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Celtro GmbH is an innovative medical technology startup from Dresden, Germany, specializing in the development of autonomous medical devices powered by the body's own cell energy[1][3]. The company was founded in 2019 and pursues the ambitious goal of revolutionizing the future of implantable medical technology through groundbreaking energy solutions[1].
Celtro develops medical electronics based on nanowatt electronics, using a unique concept: Instead of conventional batteries, the company relies on electrical energy harvesting – the extraction of energy directly from biological cells[2][4]. This principle enables medical devices to supply themselves with energy. As Dr. med. Judith Piorkowski, one of the founders and a cardiologist, explains: "A cell absorbs sugar as an energy source and converts it into electrical and mechanical energy. There are billions of cells in a heart. Only a small portion of the energy converted there is needed to operate self-sufficient implants, such as pacemakers"[4].
Celtro's technology targets medical applications such as patient monitoring systems and pacemakers[2][4]. The company is currently working on its flagship development program "NanoPower-BioChip", which demonstrates and establishes the fundamentals of cellular energy generation[2][3].
The company was founded by a highly qualified team: Dr.-Ing. Gerd Teepe (CEO), Dr. med. Judith Piorkowski, Dr. med. Thomas Gaspar and Jarek Budny[3]. This combination of semiconductor engineers and medical experts forms the ideal basis for the development of innovative medical technology solutions.
Celtro successfully completed its first financing round in December 2021[3]. The capital comes from private investors from Germany and the USA as well as from technology funding from the Free State of Saxony[2][3]. This financial basis secured the first phase of the NanoPower-BioChip program[2].
The company's current focus is on chip development in cooperation with numerous development partners in Saxony[2][3]. Celtro plans a strategic personnel expansion in Dresden with experts from the fields of semiconductor development, system development and medicine[2][3].
Dresden offers Celtro a unique competitive advantage: The combination of advanced semiconductor research, cell biology and medical expertise is a unique selling point at the location[3]. This synergy enables the company to innovate at the interface between semiconductor technology and modern medicine.
Celtro addresses one of the biggest challenges in modern medical technology: the energy supply of implantable devices. By using the body's own cell energy, medical implants could be created in the future that do not require external power sources or frequent battery changes – a transformative potential for patients worldwide.
