Following the break, join us in the Havana Room as MedTech founders share their innovations and entrepreneurial journeys, spanning therapeutic robotics, micro 3D printing for medical devices, and other frontier technologies shaping the future of care.

Startups include:

• Certis Therapeutics SAS (Univ of Bordeaux)
  Developing MRI-guided, minimally invasive therapies for treating cardiac diseases, cancers, and neurological disorders, building on research from IHU Liryc in Bordeaux.
  
  
• Vesica AI (Univ of Tsukuba)
  Vesica AI is a med-tech startup based in San Diego and Tsukuba, developing AI-powered clinical support software for bladder cancer detection via cystoscopy. Its real-time system assists urologists in identifying lesions often missed during exams. By advancing diagnostic precision and consistency, Vesica AI aims to transform cystoscopy and improve outcomes for bladder cancer patients worldwide.
  
  
• WeiAn MedTech (National Cheng Kung Univ)
  Developing a closed-loop, home-care neuro-health platform that combines high-definition transcranial electrical stimulation (HD-tES) with real-time brain activity monitoring using fNIRS to support personalized treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders.
  
  
• VentEase Inc (Univ of Tsukuba)
  VentEase is a MedTech startup developing an innovative diaphragmatic pacing device for patients at high risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation after major cardiac surgery (median sternotomy). Our unique device simultaneously performs pleural drainage and phrenic nerve stimulation, accelerating weaning from ventilators and reducing the risk of complications. It can be placed using the same technique as standard drains, providing safe and minimally invasive respiratory support without disrupting existing ICU workflows.
  
  
• PARO Robots (Univ of Tsukuba)
  A baby seal robot, PARO, is a biofeedback medical device in Class 2 by the FDA. After accumulated clinical evidence, there are some CPT codes for "biofeedback therapy with PARO" for patients with dementia, cancer, PTSD, brain injury, Parkinson's disease, developmental disorders, etc. when they are diagnosed as pain, depression, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, etc. The costs of treatments can be reimbursed by "Medicare and Medicaid" and private medical insurance. PARO is also effective for patients with "delirium."
  
  
• AVIONOVA (Ohio State Univ)
  Developing drug-free, earbud-based vestibular technology that uses targeted bilateral cooling to stabilize the inner ear in real time, helping treat motion sickness and vertigo while supporting safety and performance in high-motion environments.
  
  
• iLAC Co.,Ltd. (Univ of Tsukuba)
  iLAC, a startup from University of Tsukuba, excels in advanced genome analysis. Collaborating with Unicharm on the FemTech project "Sofy FemScan," iLAC leverages its cutting-edge genetic testing technology to analyze biological data from menstrual blood. This innovative service enables early detection of cervical cancer risks like HPV from home. By combining advanced science with daily comfort, iLAC empowers women's health, showcasing its strength in social well-being biotechnology.
  
  
• University of Tsukuba, AMED project S1 (Univ of Tsukuba)
  Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is an advanced radiotherapy that treats refractory cancer by destroying at cell-level. Tsukuba-type BNCT system is unique in that it has a single, short irradiation period and reduced radiation exposure by low radioactivation feature. This project takes advantage of this superior feature to develop a therapy for tumors deeper than 2-3/8 inches from the body surface by diverse irradiation methods such as multi direction irradiation.
  
  
• Fabs3D AI (Al-Farabi Kazakh National Univ)
  Developing AI-driven 3D modeling technologies that transform medical and visual data into structured, analyzable models for applications in medical imaging, facial analysis, predictive medicine, and scientific visualization.
  
  
• PicoShape (RU Bochum)
  Developing a high precision 2PP 3D printing system that uses compact, low-cost diode lasers to produce sub-200 nm microstructures with significantly higher throughput for applications in microfluidics, micro-optics, quantum technology, and medical technology.
  
  
• Ostic Pharma Pvt Ltd (IIT Bombay)
  Developing affordable in vitro diagnostic kits and point-of-care solutions, including rapid, molecular, and CRISPR-based tools, to make disease detection more accessible.