XS Innovations Moves Toward the Clinic with AVF Valve Technology

Venture Challenge Fall 2023 alumnus XS Innovations has taken a major step toward improving dialysis care. The team has developed an implantable valve that allows clinicians to open and close arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) as needed—reducing complications and improving quality of life for patients with end-stage kidney disease.

AVFs are the lifeline for patients on dialysis but often lead to complications such as heart strain, vessel narrowing, and occlusions. XS Innovations’ magnetic valve aims to change that by limiting unnecessary blood flow when dialysis is not in session.

The innovation is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration led by Prof. Dr. Joris Rotmans (Leiden University Medical Center) and Toon Stilma, CEO and co-founder of XS Innovations. Since its inception, the startup has raised €1.8 million and is preparing for preclinical data this summer, followed by a first-in-human trial in 2026.

“This was product development, not science,” Rotmans explains. “Traditional academic grants no longer fit, so we decided to continue as a spin-off”.

Supported by a voucher from the RegMed XB & DCVA Thematic Tech Transfer (TTT) Program, the company is a leading example of how public-private collaboration can drive medical innovation. Early-stage funding came from the F1RST fund, joined by syndicate partners including Graduate Entrepreneur Fund, UNIIQ, Delft Enterprises, LEH, and Innovation Industries.

XS Innovations is currently raising €6.5 million for the next phase of development, combining public grants and private investment. With regulatory preparation and a robust prototype in place, the company is on a clear trajectory toward clinical validation and future impact.

Source: www.xs-innovations.com & LinkedIn