Located in Utrecht, the startup Vitestro has secured a substantial €20 million investment to advance the commercial availability of its innovative robotic device designed for blood sampling.
Since its inception in 2017, Vitestro has been on a mission to transform the experience of blood collection for patients while also providing a solution to the shortage of skilled lab professionals in the healthcare sector—a field experiencing rapid growth in workforce demand.
The company’s cutting-edge device utilizes infrared technology to pinpoint veins and ultrasound to generate detailed imagery of blood vessels. An AI-driven robotic needle then executes the blood draw with remarkable precision, down to the submillimeter.
Beginning in 2023, Vitestro has embarked on the largest clinical trial globally for autonomous blood collection devices. This trial is conducted in partnership with various hospitals and medical centers across the Netherlands.
Upon the trial’s conclusion, Vitestro anticipates receiving the European Union’s certification for their device within the same year, paving the way for its deployment to numerous hospitals and labs that have preordered the device.
The newly acquired funds will accelerate the company’s path to market introduction in Europe, foster its expansion into the US market, facilitate the growth of its team, and support the development of new features for the product.
The funding round saw participation from both returning and new investors, including Sonder Capita, NYBC Ventures, Invest-NL, and the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund).
“Our technology signifies a significant advancement in the realm of healthcare innovation,” stated Brian Joseph, the commercial director and co-founder of Vitestro.
Robotics has become increasingly critical in healthcare, revolutionizing sectors such as surgery and rehabilitation. Although the autonomous blood drawing sector remains relatively unexplored, it holds tremendous potential for the future of healthcare services.
