Collaboration between AseBio and Viva In Vitro Diagnostics during Sepsis Awareness Month
On the occasion of Sepsis Awareness Month and in collaboration with AseBio, at Viva In Vitro we want to give a voice to professionals who work every day on the front line against this critical condition. Sepsis represents one of the greatest challenges for health systems worldwide, and only through innovation, biotechnology, and clinical collaboration will we be able to make progress in its diagnosis and treatment.
Today we share the full interview with Dr. Ricard Ferrer, Head of Intensive Care Medicine at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (Barcelona) and one of the most renowned voices in the field of sepsis.
Dr. Ricard Ferrer.
How would you define the challenge that sepsis represents today for health systems, and why is it a global priority?
Epidemiological studies show nearly 50 million cases of sepsis worldwide every year, with 13 million deaths caused by it. Not only is mortality very high, but morbidity and long-term sequelae also have a major impact on health. In Spain, around 50,000 people are affected annually. The mortality rate varies significantly depending on the severity of the case and the speed of initiating treatment, ranging between 15% and 50%. In absolute terms, sepsis causes between 15,000 and 20,000 deaths every year in Spain — a figure higher than deaths from heart attacks or breast, colon, or pancreatic cancer, and 13 times more than traffic accidents.
What advantages does biotechnology bring to the early detection of sepsis, and how can it improve clinical response times?
Sepsis is a time-dependent disease: the sooner it is treated, the better the morbidity and mortality outcomes. Early detection through this technology should allow treatments to start much earlier and prevent the progression of sepsis.
What role does personalised medicine play in the management of sepsis, and how do your tools contribute to this objective?
Sepsis is highly heterogeneous: this fact makes its management difficult. Having access to this modern technology makes it possible to quickly identify patients who are candidates for treatment and admit them to critical care units as soon as possible.
You are a member of the Viva In Vitro Medical Advisory Board. What is Viva In Vitro’s approach to the diagnosis or management of sepsis? How does it differ from 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 an innovative technology that is revolutionising the diagnosis of sepsis by detecting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. This detection can be carried out with very compact devices that can be used directly in the areas where these patients are treated. This enables early detection of sepsis and risk stratification in the initial stages of the disease.
What has been Viva In Vitro’s most recent milestone or breakthrough in this field?
The most recent and important milestone for Viva In Vitro in the field of sepsis was its selection by the European Innovation Council (EIC) as one of the 40 most disruptive companies in Europe in January 2025. This recognition represents a historic turning point for the Murcia-based company, positioning it as a global leader in immunological medicine and advanced sepsis diagnostics.
What types of collaborations (with hospitals, research centres, or industry) does Viva In Vitro rely on to advance its solutions?
With Viva In Vitro we are collaborating in the clinical validation of their technology and in quantifying the value it brings to the management of sepsis and severe infections.
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?
Positively. There are several innovative initiatives both in diagnostics and treatment. I am convinced that some of these initiatives will soon translate into real value for patients.
What barriers still exist for a broader adoption of biotechnological technologies in the clinical management of sepsis?
The structural challenges related to financing and business scale are balanced by exceptional opportunities in precision medicine, sustainable biotechnology, and European-international collaboration. Advanced technological infrastructure and specialised support programmes are consolidating Spain as a European biotech benchmark with transformative potential in the fight against critical diseases and in building a more competitive Europe in life sciences.
Within the framework of World Sepsis Day, what message would you like to convey about the importance of early diagnosis and the key role of biotechnology?
Our commitment is to reduce sepsis morbidity and mortality by improving diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, care processes have been refined, and we have seen a positive evolution in indicators. However, we have recently detected a stagnation in this continuous improvement, and new technologies need to be incorporated into care processes to improve them and provide new opportunities for our patients.
You can read the full press release on the AseBio website: Press Release