MiMARK Diagnostics, spin-off of the Vall d'Hebron Instituto de Investigación (VHIR), has raised 1 million euros to accelerate the development of its in vitro test for endometrial cancer, the most common gynecological tumor in developed countries, with 6,700 new cases annually in Spain. The round has been led by Clave Capital, Nara Capital, and Namarel Ventures. The WA4Steam angel investor network has also participated.
"This investment marks the beginning of a new stage for the company," explains Marina Rigau, CEO and co-founder of MiMARK Diagnostics, a company whose objective is to improve women's health through the development of tests for gynecological disorders. The resources obtained in the round must also serve the startup, based in the Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), to begin its development plan for a test for endometriosis, another pathology with a currently long and complex diagnosis.
The test developed by MiMARK Diagnostics for endometrial cancer is less invasive than the biopsy currently performed on patients with suspected cancer, as well as being more precise and faster, emphasizes Antonio Gil-Moreno, co-founder of MiMARK and head of the Biomedical Research in Gynecology group at VHIR. The startup is based on the analysis of proteins extracted from a sample of uterine aspirate. Endometrial cancer is detected in patients who present abnormal vaginal bleeding, although only 1 in 10 have the tumor.
MiMARK Diagnostics is one of the 11 emerging companies that became part of the BCN Health Booster accelerator, promoted by the PCB and the Barcelona City Council. To date, it has received a total of 2.4 million euros in public funding, from institutions such as EIT Health and CDTI.