TheraMe!, a Lausanne-based medtech, is transforming cancer treatment by partnering with CSEM to develop an automated, microfluidic-based instrument. This breakthrough technology enables personalized drug screening on live tumor samples, providing cancer patients with tailored therapy recommendations before treatment begins.
Cancer treatment has long been hampered by the uniqueness of each patient’s tumor and its evolving resistance to drugs. Traditional methods often fail to address these complexities, leaving a critical need for innovative, personalized solutions. Enter TheraMe!, a Lausanne-based medtech start-up that is revolutionizing cancer treatment with its proprietary microfluidic technology. In collaboration with the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), TheraMe! is developing an automated instrument to analyze live tumor samples and identify the most effective drug combinations for individual patients.
Founded in 2023, TheraMe! uses microfluidic systems – miniaturized labs on a chip – to test hundreds of drug combinations directly on tumor cells from patient biopsies. Unlike traditional methods that require large cell samples, this approach uses minimal material and delivers results within days. However, manual handling steps have limited its integration into clinical practice. To address this, TheraMe! partnered with CSEM to automate the process and create a fully integrated in vitro diagnostic (IVD) device.
The collaboration, supported by an Innosuisse grant, focuses on simplifying and streamlining the technology. CSEM has developed a 4-channel labware prototype that can precisely control individual liquid lines. Building on this success, the team is now working on a 24-well format with enhanced features such as mechanical sealing, liquid level tracking and temperature control.
Where biology, engineering, and digitalization intersect to advance healthcare
Baris Atakan, Senior R&D Engineer at CSEM, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “Our collaboration with TheraMe! has been a fantastic journey, evolving from two initial industrial projects into a major Innosuisse-funded initiative. Together, we’re harnessing the power of cell microsystems to redefine biomonitoring and diagnostics, bringing their microfluidic technology closer to clinical application. By automating complex drug testing directly on patient-derived tumor cells, we’re transforming what used to be a labor-intensive process into a streamlined, precise workflow that delivers rapid results. This partnership showcases how industry and research, working together, can advance diagnostics and make impactful innovations more accessible for routine clinical use.”
TheraMe!’s technology aligns with the megatrend of bioconvergence, where biology, engineering and digitalization intersect to advance healthcare. This collaboration not only highlights Western Switzerland’s leadership in life sciences innovation, but also underscores its role as a hub for cutting-edge medical technology development.
