Barcelona, January 28, 2025 – Tirecat Health, a spin-off of the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), is transforming regenerative medicine thanks to its innovative bioinspired adhesive membrane technology.

The Problems Tirecat Solves

Many regenerative therapies suffer from high infection rates. “In conditions such as diabetic foot, chronic wounds, or burns that require long-term regenerative therapies, there is a significant problem with infection rates that compromise patients and increase healthcare costs,” says Alex Cánovas, CEO of the company. “Tirecat Health has developed an innovative technology that combines tissue regeneration with an antimicrobial effect.”

In Spain, thousands of amputations are performed on patients with diabetic foot ulcers, which is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations due to the difficulty of regenerating ulcers and their extremely high infection rates. This type of chronic disease directly impacts the lives of tens of thousands of patients in the country and contributes to the burden on the healthcare system. 

Born at ICN2

This young company, founded at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), emerged from the development of an innovative bioinspired technology led by researcher Salvio Suárez, from the Nanoestructured Functional Materials group, and co-founder of the spin-off. The company is the result of multidisciplinary work combining physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering to explore and develop applications based on nanomaterials and nanometric-scale structures with the goal to bring to market an advanced family of polymers designed to accelerate tissue regeneration and prevent infections.

“Being part of the development of this bioinspired technology from the beginning and now its transfer highlights the value of the work carried out in recent years. We are thrilled about the possibility of its clinical application in the near future,” says Salvio Suárez, CTO of the company.

By being based at ICN2, Tirecat benefits from the support of a world-class international technology center and its laboratories. At the same time, collaboration is fostered with international institutions, technology companies, and hospitals. ICN2 acts as a bridge between fundamental research and technology transfer, which, combined with private investment, aims to generate impact in a knowledge-driven society.

The Company’s First Product

The company’s first product set to enter clinical phases is a tissue-adhesive material that is biocompatible, serves as a cellular substrate, prevents infections, and functions as a long-lasting implant. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that it significantly accelerates regeneration, up to 40% faster than conventional therapies.

Round Highlights

Grow Venture Partners has invested 170,000 € to help Tirecat develop its product and strengthen its team. Additionally, ICN2 has received support from CaixaImpulse, which, through a research project led by Salvio Suárez, will further develop the technology to bring ongoing research closer to the market.

According to Grow Venture Partners: “We believe the Tirecat team has exceptional talent, motivation, and proven technological capabilities. After years of research, they have developed a solution that represents a breakthrough in tissue regeneration and offers hope for shortening recovery periods, improving and transforming the lives of many people,” says Francisco Badia, founding partner of Grow Venture Partners.

“This is a project we’ve seen from its inception. We not only provided funding but also helped structure the project, build the team, and mentor the researchers as they transitioned to the business world. Tirecat now has the potential to scale internationally,” adds Badia.

About Grow Venture Partners

Grow Venture Partners is a venture capital fund specializing in technology transfer, investing in early-stage companies emerging from universities and research centers, primarily in the DeepTech, MedTech, and Sustainability sectors. Their diverse and committed team works with a service-oriented mindset to develop better founders and create sustainable wealth and employment with a positive impact on the world.

About ICN2

The Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), based in Barcelona, is a research center of excellence that drives the development of nanoscience-based technologies. Its work focuses on fields such as health, energy, and advanced materials, promoting the transfer of knowledge to the market through collaborations and the creation of spin-offs. Linked to the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and the Government of Catalonia, ICN2 is an international leader in interdisciplinary innovation. Additionally, it fosters the training of specialized talent in nanotechnology.

About CaixaImpulse

The CaixaImpulse Health Innovation program, driven by the “la Caixa” Foundation, aims to accelerate the transfer of knowledge and innovation from research to the market. This program is designed to support scientific projects with societal impact potential, particularly in the health field, by providing financial resources, mentorship, and guidance to transform them into practical solutions such as products, technologies, or services.