With Blood2Collect, our KU Leuven partner — the Lammertyn lab, in collaboration with Comate, are advancing innovative at-home blood collection solutions using the (i)SIMPLE technology used within the FORTIFIEDx project. This innovation was featured in MAG, a magazine distributed in the Belgian province of Vlaams-Brabant, as well as in articles by VRT NWS, KU Leuven Stories, and regional press communications. Together, these publications highlight a clear ambition: enabling accessible, reliable blood sampling beyond traditional clinical environments.
Blood2Collect is a compact, card-sized device that allows individuals to collect a precise blood sample at home using a simple finger prick. The microfluidic system automatically meters an exact volume of blood, deposits it onto a paper collection substrate, and preserves it for transport, making it possible to send samples to a laboratory by post. By enabling decentralized sampling, Blood2Collect can reduce the need for hospital visits, support patients requiring frequent monitoring, and help alleviate the growing pressure on healthcare systems. Its potential is particularly relevant in remote or resource-limited settings, where access to medical infrastructure and reliable sample transport remains a challenge.
As highlighted in MAG, the innovation reflects the strength of the regional ecosystem, where academic research is successfully translated into real-world applications through close collaboration with industry and technology transfer support. This translation from lab to market is essential to ensure that scientific breakthroughs lead to tangible healthcare solutions.
For more information, check out the news articles:
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- Feature in pers Vlaams-Brabant
- Feature in VRT NWS
- Feature in MAG
- Feature in KU Leuven Stories
