Amid the global fanfare of Mobile World Congress, a quieter revolution in healthcare is taking shape at its startup-focused counterpart, 4 Years From Now (4YFN). Spanish health technology firms are leveraging the Barcelona platform to unveil solutions that promise to redefine medical diagnostics and remote patient care, tackling systemic issues like staff overload and the need for greater clinical coordination.
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Two companies at the forefront, Barcelona’s Sycai Medical and Madrid-based Zerintia HealthTech, are showcasing innovations in early cancer detection and advanced medical telepresence. They are part of a vibrant local tech scene on display at the Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, where, as reported by Catalan News, 62 Catalan start-ups are exhibiting at 4YFN alone. The event is a key component of the MWC, which provides a significant annual boost to Barcelona’s economy.
AI as a ‘Vigilante’ for Cancer Detection
Sycai Medical, a Barcelona firm founded in 2020, has developed artificial intelligence software that can detect early-stage abdominal cancers with remarkable prescience. The company claims its technology can identify pancreatic lesions up to nine months earlier than conventional methods by acting as a digital watchdog on medical scans.
In declarations to Europa Press, CEO and founder Sara Toledano explained that the software analyses any abdominal CT scan, even if the test was ordered for reasons unrelated to the pancreas or liver.
“A radiologist has to look at hundreds of images in just a few minutes. Our system analyses each ‘slice’ of the CT scan and alerts them if it finds an incidental lesion,” Toledano stated, adding that the solution improves these crucial findings by over 60%.
Sycai Medical has launched its commercialisation phase in Europe and is already operational in hospitals across Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Germany. The company forecasts a turnover of €500,000 this year. The startup has successfully raised approximately €7 million, a blend of €4 million in private investment and €3 million from public grants and awards. Toledano credited the support of the Catalan ecosystem, including networks like Barcelona Activa and ACCIÓ, the Generalitat’s agency for business competitiveness. After securing European certification last year, the company is now focussed on obtaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enter the American market. This move signals the global ambitions of a region that has previously stood firm on international trade.
Redefining the Doctor’s Visit with Telepresence
Meanwhile, Zerintia HealthTech, established in Madrid in 2023, is challenging the conventions of telemedicine. Its platform for advanced medical telepresence goes beyond a simple video call by integrating real-time data streams from medical equipment-such as ultrasounds, surgical cameras, or ICU monitors-directly into the consultation.
This allows for unprecedented levels of remote collaboration. “Our technology aims to connect medical teams with each other so that a specialist can guide a surgery from a distance, or a neurologist can assess a stroke from the hospital while the patient is still in the ambulance,” explained Carlos Rodríguez, the company’s International Business Developer.
The firm already collaborates with 20 hospitals across Spain and has established a significant international footprint in Italy, Romania, El Salvador, Colombia, and Chile. Notable projects include connecting 120 ambulances to hospitals in Romania and installing its 4RemoteHealth platform in El Salvador’s Hospital Nacional Rosales. Zerintia is also exploring applications in military field medicine and immersive university training for medical students.
After raising €2 million in 2023, the company expects its international expansion, particularly in the Middle East, to help it reach its break-even point this year. “Our accounts are healthy; the business model gives us recurring revenue, and with the strong pipeline we have for this year, we will reach the break-even point,” Rodríguez affirmed.
The innovations from Sycai and Zerintia exemplify a broader trend at 4YFN, where technology solves pressing real-world challenges. By improving diagnostic accuracy and breaking down geographical barriers to specialist care, these Spanish companies are not just building businesses; they are building the future of healthcare from their base in Barcelona.
