 weeks)
- Many survivors face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems.
- Immediate costs of a PTB are on average 10 (31-34 weeks) to 100 (25-27 weeks) times more than a full-term one.
The total cost of PTB in the US was estimated at $26 billion.
There are currently no tools that accurately diagnose and predict PreTerm Birth
Solution – Fine Birth
Fine Birth is an in-vivo diagnostic technology that uses torsional ultrasound to study the shear mechanical properties of the
cervix tissue. We can accurately identify if and when a baby will be born prematurely and also quickly and cost effectively identify if a PTB is imminent.
By improving the sensitivity of current techniques from 30% to 70%, we can decrease the number of Preterm Birth cases and reduce their impact on patients and health systems.
Fine Birth could avoid 369,000 Premature Births and save more than 22,000M € only in USA & Europe by accurately predicting PTB, while saving 800M€ in identifying imminent PTBs.
Project
We aim to use the feasibility study to test our business model. Furthermore, we aim to hold conversations with different players along the value chain and generate interest.
During the phase 2 we aim to clinically validate and certify a POC device and prepare it for sublicensing.
Impact & Market
By 2024, we aim for Fine Birth to be integrated in 7.5% of the diagnostics ultrasound devices for Obstetrics/ Gynaecology market with sales of 3,115 units, generating sales of 9.3€M and an IRR of 65% based on a total investment of 2€M.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
- engineering and technologymedical engineeringmedical laboratory technologydiagnostic technologies
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineobstetricschildbirth
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologycervical cancer
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinegynaecology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsultrasound
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
48013 Bilbao
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.