Martin Hanberger, CEO of Nil Medical AB, and Ola Mattsson, Secretary General of the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund.Nil Medical AB has received its first external investment – from Barncancerfonden Impact Invest AB, a newly established impact venture launched by the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund.
“A perfect match for us. The mission of Barncancerfonden Impact Invest aligns perfectly with our values: ensuring that any potential profit contributes to future patient benefit and supports continued research and innovation,” says Martin Hanberger, CEO and founder of Nil Medical AB.
Based in Umeå, Sweden, Nil Medical has developed Vestpack – a patented, CE-marked ergonomic vest designed to protect infusion system components (fluids, pumps, and tubing) within the garment. Vestpack has been developed in close collaboration with the pediatric oncology department at Norrlands University Hospital since 2011. The product is currently undergoing clinical trials in several Swedish regions and has received highly positive feedback from patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
A mark of quality – and a gateway to international growth
Nil Medical, supported by Umeå Biotech Incubator, is now the recipient of the first-ever investment from Barncancerfonden Impact Invest AB.
“We started with the wellbeing of children at the heart of our work, and we’ve received incredible support from the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund over the years. Having Barncancerfonden Impact Invest AB as a shareholder is a strong mark of quality. It also opens doors internationally and strengthens our long-term goal: to offer greater freedom of movement to as many children as possible during treatment,” says Martin Hanberger.
The initial investment amounts to SEK 1.8 million, with a clear roadmap for follow-on investments of up to SEK 6 million.
“We have a long-term expansion strategy, and this investment allows us to take the first step: recruiting a Head of Sales to lead our commercial efforts. This will help us reach more children with Vestpack, while also allowing us to begin refining our roles within the company,” Hanberger explains.
Accelerating access to patient benefit
The goal of Barncancerfonden Impact Invest AB is to accelerate the implementation of new methods and treatments, ultimately improving care for children with cancer.
“Through this venture, we want to ensure that promising innovations and research outcomes don’t remain in the lab, but actually reach children affected by cancer. There’s a gap in innovation funding that we aim to close. Our ambition is for Barncancerfonden Impact Invest AB to act as a bridge – speeding up the journey from idea to real-world impact,” says Ola Mattsson, Secretary General of the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund.
Most companies developing oncology-related products tend to focus first on adult oncology, where patient groups are larger and market pathways more predictable. As a result, innovations in technology and pharmaceuticals often reach pediatric cancer care later – if at all – despite equally urgent needs.
Through its investment company, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund aims to create new opportunities for collaboration, development, and implementation, so that even smaller patient groups like children can access innovative products and treatments at the same pace as adults.
A vital role for the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund
One of the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund’s key responsibilities is to ensure that every donated krona makes the greatest possible impact. Some of the research projects it funds result in patentable innovations. Many of these have strong potential to improve outcomes for children with cancer, but due to the small patient base, many investors hesitate to support what they see as a limited market – even when the need is clear.
“Just as the nonprofit sector plays a key role in funding research, there’s also a need to support the implementation of research outcomes and innovations. We believe the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund has a vital role to play in bridging that gap, and we hope more stakeholders – including major investors – will step up and invest in innovations that deliver real societal impact,” says Ola Mattsson.
More info Nil Medical, please contact:
Martin Hanberger, grundare/vd, Nil Medical AB
+46-0725 60 56 60
martin.hanberger@nilmedical.com
Läs mer: NIL Medical Vestpack – Nil Medical
More info Barncancerfonden Impact Invest, please contact:
Niclas Nilsson, business developer, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund
+46-0707 10 34 20
niclas.nilsson@barncancerfonden.se
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) is one of Sweden’s state-of-the-art business incubators within the life sciences. We help researchers to use their data to the benefit of patients and citizens, improving their health. We support and train entrepreneurs in the fields of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical engineering, and act as a bridge between academia, medicine and the business community.
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