Xeltis Secures €10 Million Investment to Transform Vascular Surgery with Groundbreaking Technology

Xeltis Achieves Major Milestone with €10 Million Investment Approval

Xeltis, an innovative company specializing in the development of next-generation implants, recently made headlines by successfully passing the evaluation phase of the European Innovation Council's (EIC) 2025 STEP Scale-Up call. This achievement paves the way for the company to secure a substantial equity investment amounting to €10 million, pending further review by the European Commission and the EIC Fund Investment Committee.

The STEP Scale-Up initiative is strategically designed to propel high-potential companies in sectors like digital technology, clean technology, and biotechnology, thereby boosting the European Union's economy and its technological capabilities. Equity investments within this program range from €10 million to €30 million, which aim for larger funding rounds between €30 million and €150 million. Such funding opportunities are crucial for companies like Xeltis, which are set to revolutionize their respective industries with pioneering technologies.

Xeltis stands out as one of only seven companies awarded this funding and is the sole life science entity within this esteemed group. The selection process was rigorous, requiring participants to exhibit exceptional innovation, technological prowess, and the capacity to create substantial societal, market, and economic impacts. In addition to financial support, Xeltis will be granted the STEP Seal, which facilitates access to complementary funding sources and EIC Business Acceleration Services.

This funding will primarily be utilized to advance the clinical development and commercial preparation of Xeltis's pioneering bioresorbable vascular conduits. These conduits are specifically designed to transform the landscape of vascular surgery and have significant implications for patients requiring long-term vascular access solutions.

Eliane Schutte, the CEO of Xeltis, expressed the magnitude of this achievement, stating, "Being selected as the only life science company in this cohort of leading EU technology firms is a remarkable honor. Our technology, which is rooted in Nobel-Prize-winning supramolecular chemistry, presents a critical opportunity to advance vascular surgery. Moreover, it offers a PFAS-free solution in a field stymied by a lack of innovation that ultimately affects patient outcomes."

On the financial front, CFO Alexander Goemans highlighted the timing of this crucial milestone, noting that as the EU pivotal trial results approach, the prestigious EIC award will facilitate the commercialization of aXess, the company's regenerative vascular access conduit for dialysis patients. He remarked, "This recognition validates our revolutionary technology's potential and reinforces our ability to successfully launch this first-in-class product to market."

aXess is particularly notable for its ability to foster the formation of new, sustainable living vessels dedicated to hemodialysis vascular access. By combining the reliability of a fistula with the quick access attributed to AV grafts, aXess addresses the frequent complications and surgical interventions typically associated with current treatment methods. Currently, Xeltis is conducting pivotal trials for aXess not only in the EU—where patient enrollment has recently concluded—but also in the United States.

As Xeltis progresses, it remains focused on its overarching mission to offer transformative implants that enable the natural regeneration of living and durable vascular structures. This initiative aims to address the pressing limitations of existing grafts and cardiovascular replacements necessary for countless individuals requiring surgical interventions annually. Through its proprietary endogenous tissue restoration (ETR) platform, Xeltis’s approach employs advanced polymer implants that promote the patient’s tissue regeneration while the implant gradually dissolves, leaving behind functioning new vessels.

With its headquarters located in both The Netherlands and the USA, Xeltis is backed by a strong consortium of investors, including DaVita Venture Group, EQT Life Sciences, and the European Innovation Council. As the company continues to innovate and expand its offerings, it holds promises to address significant challenges in the vascular and cardiovascular diseases sector.

To learn more about Xeltis and its groundbreaking developments, visit Xeltis' official website.