SensApp · Project

Blood Test Replaces Spinal Tap for Early Alzheimer's Detection

healthPrototypeTRL 4

Right now, if doctors suspect Alzheimer's, they often need spinal fluid — which means a painful lumbar puncture in a hospital. That's because the tell-tale proteins in blood are so scarce that current lab equipment simply can't pick them up. SensApp built a bench-top device that concentrates those tiny protein traces from a regular blood sample into an ultra-small spot, making them detectable for the first time. Think of it like evaporating a swimming pool down to a single glass so you can finally taste what's dissolved in it.

By the numbers

consortium partners

countries involved (AT, BE, FI, IT)

demo prototypes delivered

total project deliverables

sub-microlitre

sample volumes achieved by droplet split-and-stack

The business problem

What needed solving

Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease early currently requires collecting cerebrospinal fluid through a lumbar puncture — an invasive, expensive hospital procedure that discourages screening. Blood-based testing would be far simpler, but current immunoassay techniques like ELISA cannot detect the disease biomarkers in blood because their concentration is too low. This leaves millions of patients without access to early, non-invasive diagnosis.

The solution

What was built

The project built a bench-top super-sensor using a droplet split-and-stack (DSS) approach: 3 demo prototypes including the sensor layers, automated climate chamber and liquid handling modules, and a fully integrated calibration and testing system. The device concentrates biomarkers from plasma into sub-microlitre volumes and uses micro-optical fluorescence detection to read the result.

Audience

Who needs this

IVD companies developing next-generation immunoassay platformsLab equipment manufacturers building automated bench-top analyzersPharmaceutical companies running Alzheimer's clinical trials needing better patient screeningPoint-of-care diagnostics companies seeking ultra-sensitive detection technologyNeurology clinic networks looking for non-invasive Alzheimer's screening tools

Business applications

Who can put this to work

In-vitro diagnostics (IVD)

mid-size

Target: IVD companies developing immunoassay platforms

If you are a diagnostics manufacturer struggling to push your immunoassay sensitivity below current limits — this project developed a droplet split-and-stack method that concentrates biomarkers from plasma into sub-microlitre volumes before the immunoreaction. The integrated system has been prototyped and tested with 3 demo modules (optical, climate chamber, liquid handling). Licensing or co-developing this technology could open up blood-based Alzheimer's screening as a new product line.

Clinical laboratory equipment

enterprise

Target: Lab automation companies building bench-top analyzers

If you are a lab equipment company looking for the next generation of automated bench-top analyzers — SensApp built a fully integrated prototype combining microfluidics, pyroelectric droplet handling, and micro-optical fluorescence detection. The system was designed to be cost-effective and automated for routine clinical use. With 6 consortium partners across 4 countries having validated the approach, you could integrate this into your existing analyzer product range.

Pharmaceutical R&D

enterprise

Target: Pharma companies running Alzheimer's drug trials

If you are a pharma company running Alzheimer's clinical trials and losing patients because screening requires a lumbar puncture — this technology enables biomarker detection from a simple blood draw. Replacing invasive cerebrospinal fluid collection with plasma-based testing could dramatically improve patient recruitment and reduce per-patient screening costs. The prototype detects low-abundant biomarkers that current ELISA methods miss entirely.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt or license this technology?

The EU contribution amount is not available in the dataset, so specific development costs cannot be quoted. The project objective states the super-sensor is designed to be 'cost-effective' for routine clinical practice. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with the coordinator, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Italy.

Can this scale to high-throughput clinical lab volumes?

The project built a bench-top system designed for routine clinical practice, with automated liquid handling and climate chamber modules. However, as a research project with 3 demo prototypes, it has not yet been validated at high-throughput production scale. Further engineering would be needed to move from prototype to a certified clinical product.

Who owns the IP and how can I license it?

The IP is held by the 6-partner consortium led by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy). The consortium includes 1 industrial partner and 1 SME who may hold specific component patents. Licensing discussions should be initiated through the coordinator.

What regulatory approvals would be needed?

As a diagnostic device for clinical use, this would require CE-IVD marking under the EU In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR 2017/746) and FDA 510(k) or De Novo clearance for the US market. The project focused on technology development, so regulatory validation and clinical trials remain ahead.

How long before this could be a commercial product?

The project ended in June 2022 with integrated prototypes for calibration and testing. Based on available project data, the technology reached early prototype stage. Reaching market would likely require further development, clinical validation, and regulatory certification — typical timelines for IVD devices from this stage.

Can this detect biomarkers beyond Alzheimer's?

The objective explicitly states SensApp will 'lay the foundations for all clinical studies where the detection of low abundant biomarkers is of vital importance.' The droplet split-and-stack technique is a platform approach applicable to any immunoassay where biomarker concentration falls below current detection limits.

What technical support is available from the consortium?

The consortium of 6 partners across 4 countries (AT, BE, FI, IT) includes 3 research organizations, 2 universities, and 1 industrial partner. The coordinator is Italy's National Research Council, one of Europe's largest public research bodies. Based on available project data, the team covers microfluidics, nano-optics, photonics, and biosensor expertise.

Consortium

Who built it

The SensApp consortium brings together 6 partners from 4 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Italy), with a research-heavy composition: 3 research organizations and 2 universities alongside 1 industrial partner (which is the sole SME). The coordinator, Italy's Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, is one of Europe's largest public research bodies. With only 17% industry participation, this is clearly a science-driven project. For a business looking to commercialize this technology, the low industry representation means you would likely be among the first commercial partners — which could mean favorable licensing terms, but also means more engineering work remains to bring it to market.

CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHECoordinator · IT
GINOLIS OYparticipant · FI
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYparticipant · FI
VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSELparticipant · BE
UNIVERSITAT LINZparticipant · AT

How to reach the team

Coordinator is Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Italy — SciTransfer can facilitate an introduction to the project lead.

Order a report on this consortium See CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing the SensApp droplet split-and-stack platform for your diagnostic products? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the project coordinator and help structure the conversation. Contact us for a one-page technology brief.

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