sThesis, together with its partners Helmholtz Munich, TUM University Hospital Rechts der Isar and LMU Hospital Munich, successfully competed in a Europe-wide competition organized by the German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation (SPRIND). A total of 68 teams applied. Under the project title ‘Non-invasive Continuous Endocrine Phenotyping’, the Munich team is developing a non-invasive technology designed to continuously monitor hormones in everyday life. The non-dilutive funding will support further technical development of the platform.
Hormone levels are currently measured primarily through individual blood or urine samples. Continuous monitoring sensors, by contrast, could provide a more accurate picture of hormonal fluctuations throughout the day and menstrual cycle, as well as responses to factors such as stress, sleep and nutrition. This could contribute to the earlier detection of diseases. The aim of the SPRIND Challenge is to develop biosensors capable of continuously measuring at least four hormones over a seven-day period. Potential biological samples include sweat, saliva and interstitial fluid. In the longer term, the resulting data could open up new opportunities for diagnostics, precision medicine and AI-driven analysis.
The Challenge consists of three funding stages. During the first twelve-month phase, starting in July 2026, the eight selected teams can each receive up to EUR 1.5 million and advance their technologies to a validated proof of concept. A jury will then decide which projects progress to the second stage, which provides up to EUR 2 million per project. In the third stage, up to four teams may each receive an additional EUR 2.5 million.
sThesis GmbH is a spin-out of Helmholtz Munich. Ascenion, long-standing technology transfer partner of Helmholtz Munich, is a shareholder in the company.
Further information:SPRIND website
