The funding round was led by Nordic Science Investments (NSI), a Finnish firm specialising in science-based startups. Additional investments were obtained from Voima Ventures, University of Helsinki Funds, various private European investors, and a grant from Business Finland.

NADs are essential molecules present in every cell of the body, playing a key role in energy production, cellular repair, and growth. Alongside glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, NAD levels are critical for maintaining cellular health. Disruptions in these levels have been associated with age-related conditions such as metabolic disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and muscle deterioration.

Factors such as poor diet, lingering inflammation, and side effects from treatments can lead to decreased NAD levels. Monitoring NAD levels may also be beneficial in cases of unexplained fatigue, muscle weakness, long Covid, or unexpected drug reactions.

NADMED’s technology, developed from years of research in Professor Anu Suomalainen Wartiovaara’s lab at the University of Helsinki, is the first to accurately measure all four NAD forms using fresh blood samples. This method offers the same precision as mass spectrometry but is quicker and requires only a tiny amount of blood. The technology also measures glutathione levels from the same sample.

With growing interest from the medical and pharmaceutical communities, NADMED is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for reliable testing methods. The company provides measurement kits for clinical laboratories and services to support research, drug development, and clinical applications.

“In the coming years, metabolism will be the hottest topic in medicine and biology, especially when applied to personalised health and disease understanding. In this dawning age of metabolism, NAD will be the new DNA,” said Jari Närhi, CEO and co-founder at NADMED. “We are pleased and grateful for the funding from these insightful investors to spread and further develop the unique technology to measure all REDOX metabolites – something that was not possible before. This investment will enable us to bring new capabilities to diagnostics, therapy monitoring, personalised medicine, and advancement of metabolic science for the benefit of mankind.”

Precise NAD and glutathione testing methods hold the potential to revolutionise the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of various health conditions, driving forward advancements in biotechnology and medical research. These innovations are poised to significantly improve global health outcomes.

NAD levels can be boosted through B3 vitamin supplementation, which has shown encouraging results in treating conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, and mitochondrial myopathy. However, individual responses to NAD boosters vary, underscoring the importance of testing and optimising NAD levels for each patient. In the future, NADMED’s technology could pave the way for more personalised drug therapies, tailored to an individual’s metabolic profile.

Nordic Science Investments (NSI), the lead investor in NADMED’s recent funding round, specialises in backing the most promising science-driven startups in the Nordics and Baltics. NSI’s investment strategy focuses on companies with groundbreaking technology and innovative solutions that emerge from robust university research. Their portfolio includes several startups at the forefront of deeptech, healthtech, and life sciences.

“Investing in NADMED was a compelling choice for us, driven by the exceptional expertise of Professor Anu Suomalainen Wartiovaara, a globally recognized leader in metabolic disorders. For investors, the company’s diverse target market not only provides robust risk mitigation but also presents exciting growth opportunities across multiple sectors,” said Alexandra Gylfe, Founding Partner at NSI. “We are eager to leverage our strong US science and biotech networks to support NADMED’s expansion into the US market, enhancing their global footprint and driving further success in the years to come.”

NADMED’s key advantage is that its extraction method allows each metabolite to be measured individually, unlike any other method. Previously, mass spectrometry was the only available solution to accurately measure NAD+, but unable to measure reduced forms of NAD. Mass spectrometry is highly accurate but expensive and has low throughput and capacity. NADMED’s analysis has been validated against mass spectrometry. NADMED’s kits are the only CE-marked medical devices for NAD testing on the market.