ShanX wants to make ultra-fast diagnostics the new standard

Treating bacterial infections faster and more effectively – that is ShanX's mission. The Eindhoven-based medtech company is working on an ultra-fast diagnostic system that can determine within an hour which antibiotic is effective against a specific bacterium. In doing so, the company is tackling a pressing problem: the long waiting times associated with traditional culture tests and the global risk of antibiotic resistance.

“Our technology can save lives and help slow down antimicrobial resistance,” says co-founder and CEO Sophia Shanko. “Every day a patient has to wait for the right treatment counts.”

Personal motivation

The idea for ShanX was born in 2019, shortly before the coronavirus pandemic. For Shanko, there was an urgent reason: her mother ended up in intensive care with a serious bacterial infection. It wasn't the infection itself, but the delay in getting the right treatment that put her life in danger.

“That was when I realized how slow and inefficient the current standard in clinical microbiology is,” she says. “It has to be better—and faster.” Together with co-founder and CSO Ardjan van der Linden, she founded ShanX. The management team also includes Dr. Henk Stapert (CTO) and Dr. Alex van Belkum.

From days to minutes

ShanX's technology focuses on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST): testing the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics. Where conventional AST methods take days, ShanX's device delivers results in just one hour – without compromising on clinical depth or accuracy.

“Our system is designed for direct use in the clinic, not just in large laboratories,” says Shanko. “Doctors get the right information at lightning speed to base their treatment decisions on.”

Large market, little competition

The market in which ShanX operates is approaching €6 billion worldwide. Yet, according to the company, there are few direct competitors.

Shanko: “Most AST systems are either too slow or not practical for use in everyday practice. We offer something new: speed, clinical relevance, and seamless integration into existing workflows.”

Successes and challenges

In recent years, ShanX has raised €7.6 million—no small feat in a sector where investors are cautious due to long development cycles. Still, Shanko cites financing as the biggest hurdle so far. “It's especially difficult to find capital for diagnostic hardware in Europe.”

At the same time, the team has achieved some major successes. These include the first pre-order for hundreds of systems and the presentation of promising clinical data at ESCMID, Europe's leading microbiology conference.

“When Ardjan presented our data and the room fell silent, I felt that we had built something special,” Shanko recalls. “That was our champagne moment.”

Brainport as a springboard

The Brainport Eindhoven region played a key role in the development of ShanX. The ecosystem provided access to top technical talent, collaboration with hospitals and universities, and regional innovation subsidies.

“From TU Eindhoven to Catharina Hospital, we have seen doors open here that often remain closed elsewhere,” says Shanko.

Nevertheless, there is also room for improvement, particularly in the area of early-stage financing and the presence of specialized research centers for infectious diseases. Shanko: “Places like Cambridge or Boston have a more mature infrastructure for this.”

Global ambition

ShanX's goal is clear: their ultra-fast AST solution must become the standard in clinical guidelines worldwide. Not only in academic hospitals, but also in general practices and nursing homes.

“If, in five years, we see a world where antibiotics are prescribed based on rapid data and where resistance is falling rather than rising, then our mission will have been accomplished.”

G&A 2025

Every year, we spotlight 10 start-ups from the Brainport region. Each receives a Gerard & Anton Award.

View G&A 2025