Basque R&D accelerates smart in vitro diagnostics at Biospain 2026

Technology centre Tekniker will showcase its capabilities in smart in vitro diagnostics (IVDR) at the event, which will take place in Bilbao from 29 September to 1 October.

Smart in vitro diagnostics combines traditional laboratory tests, such as blood, urine and sweat analysis, with advanced sensing and data analytics technologies. This enables medical information to be processed at high speed, reduces human error and supports more personalised treatments.

Technology centre Tekniker, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) and a key player in the Basque Country’s R&D ecosystem, will present its solutions and projects in this innovative diagnostic field at the next edition of the international Biospain exhibition, to be held from 29 September to 1 October at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC).

At its exhibition area within the AseBio stand (Stand No. 66), the organisation will showcase its health-related technological capabilities through a value proposition designed to meet the needs of biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical firms, medtech businesses and organisations seeking to accelerate the design, validation and scaling of new healthcare products.

“Our aim is to establish ourselves as a leading partner in transferring innovation to the market and to the life sciences industrial ecosystem,” said Iban Arriola, Head of Health at Tekniker.

Tekniker develops optical and electrochemical sensors capable of rapidly detecting a wide range of molecules and microorganisms relevant to human health, even at very low concentrations. These technologies make it possible to identify blood proteins, bacteria, viruses and harmful molecules in human, agri-food and environmental samples.

Specifically, the centre is working on the development of electrochemical and photonic biosensors based on micro- and nanotechnologies. The objective is to bring laboratory analytical capabilities closer to the point of care through low-cost portable devices that enable rapid diagnosis. These devices are designed to deliver reliable results and ensure scalability from laboratory development to industrial production.

The application of these technologies can be seen in collaborative industrial projects with companies such as iLine, Biolan, Erreka Medical and Ayesa, as well as in a range of demonstrators and components that will be presented during the event.

Among them is the microINR Expert, a professional coagulometer capable of determining PT/INR values. Its intuitive software is complemented by multiple connectivity options and comprehensive traceability of results.

The BIO 7000 will also be showcased. This portable, connected analytical device is based on biosensor technology and enables the accurate, rapid and straightforward quantification of key parameters within the food and healthcare industries.

In addition, visitors will be able to discover microfluidic chips with integrated electrodes based on thin-film technology. Developed within the E-SENS initiative, these devices are designed for the detection of bacteria in agri-food, environmental and human sample matrices. The technologies have been progressively designed and validated under conditions that increasingly reflect real-world operating environments.

“Our technologies have been developed for detection in operational environments, where the detection system has first been validated using pure samples, then spiked samples and finally real samples. For example, work has been carried out using human serum, plasma, tear and nasopharyngeal samples. Food products such as surimi sticks, prawns and octopus have also been tested, together with spiked samples of dairy products, salmon, ham and pâté,” explained Santos Merino, Researcher at Tekniker.

Regulatory requirements

One of the main challenges facing the biosciences and healthcare sector is meeting regulatory requirements while simultaneously reducing the time needed to bring new solutions to market.

In this context, Tekniker’s participation in Biospain aims to highlight its role as a technological partner for industry, providing expertise and capabilities throughout every stage of device development, from research to commercial manufacturing.

The centre holds ISO 13485 certification for the design and development of medical devices and has extensive experience in key regulatory frameworks such as the European In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) and the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). This combination of technological expertise and regulatory knowledge enables Tekniker to support companies throughout the entire product development process, reducing risks from the earliest stages, validating prototype performance and reliability, and ensuring industrial scalability and successful market entry.

Presence in the conference programme

Beyond its exhibition presence, Tekniker will also take part in the Biospain 2026 conference programme, specifically in the round table entitled “One Health Diagnostics: Rapid Detection and Characterisation of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria to Enable Next-Generation Antimicrobials”.

The session, scheduled for 30 September at 16:00, will address vaccine development, the rapid diagnosis of resistance genes and rapid phenotypic detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Discussions will focus on the use of advanced sensors and portable devices capable of supporting clinical decision-making.

“Innovation in the healthcare and biosciences sector requires coordinated cooperation among all stakeholders within the ecosystem. In this model, technology centres provide technological development, companies transform these solutions into commercial products, hospitals enable clinical validation with real patients, and public administrations facilitate the funding frameworks required,” concluded Santos Merino.