Lumnora, a recently established deep-tech startup, has emerged from the EIC Transition-funded nanoSCAN project (Grant agreement ID: 101136680), a European collaboration aimed at advancing spatial biology through next-generation imaging technologies. The nanoSCAN consortium brings together partners from Politecnico di Milano (IT), IFN‑CNR (IT), ISMO‑CNRS (FR), Abbelight (FR) and Laserlab-Europe (DE), integrating academic research, industrial experience and access to advanced laser infrastructures to deliver breakthrough photonic chips and integrated optical systems.

One of central outcomes of the project is the development of photonic chips by the research groups led by Andrea Bassi (Politecnico di Milano) and Francesca Bragheri (IFN‑CNR). Validated through research and prototype testing, these components form the technological foundation for next-generation imaging systems with potential industrial and clinical applications. Their development reflects nanoSCAN’s broader objective: advancing technological innovation while ensuring that key results can be translated into real-world products, creating pathways for spin-offs and market-ready solutions.

It was in this context that the idea of Lumnora was born: the opportunity to apply the same photonic chip technology, microfluidics expertise, and systems integration developed at IFN-CNR and Politecnico di Milano to address a pressing biomedical challenge: the analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) – nanoscale particles released by cells into body fluids, carrying molecular information that can reveal disease processes long before symptoms appear.

Despite their potential, current methods for EV analysis face challenges in resolution, throughput, and reproducibility. Lumnora aims to address these limitations by developing a compact, automated imaging flow cytometer capable of high-resolution, high-throughput EV analysis, powered by AI-driven data interpretation.

The evolution from nanoSCAN to Lumnora highlights several broader impacts of the project:

• Technology translation: The EIC Transition framework enabled the team to move from research prototypes toward a startup-ready platform, bridging academic discovery and real-world biomedical applications.
• Market applicability: By identifying EV analysis as a high-growth, underserved market, Lumnora leverages existing capabilities to create a differentiating and scalable solution.
• Alignment and synergy: Strongly anchored within the nanoSCAN technological vision, Lumnora demonstrates how public-funded research can foster both innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Intersectoral collaboration: The partnership between Politecnico di Milano, IFN‑CNR, ISMO‑CNRS, Abbelight and Laserlab-Europe provides scientific expertise andaccess to resources that supported both research progress and early-stage innovation activities.

Lumnora’s founding team, led by CEO Giulio Coccia, brings together specialists in photonics, microfluidics, biomedical sciences and AI, building on the experience developed within the nanoSCAN consortium. Together, they are shaping Lumnora into a platform capable of transforming EV research and enabling early disease detection, exemplifying the tangible impact of EIC-funded research on European deep-tech entrepreneurship.

Visit Lumnora’s website: lumnora.com

Visit their LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/lumnora