Helia Biomonitoring: from research to industrial breakthrough

Every day, dozens of startups work on the technology of the future at the campus of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). One of them is Helia Biomonitoring, a young company that is revolutionizing the world of bioprocesses with its innovative sensor technology. Co-founder Menno Prins, professor of Molecular Biosensing at TU/e and former researcher at Philips, is on a mission with Helia Biomonitoring. That mission began with a scientific fascination: can we develop sensors that continuously measure biomolecules?

From hospital to factory floor

“At Philips, I worked on point-of-care tests,” says Prins. “You take a drop of blood to quickly see if someone has had a heart attack, for example. It’s fantastic technology, but it remains a snapshot.” That experience fueled his ambition to look further: Is it possible to develop sensors that don’t provide a snapshot, but continuously monitor biomolecules?

That idea led to new research, innovative inventions, and, ultimately, the founding of Helia Biomonitoring. Initially, the team focused on medical applications, such as continuously measuring inflammation levels or drug levels in hospital patients. Prins: "We soon realized that this process is extremely long and complex. As a startup, you want to make an impact sooner. That's why we started looking at applications in industry."

Real-time insight into complex bioprocesses

That step proved to be worth its weight in gold. In industrial processes, such as the production of food ingredients or biopharmaceutical medicines, variation is a major challenge. “Biological processes are complex and sensitive to small changes,” explains Prins. “Manufacturers, therefore, often build in over-engineering: they purify extremely well, doing everything they can to ensure quality. That costs time and money.”

Helia Biomonitoring is developing an Atline Analyzer, an innovative sensor that measures biomolecules in real time during the production process. In this way, companies can optimize their processes, increase yield, and improve productivity. One of the first concrete applications is the continuous measurement of lactoferrin, a protein found in milk that plays an essential role in the immune system. “Our sensor technology enables manufacturers to focus on quality and efficiency,” says Prins. “We are working closely with industrial partners and hope to launch our first commercial product next year.”

The road to growth and financing

The road to success was not without its bumps. “Our team explored multiple directions, from medical applications to nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Not everything worked, and that's okay. By exploring different options, we discover where we can really add value,” says Prins. “We have learned not to put all our eggs in one basket. Some applications proved unfeasible, or the road to market proved too long. It is perhaps the most important lesson for any startup: stay flexible and use failures to sharpen your compass.”

Financing is crucial for developing innovative strength. A significant boost came from the Rabo Innovation Loan, which enables Helia to finance the final development and upscaling of the Atline Analyzer. 

Michel Ziekman, startup and scale-up banker at Rabobank: “We have financed €150,000 through the Rabo Innovation Loan. No repayments are required for the first two years. This gives startups breathing space to continue building their business case. The loan allows us to help companies at a stage when banks would not normally get involved. Rabobank doesn't just want to provide financing when everyone else is doing so, but wants to be at the forefront of groundbreaking innovations in sustainability and other transitions."

Prins: “At Rabobank, they dare to look beyond the numbers. They understand the ecosystem and work together with its stakeholders. These collaborations create a strong network that brings together knowledge, financing, and trust.”

Ziekman agrees; he believes it is important to be part of the ecosystem. He consults monthly with parties such as the Brabant Startup Fund and the Brabant Development Agency (BOM); his office is located on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, and on the first Monday of each month, he works from the TU/e campus. "That's where I also came into contact with Menno [Prins, ed.]. By being part of the ecosystem, we can ensure that we bring together knowledge and expertise."

An ecosystem that works

For a startup like Helia Biomonitoring, the Brabant innovation network is a great support. “The ecosystem works well,” emphasizes Prins. “If you want to bring innovations to life, different areas of expertise must come together. Thanks to the right partners, you can switch gears quickly, stay focused, and build trust with customers and investors.”

Looking ahead: from lactoferrin to global impact

The startup is on the verge of a critical phase. A factory is currently testing the first sensor in Brabant. At the same time, the team is already looking further ahead. “Our sensor is a platform technology,” says Prins. “We will soon be able to measure other proteins and develop sensors for the production of food and biological medicines. These are markets with a major impact.”

For now, Helia Biomonitoring is focusing on Europe, but its technology should become available worldwide in the future. “Our mission is to contribute to more efficient, and smarter production processes around the world,” concludes Prins.