LIFETEC GROUP BV

Their core work

LifeTec Group is an Eindhoven-based SME specializing in ex-vivo tissue testing, organ simulation, and preclinical validation platforms for medical devices and surgical procedures. They provide physical and computational models of human organs — particularly the heart, bones, and cartilage — enabling medical device companies and researchers to test implants, train surgeons, and validate therapies before clinical trials. Their work spans from cardiovascular simulation manikins and artificial placenta prototypes to in-vitro drug screening platforms using microfluidics and bioprinting.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015-2018), LifeTec focused on cardiovascular modelling — patient-specific imaging, transcatheter procedure simulation, and computational biomedicine using high-performance computing. From 2019 onward, their scope broadened significantly into musculoskeletal tissue engineering (bone healing, cartilage, biomaterials), perinatal life support technology, and organ-on-chip drug screening. The shift suggests a company moving from a narrow cardiovascular niche toward becoming a broader preclinical testing and simulation platform across multiple organ systems.

LifeTec is expanding from heart-focused simulation into a multi-organ preclinical platform company, adding drug screening and life support systems — positioning themselves as a one-stop partner for medical device and pharma validation.

How they like to work

LifeTec operates exclusively as a participant, never leading consortia — consistent with an SME contributing specialized testing infrastructure and know-how rather than managing large projects. With 81 unique partners across 15 countries, they are a well-connected specialist that different consortia recruit for their specific organ modelling and simulation capabilities. Their heavy involvement in MSCA training networks (5 of 8 projects) shows they also play a role in training the next generation of biomedical engineers alongside their technical contributions.

Extensive European network of 81 unique partners spanning 15 countries, built through participation in large training networks and research consortia. Their Eindhoven base places them in the heart of the Dutch medical technology ecosystem, with strong connections to computational biomedicine and medical device development communities across Europe.

What sets them apart

LifeTec occupies a rare niche at the intersection of physical ex-vivo organ testing and computational simulation — most competitors do one or the other, not both. As an SME with hands-on tissue handling expertise and simulation capabilities across cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and perinatal organ systems, they offer consortium partners something universities and large companies typically cannot: fast, flexible preclinical validation without the overhead. Their Eindhoven location in the Brainport ecosystem gives them direct access to the Netherlands' dense medtech cluster.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PLS
  Largest single grant (EUR 451,875) and most ambitious scope — developing an artificial placenta and perinatal life support system for extremely premature babies, combining simulation, liquid ventilation, and vitals monitoring.
• SAFE-CAB
  Their only Innovation Action (IA) project, closest to market — developing a laser-assisted surgical system and training platform for minimally invasive cardiac bypass, including clinical trials.
• SINERGIA
  Represents their newest direction — organ-on-chip drug screening using microfluidics and bioprinting, signaling a move into pharmaceutical preclinical testing.