Milan-based MedTech startup Tensive has received a €20 million loan to support the development of its medical technology. The company makes bioresorbable scaffolds called REGENERA/SOFTAG, which are designed to help with breast reconstruction and tissue marking.
The funding will be used for research and development, clinical trials, CE marking, increasing manufacturing capacity and preparing for commercial launch.
The loan comes from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and covers half of Tensive’s planned €40 million financing. The funding is supported by the European Commission’s InvestEU programme.
“The EIB has examined our clinical evidence and our regulatory file in detail and has committed €20 million to enable us to take REGENERA from our recently reported positive pivotal clinical results to a product in the hands of European surgeons,” says Sanjay Kakkar, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Tensive. “This commitment anchors and catalyses our ongoing equity financing. We are one step closer to offering the first natural, lasting solution to women who today have no viable options for reconstruction after breast cancer lumpectomy.”
“Supporting European innovation in health, and in women’s health in particular, is central to the EIB Group’s mission. This financing will help Tensive advance its promising regenerative technology with the potential to address important unmet medical needs in breast cancer care. Backed by InvestEU, the operation also strengthens Europe’s capacity to develop high value medical technologies and create highly skilled jobs,” adds Gelsomina Vigliotti, EIB Vice President.
Founded in 2012, Tensive is a medical device company developing advanced materials for breast reconstruction and tissue marking. Its technology uses special scaffolds that can naturally break down inside the body. The products are designed for patients recovering from lumpectomy surgery or those having cosmetic breast procedures.
Tensive’s main product, REGENERA, is a soft, sponge-like scaffold placed in the breast during lumpectomy surgery. It helps fill the space left after the tumour is removed and is designed to work as part of the normal surgical process.
REGENERA has a texture similar to body fat, allowing it to fit naturally into the surgical area without surgeons having to manually adjust its size. This makes the procedure faster and easier while reducing the need for additional surgery.
Over time, the material is gradually absorbed by the body and replaced by the patient’s own healthy tissue. This means the breast can naturally rebuild the treated area while maintaining its original shape and feel.
Another benefit is that REGENERA can be clearly seen on medical scans. This helps doctors accurately target radiation treatment and makes it easier to monitor the patient during follow-up checks.
