2025 Award Winners
The projects or startups that have been awarded the Attractive Innovation Project award by UU Innovation are regularly presented here.
Ciencita
Methods for Inclusive Scientific Environments
Ciencita is a consultancy initiative aimed at supporting more inclusive research and learning environments. The initiative is led by Carolina de Barros Vidor and builds on her research into how organisational structures and teaching practices in higher education influence students’ and researchers’ sense of belonging, particularly within STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Based on this work, she has developed methods and tools for mapping and analysing academic environments with a focus on intersectionality and inclusive approaches. These methods are intended to strengthen the conditions for participation and collaboration within academic institutions.
Ciencita was established in 2025 and provides services to external clients.
Ciencita was founded by Carolina de Barros Vidor, a doctoral student at the Department of Education at Uppsala University.
AidMix
Digital platform for research‑based expertise in the life sciences
AidMix provides a digital platform that connects researchers and other specialists with companies seeking expertise for clearly defined research and development assignments within the life sciences. Through the platform, companies can outline a specific technical or scientific need and be matched with experts who possess the relevant specialist knowledge. At the same time, the platform offers researchers the opportunity to contribute their expertise in industry related contexts under flexible arrangements.
The platform was developed by Xiguo He, who completed her PhD at the Department of Pharmacy at Uppsala University. She founded AidMix in 2025, and the company now works with ongoing projects and paying clients.
Xiguo He developed the idea for AidMix while pursuing her PhD at the Department of Pharmacy. She completed her doctorate in the autumn of 2025.
Abstract
AI platform for intelligent matching of researchers, infrastructure and industry
Abstract is an innovation project developing an AI-based platform for matching researchers, research infrastructure and companies. The aim is to support more efficient use of research resources in both academia and industry, and to facilitate connections between research outputs and potential applications.
The project is led by Elin Cartwright, who holds a PhD from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala University, together with a multidisciplinary team. The platform analyses information on competencies, publications, technologies and equipment in order to identify collaboration opportunities between actors with complementary needs and resources. Through structured information and automated matching suggestions, the service supports collaboration between academia and external stakeholders. The platform is used by paying customers and is under continuous development.
Elin and Marshall Cartwright, two of the founders of Abstract.
Advanced-Geometry Pressure Containment Platform
A new generation of pressure vessels with broad applications
The project develops a geometrically optimised and scalable architecture for high-pressure containment vessels. By utilising a unique symmetry-adapted design, the structure provides considerable flexibility in material selection, enabling the integration of glass, metallic alloys, and even wood. Having reached the prototyping stage, the design is adaptable across multiple sectors, including geochemical research, biomedical technologies, and industrial-scale pressure processes.
The project is led by Peter Lazor, professor of physical geochemistry at the Department of Earth Sciences and inventor of the technology, in collaboration with Mattias Paulsson, affiliated researcher at the Department of Women's and Children's Health. The project has received funding from UU Invest AB through Venture Challenge and is now in a phase where the completed market analysis is being evaluated to select further applications.
Mattias Paulsson, Department of Women's and Children's Health and inventor Peter Lazor, Department of Earth Sciences.
Extem Pharma
Personalised medication through 3D printing technology
Extem Pharma is developing a platform for individualised, on-demand medicines based on solid dosage forms and 3D printing. The company’s manufacturing facility and platform enable rapid, small-scale production in the exact dose and form required, offering a flexible alternative for use in clinical trials. The innovation has clear relevance across healthcare, veterinary medicine, and research, with the potential to improve treatment precision while reducing waste.
Extem Pharma has its origins in Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The founders – Christel Bergström, Mattias Paulsson and Henrik Rönnberg – bring together expertise in drug formulation, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. The company has secured its first combination of private and competitive public funding and is now establishing a production facility in Uppsala.
Two of Extem Pharma’s founders: Mattias Paulsson, affiliated researcher at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health and Deputy Chief Pharmacist at Uppsala University Hospital, and Christel Bergström, Professor of Molecular Galenic Pharmacy at the Department of Pharmacy
Neuroblastoma Theranostics
Targeted molecules for better diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer
This innovation project is developing a new class of NK1R-targeted molecules for the diagnosis and treatment of neuroblastoma, a severe childhood cancer with limited therapeutic options. The molecules are designed to bind to the NK1 receptor (NK1R), a key driver of tumour progression, and can also be radiohalogenated. This enables the same molecule to be used for both imaging and therapy — a theranostic approach that is currently lacking in neuroblastoma care and has the potential to enable earlier detection and more precise, less harmful therapies for affected children.
Neuroblastoma Theranostics is led by researchers Marika Nestor (Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology) and Ulrika Rosenström (Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences), together with Preeti Jha, previously affiliated with the university. The project has shown promising results in preclinical animal models and is now progressing towards commercial drug development with initial support from UU Invest’s project company.
Researchers Marika Nestor, Ulrika Rosenström and Preeti Jha (appearing on the digital screen) are the innovators behind the Neuroblastoma Theranostics project.
Storybranch
Stories that spark curiosity about forest life
Storybranch combines natural science, storytelling, and illustration to inspire children’s curiosity about forest ecosystems – with trees at their heart. Led by Ivón Hassel, former researcher at Uppsala University, the initiative stems from the recognition that many young people grow up without a clear understanding of humanity’s relationship with nature. By bringing together scientific, technical, and educational expertise, the project develops learning models that are both scalable and culturally responsive.
Storybranch has already taken shape as a children’s book, educational materials, and art posters in several languages, and is currently collaborating with schools and other partners, including in Mexico. The work now continues to expand international collaborations and explore new formats for education in science, sustainability, and cultural understanding.
Storybranch was founded by Ivón Hassel, a former researcher at Uppsala University, who has worked with structural analysis of the Vasa ship.
BLEC
Preventing sexual corruption with research-based methods
BLEC supports companies, public authorities and other organisations that want to work proactively against corruption where sexual services are used as currency. The team behind BLEC – Elin Bjarnegård, Silje Lundgren, Åsa Eldén and Dolores Calvo – are pioneers in the field, having developed concepts, methods and knowledge that shape today’s understanding of sexual corruption. They are also part of a world-leading research environment within this area.
Together, they have translated their expertise into practical tools such as training, assessments and advisory services to strengthen organisational integrity and professionalism. BLEC has already gained its first clients – both in Sweden and internationally – and interest continues to grow.
Dolores Calvo, Åsa Eldén and Elin Bjarnegård, researchers at the Department of Government, together with Silje Lundgren at Linköping University (not pictured), have laid the foundation for BLEC – a company translating world-leading research on sexual corruption into real-world change.
Ladnaan
Parenting support for newly arrived and migrant families
Associate Professor Fatumo Osman at Dalarna University has developed Ladnaan, a method designed to strengthen families who are newly arrived in Sweden or have migration experiences – groups often most in need of support, yet hardest to reach. The method is based on more than a decade of research in global health and migration and has shown positive results.
Interest in Ladnaan has grown well beyond academia. It has now been packaged for practical use, for example within social services, and is supported by a website and marketing materials for secure and well-managed dissemination. The first method package has already been sold to a municipality.
Fatumo Osman, Associate Professor at Dalarna University, has developed Ladnaan – a method named after the Somali word for "a sense of health and wellbeing". Based on over a decade of research, it strengthens the parents most in need of support.
Sectris
Spectroscopic analysis methods for electrochemical research
Luca D’Amario, based at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström, has developed novel spectroscopic analysis methods for advanced material characterisation. The technology enables new ways to study electrochemical reactions and has the potential to support developments in electrochemical cell design, instrumentation, synchrotron experiments, and advanced data analysis. It may prove valuable for the advancement of green energy technologies and more resource-efficient materials development.
To commercialise the innovation, Luca has founded Sectris AB and recently achieved a key milestone with the first sales to customers. The next step is to scale up and reach more users in both research and industry.
Luca D’Amario, researcher at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström and founder of Sectris.
Green Cell Factories
Green Cell Factories for sustainable chemical production
Green Cell Factories aims to develop modular systems that capture carbon dioxide and, through the photosynthesis of genetically modified algae, convert it into platform chemicals such as butanol. By combining synthetic biology with light-driven microorganisms, the project offers a sustainable production pathway powered directly by sunlight and CO₂.
Led by Samantha Fuller and Peter Lindblad at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory, the project has been awarded SEB’s Innovation Scholarship. The technology has the potential to replace fossil-based resources in both energy and chemical production. Next steps include further process development, pilot testing with industrial partners, and preparing for commercialisation through a start-up company.
Samantha Fuller has been awarded SEB’s Innovation Scholarship for her work on Green Cell Factories, a project she leads together with Peter Lindblad at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory.
Love Science
New method for engaging young people in science
Which young people choose to study STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) – and why? This question has been at the heart of research conducted by Dr Anne-Sofie Nyström, Senior Lecturer in Child and Youth Studies at Uppsala University, in collaboration with Professor Anna Danielsson, Stockholm University and colleagues Maria Berge, Umeå University and Anders Johansson from Chalmers University of Technology.
To create impact beyond academia, the research team founded the non-profit organisation Love Science. By developing and sharing new forms of storytelling, visual materials and educational tools grounded in research, the initiative aims to broaden access to science education and reach groups that are currently underrepresented in higher STEM studies.
The team has developed a narrative-based method to explore and communicate young people’s interest in science – a method designed to inspire, include, and foster recognition. Love Science has secured external funding from foundations and trusts to support the publication of its first book and the continued development and dissemination of its research-based materials.
Anna Danielsson and Anne-Sofie Nyström run a research-based initiative to diversify access to science education through the non-profit Love Science.
Vascurie
New strategy for treating aggressive brain tumors
Vascurie is an innovation project led by Professor Anna Dimberg and former group member Roberta Lugano at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology. Together, they are developing an antibody-based therapy for glioblastoma – an aggressive and currently incurable brain tumor with a high unmet medical need.
By targeting the tumor’s blood vessels and altering their function, the treatment aims to both prevent cancer cells from spreading in the brain and improve drug delivery to the tumor. This could significantly enhance treatment options for affected patients.
The innovative therapeutic strategy has shown promising preclinical results and is patent-pending. The next focus is securing funding for production and regulatory steps to enable clinical trials. UU Invest’s project company has joined to support future investments and a successful commercialisation journey. In addition, Jonas Ekblom has recently joined as President of Vascurie, bringing valuable leadership and industry expertise to the team.
The development of the new strategy for treating glioblastoma is being jointly led by Anna Dimberg and former group member Roberta Lugano. The innovation project, named Vascurie, has been further strengthened by the addition of Jonas Ekblom, who brings expertise in pharmaceutical and business development to the team.
Agroclimate Sweden AB
Researchers Bahram Moshfegh and Patrick Olsson from the University of Gävle, along with Vlatko Milic from Linköping University, aim to bring a new resource-efficient greenhouse technology to the market. This involves the application of the so-called Confluent Jets technology in greenhouse environments. This technology is designed to improve airflow and energy efficiency in indoor settings by combining multiple round air jets into a single, cohesive stream. The research team's goal is to develop climate-controlled greenhouses that offer the ability to regulate indoor conditions such as temperature and humidity to optimise crop yields. Together, they have founded the company Agroclimate Sweden AB and have received funding from both Vinnova and the Swedish Board of Agriculture to develop a test and demonstration facility for commercialisation.
