Biopôle is delighted to welcome Dexterous Endoscopes to the Biopôle Investment Programme (BIP). The comprehensive 24-month programme will provide both financial and strategic support as the medtech start-up prepares to move from preclinical validation towards regulatory submission and first clinical use.
Making the unreachable treatable
Dexterous Endoscopes lives up to its name: the company is developing single-use endoscopes with variable stiffness. Crucially, these endoscopes are flexible enough to navigate the body’s natural pathways, yet rigid enough to facilitate treatment once they reach their target. Dexterous’s first product, VISNEP, was specially designed for percutaneous nephrolithotomy, a procedure used to remove kidney stones. Moving forwards, it hopes to apply its innovative approach to other difficult-to-reach areas of the body, opening up new possibilities for minimally invasive procedures.
‘Endoscopy is one of the most performed procedures in the world, yet many areas of the body remain hard to reach with today’s tools,’ said co-founder Yegor Piskarev. ‘Our mission is to make the unreachable treatable.’
Dexterous has already conducted ten preclinical pilots across three countries involving 15 surgeons. As it prepares to transition to clinical use, the company’s priorities span investment, regulation and commercial strategy.
Support at a pivotal stage
Indeed, Dexterous joins the BIP at a crucial stage in its journey. With the help of the BIP, the start-up is currently targeting three key milestones: conducting porcine trials in multiple countries to reduce clinical risk, finalising the product’s regulatory pathway and validating the company’s business case with clinics.
Importantly, Biopôle’s programme – and the wider campus – offers much more than funding, as recognised by Yegor. ‘Biopôle brings together exactly what a medtech start-up at our stage needs: lab space, a strong life sciences community, and access to investors and industry partners in one place,’ he said.
We’re excited to see what lies around the corner for Dexterous Endoscopes.
