About us

FerroSens offers a method to screen for iron deficiency at the point of care, which is

FerroSens GmbH is a spin-off of the Laser Research Laboratory, an institute of the LIFE Center, at the University Hospital Munich. The company was founded in July 2017 with the main office in Munich (Germany), driven by the WHO’s proclaimed research priority to develop a very cost-effective, portable, reliable instrument to measure the iron parameter Zinc Protoporphyrin.

After several years of extensive research and development, clinical studies on close to 1.000 participants showed the high reliability and accuracy of the newly developed non-invasive measurement technique. This was the right time for the foundation of FerroSens GmbH, who launched FIDscreen, the first non-invasive point-of-care testing device fulfilling the WHO’s requirements.

FIDscreen enables wide-spread screening for iron deficiency through its simple and fast non-invasive method without the need for blood withdrawal. In this way, FerroSens helps to fight iron deficiency, the world's most common nutritional deficiency.

world wide
A world wide problem

Iron deficiency

Research Priority

Development of an inexpensive, portable, reliable instrument to measure the iron parameter Zinc Protoporphyrin (ZnPP).

*WHO. Food Nutr Bull 2007; 28:S621-S627

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Prevalence

Worldwide, 500,000,000 children suffer from iron deficiency.
In China 32.5 % of all children between 7 months and 7 years are iron deficient.

Consequences

Iron deficiency in childhood impairs the cognitive development and leads to a lower IQ. Iron deficiency also weakens the immune system.

Treatment

ID can be easily treated, however most persons affected are unaware of their need for iron. This is because no suitable screening test is available, as all existing methods require a blood withdrawal and laboratory processing.

BLOOD WITHDRAWAL

Currently, iron deficiency detection requires a blood withdrawal. This is a hurdle in many settings, leading to a low screening coverage. Especially for children, the blood withdrawal is stressful and causes pediatricians to refrain.

UNRELIABLE PARAMETERS

Iron deficiency markers are often unreliable: The most often determined parameter hemoglobin indicates only anemia, a late consequence of iron deficiency. Other parameters as ferritin are incorrect under certain health conditions (e.g. inflammation).

TIME CONSUMING

The blood tests for iron deficiency are typically performed in an external laboratory. This leads to a delayed result and increases costs.

EXPENSIVE MEASUREMENTS

The determination of reliable iron deficiency parameters is expensive. Especially resident pediatricians have no economic benefit when ordering blood tests.
Solution

FIDscreen Technology

FIDscreen is a medical device for the detection of zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), an established marker for iron deficiency. FIDscreen is based on an optical method, fluorescence spectroscopy and an elaborate data evaluation to obtain a quantitative measurement of ZnPP. The measurement is performed on the lower lip of an individual and takes about one minute.

Improves medical care for patients

Speeds up diagnostic routine

Takes anxiety from children’s parents

Is more convenient and comfortable for patients

FerroSens Experts

Our Team

C.Homann

Dr. Christian Homann

CEO
  • Physicist, PhD at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (summa cum laude)
  • 12 years working experience in optical laser methods
  • Experience in clinical studies, medical device approval
Rainer Szalata kleiner

Rainer Szalata

CTO
  • Physicist, BSc at Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich
  • Expert for product development and production engineering
  • 10 years experience in entrepreneurship and networking
Max

Dr. Maximilian Eisel

Scientific Director
  • Physicist, PhD at Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich (magna cum laude)
  • Over 3 years of experience in managing and building industry cooperations
  • Strong background in research, product testing and qualification
FIDscreen
FIDscreen

Vision & Trends

1

NON-INVASIVE DETECTION OF LEAD POISONING

Our device can detect lead poisoning, which is still an acute problem in many countries world-wide, including the US where still more than 6.1 m homes have lead pipes.
2

VEGETARIAN & VEGAN DIETS

The trend to vegetarian and vegan diets increases both the risk and the awareness for micronutrient deficiencies, especially iron deficiency. This increases the demand for FIDscreen measurements.
3

FIDSCREEN IN SPORTS CLUBS

Improved physical performance by avoiding iron deficiency anemia. With FIDscreen, sport clubs can offer regular tests for iron deficiency.
4

FIDSCREEN IN PHARMACIES

Privately paid iron deficiency testing avoids the visit of the medical doctor.
Testimonials

Working at the highest level
with our clients

ferrosens-testimonial-b.koletzko
The non-invasive measurement of zinc protoporphyrin has the potential to become an extremely valuable tool in the diagnosis of iron deficiency. In pediatrics, it will allow for routine screening which is currently dearly missing in child care.

Prof. Berthold Koletzko

Chair, Committee on Nutrition, German Society Paediatrics
ferrosens-testimonial-p.meybohm
I consider the non-invasive measurement of zinc protoporphyrin a very valuable and interesting approach for patient blood management. Due to the immediate and reliable result it has the potential to drastically speed up clinical processes and help improve patient care.

Prof. Patrick Meybohm

Co-Founder, German PBM Network
ferrosens-testimonial-j-hastka
Zinc Protoporphyrin is the ideal marker to diagnose iron deficient erythropoiesis. It is currently not more widely used because the established measurement methods are either not reliable or too expensive and complicated. The newly developed technique of FerroSens has the potential to change that and to facilitate its regular use.

Prof. Jan Hastka

Hematology, Uniklinikum Mannheim
Who supports us?

Successful Grants

FerroSens was funded by EXIST Forschungstransfer of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Any question
about FerroSens?

Address:
 Sylvensteinstr. 10
81369 Munich

Email: info(at)ferrosens.de
Phone: +49 89 9274 2705