High-Tech Gründerfonds and Bayern Kapital invest in digital cardiology clinic iATROS

March 9, 2020

As part of a two million euro seed financing round, High-Tech Gründerfonds invests in the Munich-based iATROS GmbH, along with co-investors Bayern Kapital and several business angels. iATROS, a digital health start-up, has developed a telemedicine solution, which enables data-driven treatment of cardiology patients. The target group of the iATROS solution comprises both clinics and the patients themselves. The funds of the seed round will be used to expand the company’s staff and drive the further development of the software. The operative launch is planned for this year.

iATROS was founded in 2019 by the cardiology specialists Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Leber and Dr. med. Georges von Degenfeld as well as Patrick Palacin, Prof. Wolfram Winter and Jens Schäfer. The aim of the company is to develop a platform for seamlessly connecting cardiology patients with their medical caregivers. At its core, the solution is based on a continuous, app-based doctor-patient line of communication in the form of digital health plans as well as manufactuer-independent use of mobile health sensors (via smart wearables). The patient’s health data is continuously monitored and recorded, in order to support the doctors through artificial intelligence-based diagnostics, medication regimens and automated alarms.

Via the app, cardiology patients can be guided professionally and reminded of taking regular measurements or their medications. In addition, the app also allows patients to evaluate their own health and – in case of an emergency – contact a telecardiologist around the clock (24/7) at the touch of a button. The iATROS platform is intended to make the medical care of cardiology patients more efficient and to prevent diseases such as strokes and heart attacks.

With this solution, iATROS addresses one of the largest areas of the German healthcare systems – the cardiology sector, which generates about 16 percent of all healthcare costs in Germany. Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death, accounting for 39 percent of all cases. In addition, about 1.7 million patients in Germany receive stationary hospital care for such diseases each year.

Roman Huber, Managing Director at Bayern Kapital, says: In comparison to other industries, the healthcare sector is still hardly digitalised. This represents a market with significant growth potential in the coming years. Especially in the cardiology sector, digital solutions offer considerable opportunities to improve both therapies and the patients’ quality of life, which is exactly what makes the iATROS solution interesting.

iATROS GmbH is one of the most innovative start-ups in the field of digital medicine. The founders‘ competence, its technology as well as the potential for further development in its area of business have convinced us to invest,

says Dr. Juri Bach, Investment Manager at HTGF.

About iATROS
iAtros is a digital heart clinic and a fully integrated platform, providing better medical care for patients with cardiovascular problems around the clock. Among other services, iATROS offers smart sensor diagnosis, a vital parameter data base, therapy- and medication regimes as well as teledoctor services.
Cardiologists Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Leber and Dr. med Georges von Degenfeld and eHealth entrepreneur Patrick Palacin founded iATROS in 2019. Former Sky executive and communications expert Prof Wolfram Winter and former AOK Berlin finance director Jens Schäfer are the co-founders.

Contact
Anna Bramböck
Head of Communication
communications@i-atros.com
www.i-atros.com

About Bayern Kapital
Bayern Kapital GmbH, based in Landshut, was founded on the initiative of the Bavarian government in 1995. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bavarian LfA Förderbank . As the venture capital organisation of the Land of Bavaria, Bayern Kapital provides equity capital financing for the founders of young innovative technology companies in Bavaria.

Presently Bayern Kapital manages twelve investment funds with a total volume of around €385m. So far, it has invested roughly €310m in more than 270 innovative companies in the fields of technology in various sectors including life science, software & IT, medical technology, materials and new materials, nanotechnology and environmental technology. In this way, more than 7500 long-term jobs in sustainable companies have been created in Bavaria. For more information please visit: www.bayernkapital.de

 Contact
 Benedikt Nesselhauf
 IWK Communication Partner
 T.: +49 (0)89 2000 30 30
 bayernkapital@iwk-cp.com 

About High-Tech Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven start-ups. With around EUR 900 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge almost 600 start-ups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and startup experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech start-ups in the fields of digital business models, industrial technology, life sciences, chemistry and related business areas. To date, external investors have injected over EUR 2.4 billion into the HTGF portfolio via more than 1,500 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests in more than 100 companies.

Investors in this public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry For Economic Affairs and Energy, KfW Capital, and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V., as well as the companies ALTANA, BASF, BAYER, B.Braun, Boehringer Ingelheim, Robert Bosch, BÜFA, CEWE, Deutsche Post DHL, Dräger, Drillisch AG, EVONIK, EWE AG, FOND OF, Haniel, Hettich, Knauf, Körber, LANXESS, media + more venture Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, PHOENIX CONTACT, Postbank, QIAGEN, RWE Generation SE, SAP, Schufa, Schwarz Gruppe, STIHL, Thüga, Vector Informatik, WACKER and Wilh. Werhahn KG. www.htgf.de/en

 Contact
 High-Tech Gründerfonds 
 Schlegelstraße 2
 53113 Bonn 
 Dr. Juri Bach, Investment Manager
 T.: +49 (0)228  82300  175
 j.bach@htgf.de