Xyall, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, has won a series A seed investment of €5 million from investment partners Sioux Technologies, BOM Brabant Ventures, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, and other private investors.
The investment is to fast-track the development, manufacture, and commercialization of a fully automated, high-precision tumor tissue dissection solution for global molecular pathology laboratories.
Guido du Pree, Xyall.
Tissue dissection remains a labor-intensive process that is prone to subjective analysis and at risk of error and cross-contamination. In addition, there is a worldwide shortage of laboratory technicians, placing workflow and sample handling pressures on clinical labs.
Xyall aims to transform the way laboratories carry out dissection by delivering higher precision, speed, and sensitivity in whole-slide imaging, registration, and workflow optimization, in combination with high-precision robotic solutions. Several US and European hospital laboratories are engaged in a trial of the prototype of Xyall’s new automated system.
“Molecular diagnostic tests provide key clinical information to physicians to enable them to target the most appropriate treatment based on a patient’s individual biology,” says Guido du Pree, CEO of Xyall. “This is especially vital when testing for cancer. Clinicians and lab scientists are calling for faster and more accurate tissue dissection solutions to help them deliver precision medicine. They also want an automated system which makes the most efficient use of existing staffing levels.”
In current practice, the pathologists typically use a pen to mark regions of interest on hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides. Using visual assessment, lab technicians then translate the regions of interest into dissection slides, manually scraping the tissue and placing it in small containers.
“When we were active in the digital pathology space, customers were constantly asking if we could also automate the tissue dissection process,” says du Pree. “With the combined expertise of our strategic partners and investors, we are convinced we are creating a unique solution in both our software and benchtop device.”
“The future of the medtech market is promising,” says Arnoud de Geus, director of new business development at Sioux Technologies. “Innovations in the medical field will have a major impact on our future healthcare. Digital transformation, the use of robotics, remote care, personalized care, prevention, prediction, and early treatment are trends in which the high-tech sector has the opportunity to make the difference. We are proud that we can support companies like Xyall to play a significant role in bringing this about.”
“Xyall is developing a technology which can help molecular pathology laboratories to improve operations and increase capacity,” says Jeroen Siemes, senior medtech investment manager at BOM Brabant Ventures. “In the healthcare domain, BOM has a proactive focus on companies with the potential to have a significant impact on society. We recognize that there is a growing demand for molecular diagnostic testing, but laboratories face challenges to meet this demand. Xyall’s innovative solution offers laboratories a way they can meet the ever-increasing ask.”
For more information, visit Xyall.
