Truion GmbH: Award winner 2023/24

"Start-up" category

With the innovation "CatFlux" the Truion GmbH from Münster has developed a completely new procedure for reproductive medicine. It is a CE-marked in-vitro diagnostic that helps doctors to optimise the chances of success of fertility treatment. Truion GmbH originated from a working group in reproductive physiology at Münster University Hospital. "CatFlux", the first diagnostic CatSper test, has only been available for just over a year.

For its sensational development, Truion GmbH received the Münsterland 2023/24 Innovation Award in the "Start-up" category.

Representation of "CatSper"
© Truion GmbH
The Innovation Award is presented
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
Truion GmbH from Münster with laudator Dr Fritz Jaeckel
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting

Help for couples with an unfulfilled desire to have children

If a pregnancy simply won't happen, couples who want to become parents can turn to medical help. However, the causes of involuntary childlessness are varied and are constantly being researched.

"CatFlux", the new diagnostic from Truion GmbH, analyses CatSper, a large protein complex in sperm. This is regarded as the key to the egg: in order to fertilise the egg, the sperm must break through its envelope. If there is a defect in this protein, the man is infertile. Those affected with CatSper-defective sperm are therefore dependent on reproductive medicine to conceive biological children. However, this defect is invisible under the microscope and has not yet been detected in semen analyses.

After years of research, the founders of Truion GmbH found a solution to this problem. "CatFlux" is a disposable product and is read out in laboratories for sperm analysis in parallel with the usual spermiogram. It shows the function of CatSper without the need for additional instrumental infrastructure. Based on the findings, the couple can then start suitable treatments. "CatFlux" thus provides new confidence worldwide on the path to parenthood.

Learn more about the Münsterland Innovation Award