BIOENGINEERING LABORATORIES

Their core work

Bioengineering Laboratories (BEL) is an Italian biomedical engineering SME that develops technologies at the intersection of cardiovascular medicine, patient-specific computational modelling, and biomaterials science. Their work covers simulation and design support for percutaneous and transcatheter cardiac procedures, using patient-specific imaging and tissue models to improve procedural precision. They also develop novel vascular access devices — specifically a hybrid silk fibroin/polyurethane graft aimed at replacing conventional hemodialysis access solutions. BEL operates as both a technical contributor in large research consortia and as a project leader for product-focused feasibility studies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their earliest H2020 work (2015–2018), BEL was embedded in a large MSCA-ITN consortium focused on the analytical and procedural side of cardiac care — patient-specific imaging, tissue modelling, and transcatheter intervention support. By 2018–2019, they pivoted sharply toward biomaterial product development, leading the DIALYBRID feasibility study on a hybrid silk fibroin/polyurethane vascular graft for dialysis patients. This shift — from simulation and analytical support within a consortium to leading an SME Instrument product study — suggests a deliberate move toward proprietary device development and commercialisation. The two projects together bookend a trajectory from research-support contributor to independent device developer.

BEL appears to be transitioning from computational support roles in cardiac research toward independent development of implantable vascular devices — a trajectory pointing toward product-stage medical device commercialisation rather than further consortium participation.

How they like to work

BEL has operated both as a consortium participant in a large multisectoral MSCA network (MUSICARE) and as a sole coordinator in a focused SME Instrument feasibility study (DIALYBRID). With 14 distinct partners across 4 countries in only two projects, they engage in mid-sized, internationally diverse consortia rather than small bilateral arrangements. Their willingness to take on coordination responsibility early in their H2020 history signals that they are comfortable driving a project agenda, not just delivering technical inputs.

BEL has built a network of 14 unique partners across 4 countries through just 2 projects — a dense collaboration profile for an SME of this size, suggesting active and varied consortium engagement. Their reach is European, with participation spanning multiple EU member states through both research excellence and SME innovation programmes.

What sets them apart

BEL occupies an unusual niche as a small Italian bioengineering company that combines cardiac procedure simulation expertise with biomaterial product development — two capabilities that rarely coexist within a single SME. Their MSCA-ITN participation signals academic credibility and research network access, while their SME Instrument coordination demonstrates commercial intent and independent project management capacity. For consortia seeking a technically grounded SME that can bridge cardiovascular imaging and vascular implant development, BEL is a distinctive and flexible partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MUSICARE
  BEL's largest project by far (€258,061) and the source of all their documented technical keywords — this MSCA-ITN multisectoral cardiac programme placed them within an international research network focused on percutaneous treatment and patient-specific imaging.
• DIALYBRID
  BEL's only coordinator role and their most product-focused effort — a Phase 1 SME Instrument feasibility study developing a hybrid silk fibroin/polyurethane vascular graft for hemodialysis, marking a clear push toward device commercialisation.