MAKNEE is the winner of the first Life Science Pitching competition

The innovation of utilizes thermal, kinetic and acoustic data to detect joint disorders. The solution will enable general practitioners to diagnose disorders such as osteoarthritis for a fraction of the cost of conventional clinical imaging. The devices are easily accessible, which enables quick implementation for check-ups that are not traditionally available for patients.

The competition was set up as a collaboration between nine European universities: Aalto University, Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, University of Helsinki, University of Oslo, University of Oulu, University of Tartu, University of Turku, and Åbo Academi University.

The competition was held on 5 December, as a part of , official side event that with the focus on life science, brings together the curious scientific community and the business world. Y Science is organized by University of Helsinki, HiLIFE and Slush.

Altogether there were eight finalists in the Life Science Pitching competition, and all of them received pitching training from experienced communication specialists before the event.

“The decision was tough – all companies had their strengths. The winner offered a preventative medicine solution using an inventive technical device combined with clever use of data. Their de-risk approach that combines both animal and human trials was also compelling,” say the international jury, consisting of Laura Pontiggia from European Research Council, Michael Lütolf from Creathor Ventures, and Louis Metzger Tierra Biosciences.

Further information:

MAKNEE, Project Leader Jérôme Thevenot, ,

With a PhD in Biomedicine, Jérôme Thevenot has over 10 years of experience in research related to musculoskeletal disorders. His main focus is the development of alternative diagnostic tools to help in clinical practices.