How 4Dcell's beating heart cells caught attention at EIC Corporate Day

4Dcell Joins Forces with 26 European Startups at the EIC Corporate Partnership Event

4Dcell recently participated in the EIC Multi-Corporate Day in Brussels, held from October 8 to 9, 2025. We joined 26 European startups to showcase our innovative SmartHeart cardiac testing platform. This event attracted representatives from major corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Air Liquide, Chiesi Group, Merck Group, and Nestlé. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with leaders in the pharmaceutical and consumer goods sectors, all eager to explore advancements in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and industrial solutions.

The EIC Corporate Partnership Programme

The EIC Corporate Partnership Programme is a remarkable initiative that grants startups access to over 6,000 pre-selected EIC-backed scaleups across Europe. This extensive network spans various sectors, including health, energy, quantum technology, and sustainability. The structured format of the event features expert coaching, targeted pitches, and one-on-one meetings with corporate stakeholders. This setup allows us to explore potential pilots and co-development projects effectively.

The business acceleration activities provided curated access to high-level corporate stakeholders. We received structured preparation ahead of our pitches and engaged in post-activity follow-ups to convert discussions into tangible trials and collaborations.

Our involvement in the EIC Corporate Day was made possible thanks to our participation in the POLINA project. This support allowed us to engage directly with European corporate leaders, showcase our technology, and explore collaborative opportunities that accelerate the translation of innovative cardiac testing solutions.

SmartHeart Technology

The SmartHeart design is an easy-to-use in vitro heart model that requires a minimal number of cells. Each well contains nine rings, ensuring precise data points while allowing for high-resolution imaging. This innovative model is described as a 3D in vitro heart model that faithfully reproduces in vivo physiology, enabling precise efficacy and cardiotoxicity measurements.

The hydrogel shape creates a microenvironment that allows cells to sediment and aggregate into a beating ring within hours. This feature makes it suitable for testing new compounds or assessing the toxicity of drugs targeting various pathologies. Additionally, the SmartHeart model can be easily scaled to meet high-throughput screening requirements.

Corporate Partnerships

The Multi-Corporate Day format provided us with invaluable opportunities for one-on-one meetings with corporate experts. These discussions focused on exploring potential pilots, co-development projects, and strategic partnerships. After receiving targeted coaching and proposal reviews from experts brought in by the EIC, we were well-prepared to pitch our technology.

Participating corporations gain access to a pipeline of over 6,000 pre-selected EIC-backed scaleups in Europe. This extensive network covers all verticals, including health, energy, quantum technology, and sustainability.

What's Next for 4Dcell

The event highlighted fast-moving consumer goods, healthcare, and industrial challenges. The participating startups ranged from biodiversity monitoring to micro-physiological models for drug development. We are excited about the potential collaborations that may arise from this event.

Our focus remains on advancing biotechnology and human-relevant models. We are also exploring AI-enabled industrial optimization and circular packaging solutions. The 26 selected innovators presented solutions to current industry challenges, showcasing the potential for impactful change.

About the EIC Corporate Day

The EIC Corporate Partnership Programme connects innovative companies like ours with global leaders in healthcare and life sciences. At the Innovation Roundtable in Brussels on October 8-9, we presented directly to decision-makers from companies such as Procter & Gamble, Air Liquide, Chiesi Group, and Nestlé. These companies are actively seeking the kind of innovations we are developing.

In conclusion, our participation in the EIC Multi-Corporate Day was a significant step forward for 4Dcell. We are committed to becoming the leading provider of advanced, ethical, and reproducible in vitro models. Our goal is to help biomedical researchers accelerate drug discovery and toxicology studies while significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This event has opened new doors for collaboration and innovation, and we look forward to the future with optimism.