I am a founding partner of "Hydrumedical S.A.," a company dedicated to the development of medical devices. Established in May 2016 as a spin-off from the I3B's research center at the University of Minho, the company originated from the doctoral work of student Alexandre Barros, currently the company’s CEO, with the initial aim of developing a biodegradable ureteral stent. Since its inception, Hydrumedical has actively sought funding to drive its growth, achieving several awards that have been crucial in advancing its trajectory.
In 2019, the company won the “EIT Health InnoStars” award with the development of “HydruSensor,” an innovative technology for portable urodynamics. That same year, we participated in the “MedtecLIVE” exhibition of “EIT Health” in Nuremberg, Germany, where we won the pitch competition among 19 health-focused start-ups. This level of visibility and recognition has been essential in attracting private investment, such as from Guimarães-based investors Vítor Magalhães and Pedro Bragança, and more recently from “Grupo Jacto,” a company with 75 years of history, founded by Shunji Nishimura in Brazil.
To expand our market presence, Hydrumedical has participated in various internationally renowned medical device trade fairs, including the “MEDICA Trade Fair” and “ARAB Health.” We were also one of the start-ups selected for the first edition of the “Web Summit” in Lisbon, which helped boost the company’s visibility and attract new funding.
Recently, Hydrumedical acquired “Bioceramed S.A.,” a company founded by Eduardo Ascenso Pires under the name “Altakitin,” dedicated to developing, manufacturing, and marketing biomaterials for bone regeneration. Bioceramed's product portfolio includes Class III medical devices for applications in orthopedics, traumatology, spinal surgery, and dental surgery.
On September 15, 2023, we inaugurated a new headquarters and manufacturing unit to produce products for both Hydrumedical and Bioceramed. At the end of 2023, Hydrumedical was one of 51 companies awarded a total of 6 million euros by the European Innovation Council and the Executive Agency for SMEs (EISMEA) through the “EIC Accelerator” program. This extremely competitive process involved interviews with 139 companies, with Hydrumedical being the only Portuguese company to secure funding.
Currently, Hydrumedical develops, manufactures, and markets products and medical devices for urology, orthopedics, ostomy, infection control, and sports medicine. Bioceramed, in turn, develops, manufactures, and sells Class III medical devices for orthopedics, traumatology, spinal surgery, and dental surgery, with a presence in more than 50 countries.