Linkcare

Linkcare, a registered European manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic tests, specializes in the detection of oncological and neurodegenerative diseases for which early diagnosis may be key to prognosis. The technology developed by the company is based on the detection of biomarkers in extracellular vesicles.

Linkcare was founded in 2010 as a spin-off of the Hospital Clínic, focusing on testing an integrated care model for the treatment of patients both inside and outside the hospital setting. They began applying this technology in newly created hospitals, with a strong presence in China, where they contributed to the deployment of five centers in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to shift the focus of their business model and specialized in in vitro diagnostic tests, an experience they now apply to the prevention of Parkinson's disease, as well as to conditions such as cancer and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Linkcare had previously participated in European projects, but always as a partner; they had never coordinated a proposal. The support from ACCIÓ/EEN was crucial in their first coordination of the 8 million euros Cluster 1 Horizon Europe proposal VAMPIRE. The help they received from EEN/ACCIÓ included: the European programs voucher, which allowed them to hire a consultant to guide and support them in preparing the proposal; the proposal review services we provided them, together with CDTI; and the legal review of the consortium agreement, which we facilitated through the law firm we collaborate with.

The company presented the VAMPIRE (Validation of α-synuclein Modifications in Parkinson’s Disorder Evolution) proposal, and it was funded with an EU contribution of 8 million euros, of which they have secured €1,619,062.50.

The consortium is composed of 12 additional European participants, with the participation of the UAB at the Catalan level, as well as two other Spanish partners. The remaining partners are spread across Italy, Romania, Greece, France, and Poland, in addition to a partner in Australia.

The objective of the project is to develop and validate an innovative in vitro diagnostic test that will allow the detection of the earliest stages of the disease, before symptoms appear. The project started on November 1, 2024, and will end on April 30, 2029.

“The support from ACCIÓ has been very important in the preparation of the proposal and in conducting all the necessary research before reaching the point of securing support from the European Union. To access funds like the one we have in the VAMPIRE project, I believe it is crucial to build strong relationships with European Union partners. It is also very important to carry out continuous research during the proposal preparation process and to dedicate the time and investment necessary to prepare the proposals” - Robert Jenkins (CEO, Linkcare)