Longevity is a central topic for CSS, as it directly touches upon the challenges facing our healthcare system, particularly in terms of balancing increased life expectancy with quality of life. The FoHG annual meeting, opened by Bernard Rüeger, Chairman of the CSS Board of Directors, was an opportunity to explore the scientific advances and innovations aimed at extending not only lifespan, but also the period during which we remain in good health (healthspan). The round-table discussion, featuring, among others, Philomena Colatrella, CEO of CSS, and Patrick Aebischer, former President of EPFL, addressed innovations and new investment opportunities in this field. For CSS, understanding and anticipating these developments is essential to keeping healthcare costs under control, while guaranteeing greater well-being for all.
In the last year, the FoHG programme continued to gather momentum, with the arrival of new strategic partners (CSEM, Elca, MedKap, Réseau Delta) and a growing reputation as the number of applications set a new high, reaching 213 for this edition.
8 new startups join the program
The 8 new startups were selected on August 27th in the presence of the programme’s cofounders, CSS and the EPFL Innovation Park. The FoHG received a record-breaking number of applications in response to its 5th call for projects. These included submissions from around 100 international startups, demonstrating the programme’s growing reputation abroad.
Level 1:
- Digehealth (Zurich) offers a 24/7 monitoring device for bowel obstruction. The tool includes a wearable device that collects vital data, a mobile app, and a dashboard using AI to detect obstructions early.
- Diabète, Même Pas Peur (Lausanne) is a platform offering customizable AI-driven training programs for managing children with type 1 diabetes. The tool enables quick and secure sharing of professionally validated training videos to effectively enhance caregivers' skills.
- StudentsPool (Lausanne) is an online platform connecting students with healthcare institutions for short-term work assignments. The startup fills a market gap by offering new opportunities for students and a pool of candidates for institutions.
Level 2:
- Bonescreen (Munich) enhances bone disease care by developing SpineQ, an AI-based software that uses existing CT scans for proactive bone health screening. It integrates seamlessly into existing medical systems to establish a new standard in osteoporosis screening.
- DeepPSY (Zurich) provides AI-enhanced EEG and ECG analyses to help psychiatrists deliver optimal treatment to each patient. It is the first psychiatric solution based on EEG/ECG approved in Europe and Switzerland.
- Enhance-d (Bern) is a digital hub for diabetes self-management that integrates vital data such as glucose levels and insulin usage into an app. Enhance-d offers users a space to share their successes, receive support, and get feedback from their doctors.
Level 3:
- Precisia Care (Lausanne) has developed an AI-powered platform that optimizes healthcare operations and personalizes patient care. It is currently in the pilot phase with promising results in major Swiss hospitals.
- Zoundream (Basel) uses AI and sound recognition to interpret and translate newborns' cries. In addition to strengthening the bond between the child and parents and reducing their anxiety, the tool enables newborn health monitoring by professionals and the early identification of pathologies.
(Press release)
Picture: fotolia / Vasyl