Collaboration between AseBio and Viva In Vitro Diagnostics during Sepsis Awareness Month
As part of Sepsis Awareness Month and in collaboration with AseBio, at Viva In Vitro we have launched a series of content pieces to highlight the clinical challenges and biotechnological solutions to this critical disease.
We have already shared the interview with Dr. Ricard Ferrer, Head of Intensive Care Medicine at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, as well as an analysis of how this condition affects thousands of people in Spain. Today we present the perspective of Dr. Pablo Pelegrín Vivancos, Full Professor of Immunology and co-founder of Viva In Vitro.
Dr. Pablo Pelegrín
How would you define the challenge that sepsis represents today for health systems, and why is it a global priority?
Sepsis is a complex medical problem, where multiple factors interact to determine the patient’s prognosis. Mortality remains high, affecting around 20–30% of patients, and it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. One of the most important problems in managing this condition is that there are no treatments directly targeting its cause, except antibiotics or surgery to remove the infectious focus. The incidence and mortality of severe sepsis surpass those of other diseases with major social impact, such as breast cancer or AIDS. Therefore, sepsis continues to pose a major challenge for scientists and clinicians.
What is Viva In Vitro’s approach to diagnosing or managing sepsis? How does it differ from traditional methods?
Viva In Vitro provides an early prognosis of sepsis by detecting the severity of the patient at an early stage. It uses the NLRP3 inflammasome as a key functional biomarker to identify the patient’s inflammatory response. This technology makes it possible to anticipate complications before they become clinically apparent. Furthermore, by evaluating the patient’s immune response, it allows treatment to be personalised. All of this improves accuracy and speed compared to traditional methods.
What technologies or biotechnological platforms does Viva In Vitro use in the development of its solutions against sepsis?
Viva In Vitro has developed VIVA-ELISA®, a pioneering biotechnological tool that rapidly and accurately detects NLRP3 inflammasome activation by identifying the presence of ASC oligomers as a biomarker. This innovative tool provides an evaluation of the immune response, allowing us to anticipate patients’ responses to potential secondary infections and therefore the risk of developing severe complications. Unlike traditional methods, VIVA-ELISA® offers early and personalised patient stratification, improving prognosis and reducing hospital burden. The technology has now reached TRL4, validated in the laboratory and ready for clinical studies.
What advantages does biotechnology bring to the early detection of sepsis, and how can it improve clinical response times?
Biotechnology brings key advantages in the early detection of sepsis by enabling the identification of specific immunological biomarkers, such as the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. This anticipatory capacity significantly improves clinical response times, as it allows appropriate treatments to begin in the early stages, reducing both mortality and complications.
What role does personalised medicine play in the management of sepsis, and how do your tools contribute to that goal?
Personalised medicine plays a crucial role in managing sepsis by tailoring treatment to the specific immune status of each patient. Viva In Vitro contributes to this approach with tools such as VIVA-ELISA® and Viva Sepscare®, which identify NLRP3 inflammasome activation and allow patients to be stratified according to their risk and immune response. These solutions align with ongoing clinical trials led by experts such as Mihai Netea, who are investigating immunostimulant therapies with recombinant IFN-γ to reactivate the immune system in sepsis-induced immunosuppression. This synergy between advanced diagnostics and targeted therapies opens new pathways to reduce mortality and personalise clinical care.
What has been Viva In Vitro’s most recent milestone or breakthrough in this field?
The most recent breakthrough for Viva In Vitro has been the development and validation of a biotechnology-based device centred on the NLRP3 immunological biomarker, enabling early and personalised prognosis of sepsis severity. This technology, which includes the VIVA-ELISA® test, will significantly reduce hospital mortality and healthcare costs. Furthermore, Viva In Vitro is preparing to launch this system from its headquarters at the Murcia Science Park, following the successful raising of over €5 million in investment.
What types of collaborations (with hospitals, research centres or industry) does Viva In Vitro rely on to advance its solutions?
Viva In Vitro relies on a strong network of collaborations with hospitals, research centres, and health services to advance its solutions against sepsis. Key partners include Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital (Murcia), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (Barcelona), La Paz University Hospital (Madrid), Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital (Málaga), and Jerez de la Frontera University Hospital, together with institutions such as INiBICA, IBIMA, IMIB, FCADIZ, and FFIS. These collaborations enable the pre-clinical validation of the NLRP3 biomarker, which is essential for early diagnosis and patient stratification, and are key to translating scientific innovation into clinical practice.
How do you assess the evolution of the biotech ecosystem in Spain in relation to innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of critical illnesses such as sepsis? What barriers still exist for a broader adoption of biotechnological technologies in clinical sepsis management?
Among the main barriers we find a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals about new functional biomarkers, the need for clinical validation, and the lack of smooth integration into hospital workflows. In addition, new diagnostic devices must overcome regulatory hurdles such as FDA approval and demonstrate efficacy in real-world settings, not just in the laboratory.
On the occasion of World Sepsis Day, what message would you like to convey about the importance of early diagnosis and the key role of biotechnology?
On World Sepsis Day, we want to highlight the vital importance of early prognosis as a key tool for saving lives. Sepsis progresses rapidly and every hour counts; this is why biotechnology offers innovative solutions that allow us to detect patients’ responses before they occur during the course of the disease. Solutions developed by Viva In Vitro make it possible to analyse patients’ functional inflammatory responses and personalise treatment. Investing in these technologies means investing in medicine that is more precise, efficient, and humane.
You can read the full press release on the AseBio website: Press Release