Dutch medtech company Sencilia secures fresh funding to support the development of its infusion therapy technology.
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Groningen-based Sencilia, a Dutch medtech company and a spin-off from the University of Groningen, has secured fresh funding to advance its infusion therapy technology. The funding amount, however, remains undisclosed.
The Dutch company secured an investment from Future Tech Ventures (FTV) and imec.istart to accelerate the development of its infusion sensor toward market approval. The technology is designed to improve intravenous (IV) infusion therapy by enabling more precise delivery of medication and nutrition.
Intravenous (IV) infusion therapy is a medical treatment where fluids, medications, or nutrients are delivered directly into a patient’s vein using a tube and needle or catheter.
imec.istart mentions, “At imec.istart.nl, we are proud to continue supporting the Sencilia team in their mission to make intravenous infusions safer and smarter. Their flow sensing technology addresses a critical need in clinical care, and we believe this investment will help accelerate their journey to market.”
“We’re excited to see Sencilia’s innovation gain traction and look forward to the impact it will have on patient safety and hospital workflows.”
Real-time insights that can save lives
Founded in 2021, Sencilia develops smart sensors designed to monitor the flow rate of infusion fluids in real time. This is particularly important for patients receiving very low-volume infusions, such as premature babies in neonatal intensive care units.
Conventional infusion pumps can take several hours to detect blockages or irregular flow, whereas Sencilia’s Rely-V sensor can detect anomalies within 30 seconds.
Key features of the Rely-V Sensor:
- Reusable design
- Measures IV dosage rates as low as 0.1 mL per hour
- Operates without direct contact with the fluid
- Provides precise measurements beyond current systems
These features allow healthcare providers to monitor and control infusions immediately, enhancing safety for patients who are especially vulnerable.
Unlike traditional systems that estimate flow indirectly, Sencilia’s sensors provide direct, physical measurements of the infusion process. This real-time feedback helps prevent complications like underdosing or overdosing and offers a level of precision not available in standard clinical practice.
The technology has gained attention from leading hospitals and market players in Europe, with pilot projects already underway.
The Rely-V sensor was developed by Sencilia’s team—co-CTOs Natanael Gomes and Felix Wood, R&D engineer Thom van der Honing, and founder/CEO Dr. Amar Kamat—in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Ajay Kottapalli from the University of Groningen, whose work on nature-inspired sensors was nominated for the 2025 Huibregtsen Prize.
Capital utilisation
Sencilia will use the funds to advance the launch of its infusion sensor. The company will finalise the product design for manufacturing, establish a quality management system, prepare submissions for FDA approval and other international certifications, and collect clinical data in collaboration with hospitals such as UMCG and Erasmus MC.
The Groningen-based company will also expand its team, including hiring a Chief Commercial Officer to strengthen commercial development.
These steps aim to bring Sencilia’s infusion sensor to market while ensuring it meets regulatory and clinical standards and is ready for broader adoption.
Ignacio Faustino, Investment Manager at Future Tech Ventures, says, “Sencilia’s real-time, highly accurate, and user-friendly infusion monitoring system aligns perfectly with FTV’s commitment to support groundbreaking solutions developed locally that improve patient outcomes.”
“We believe that their technology not only has the potential to transform patient care in vulnerable populations like neonatal and pediatric patients but also across various clinical settings where there is a need for accurate and reliable infusion systems.”
Collaborative research projects
Sencilia’s location near UMCG and the University of Groningen provides direct access to clinical expertise and skilled talent. The company is working on a collaborative R&D project called ‘Rely-V’ with the University of Groningen, supported by the Health Holland MKB program, to advance the technology readiness level of its sensors.
Sencilia also led the SmartInfuus project consortium, funded by the SNN EFRO Valorization program. In this project, the sensor’s performance was successfully tested and validated using an animal kidney model at UMCG’s Surgical Research Laboratory.
The company is preparing clinical studies to test the sensor in critical care settings, including both adult and neonatal intensive care units.
To support these efforts, several students from the University of Groningen (RUG) and Hanze University have joined Sencilia as permanent staff, strengthening the company’s research and operational capabilities.
Amar Kamat, founder and CEO of Sencilia, says, “Groningen offers exactly what we need: a strong ecosystem where science, healthcare, and entrepreneurship reinforce each other. Our collaboration with UMCG is not only valuable in content but also fundamental to the preclinical and clinical validation of our technology.”
