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Aortyx and the EIC Accelerator: A Patch for a Torn Aorta

September 29, 2026834 words5 min

An aortic dissection, is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, the body's main artery. Aortyx, a company founded in 2018 near Barcelona, is developing AX-GEN01, a patch delivered through a catheter that is meant to seal the tear from inside the vessel and let the wall heal over it.

The European Innovation Council granted €2,500,000 towards a €4.26 million project that ran from May 2022 to January 2025. In rams with induced aortic dissections, CORDIS reports "complete neointima formation and maturation on top of the patch" 90 days after implantation, with no thrombosis. In June 2025 Aortyx raised €13.8 million in a Series A led by Ship2B Ventures and Clave Capital to advance the patch "to humans". No human trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.

€2.50MEIC grant, 59% of a €4.26M project
€13.8MSeries A, June 2025
90 daysFull tissue coverage of the patch in animals
0Human trials registered

Company file

Legal entity
Aortyx SL, Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona)
Founded
October 2018
Product
AX-GEN01 endovascular patch for aortic dissection
Investors
Ship2B Ventures, Clave Capital, Nara Capital, EIC Fund, CDTI Innvierte; earlier crowdfunding on Capital Cell
Partners
CIMNE (SIMUPATCH simulation project)
EIC project
AORTYX, 1 May 2022 to 31 Jan 2025
EIC funding
Grant first

Where Aortyx Stands Today

Spanish register data compiled by Empresia show Aortyx active, with three capital increases in July 2025 after the Series A, board changes, a leadership restructuring in February 2026 and a move of headquarters in December 2025. Its news page has not announced a first patient. In April 2021 the company said it had raised €2.4 million in one month on the crowdfunding platform Capital Cell.

The Technology: Sealing the Tear From Inside

According to the CORDIS report, in chronic implantation studies in rams with an aortic dissection model "all implanted patches resisted in place despite the tear", with "minimal signs of inflammation and no signs of thrombosis at the injury site". The team also "scaled-up the manufacturing process of the patch" and developed a catheter "that can be steered in two opposite directions at the same time". Aortyx presented preclinical results at the VEITH vascular symposium in New York in 2022.

"Complete neointima formation and maturation on top of the patch was confirmed 90 days post-implantation."

AORTYX report, CORDIS

What the EIC Project Promised, and What CORDIS Shows

The project promised a "revolutionary vascular repair patch to treat aortic dissections" and to "advance AX-GEN01 through crucial clinical trials". CORDIS reports the animal results and manufacturing work, but no clinical trial or patients.

  1. Animal proof of conceptDeliveredHealing at 90 days in rams.
  2. Manufacturing readinessDeliveredPatch production scaled up.
  3. Clinical trialsNot yetNone registered.
  4. Follow-on capitalDelivered€13.8M Series A.

What Has Happened Since the Award

The Money

The award was "grant first", and the EIC Fund invested later: according to Tech.eu, the €13.8 million Series A in June 2025 was led by Ship2B Ventures and Clave Capital, with Nara Capital, the EIC Fund, Spain's CDTI through Innvierte, business angels and an unnamed "top-five aortic device manufacturer". The aim is to "reach first-in-human testing within two years". The Spanish register puts its annual sales below €500,000.

What cannot be checked

When the first human implant is planned, which regulator will approve the trial, and the identity of the aortic device manufacturer among the Series A investors are not public.

Why Europe Should Care

Aortyx is developing a catheter-delivered patch for aortic dissection. The EIC grant took the patch through animal testing; venture investors have now funded the step into humans.

What the project promised

A revolutionary patch for aortic dissection, taken into clinical trials.

What the record shows

Successful animal studies and a €13.8M Series A; no clinical trial registered yet.

The Verdict

Preclinical success, funded next step

AORTYX did not reach patients during the EIC project, but its animal results were strong enough to attract a €13.8 million Series A. The next milestone is the first implant in a human.

Aortyx has not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on company statements, EU project data and Spanish register information, linked throughout.

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Eureka Network

Eureka Network offers multiple international collaborative R&D programs including Network Projects, Clusters, Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, with funding ranging from €50K to €6.75M per project depending on the specific program. The network focuses on market-driven innovation and deep-tech development across diverse technology sectors including ICT/Digital, Industrial/Manufacturing, Bio/Medical Technologies, Energy/Environment, Quantum, AI, and Circular Economy. Applicants include SMEs, large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and startups, with Eurostars specifically targeting R&D-performing SMEs.

EIC Transition

EIC Transition provides up to €2.5 million in funding to bridge the 'valley of death' between laboratory research and market deployment, focusing on technology maturation and validation. The program supports single legal entities or small consortia of 2-5 partners including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organizations. Technology areas include Health/Medical Technologies, Green/Environmental Innovation, Digital/Microelectronics, Quantum Technologies, and AI/Robotics.

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EIC STEP Scale-Up offers substantial equity investments of €10-30 million for established deep-tech companies ready for hyper-growth and large-scale expansion. The program targets SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employees who have secured pre-commitment from qualified investors. Focus areas include Digital & Deep Tech (Semiconductors, AI, Quantum), Clean Technologies for Net-Zero goals, and Biotechnologies.

EIC Pre-Accelerator

EIC Pre-Accelerator is a pilot program providing €300,000-€500,000 in funding for early-stage deep-tech development and preparation for the EIC Accelerator program. The initiative is exclusively available to single SMEs or small mid-caps from 'Widening countries' to support regional innovation development. The program covers deep-tech innovations across physical, biological, and digital domains.

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EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges is a new pilot program offering €300,000 (Stage 1) and up to €2.5 million (Stage 2) for breakthrough deep-tech solutions through ARPA-style staged funding with demand-side integration. The program targets single entities or small consortia (2-3 partners) including SMEs, start-ups, and research organizations. Focus areas include Physical AI for autonomous robotics and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for animal-free biomedical testing, requiring TRL 4 entry with end-user commitment.

EIC Pathfinder

EIC Pathfinder offers up to €3 million for Open calls and up to €4 million for Challenge-based calls to support early-stage research and development with proof-of-principle validation. The program requires research consortia with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 different countries, including universities, research organizations, and SMEs. Technology focus areas include Health/Medical, Quantum Technologies, AI, Environmental/Energy, and Advanced Materials.

EIC Accelerator

EIC Accelerator provides flexible funding options including blended finance (€2.5M grant + €0.5M-€10M equity), grant-only (up to €2.5M), or equity-only arrangements for scale-up and market deployment of breakthrough innovations. The program targets SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps with up to 499 employees, with MedTech/Healthcare representing 35% of funded projects. Other technology areas include Biopharma, Energy, AI, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors.

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Innovation Partnership facilitates collaborative innovation between public and private sectors with typical funding of €1-5 million per project. The program supports cross-sectoral strategic technologies through public-private partnerships and consortia. Projects focus on addressing societal challenges through collaborative innovation approaches.

Innovation Fund

The EU Innovation Fund provides substantial funding of €7.5 million to €300 million for large-scale demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The program targets clean energy, carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy storage technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Applicants include large companies, consortia, and public entities capable of implementing large-scale demonstration projects.

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Innovate UK offers various programs with funding ranging from £25K to £10M depending on the specific initiative, supporting business-led innovation, collaborative R&D, and knowledge transfer. The organization funds projects across all sectors with particular focus on emerging technologies and supports UK-based businesses, research organizations, and universities. Programs are designed to drive economic growth through innovation and technology commercialization.

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Industrial Partnership provides €2-10 million in funding for industrial research and innovation partnerships focusing on manufacturing, industrial technologies, and digital transformation. The program supports industrial consortia and research organizations in developing collaborative solutions for industrial challenges. Projects aim to strengthen European industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships.

Eurostars

Eurostars is a joint EU-Eureka program offering €50K-€500K for international R&D collaboration specifically led by SMEs. The program takes a bottom-up approach, accepting projects from all technology fields without predefined thematic restrictions. R&D-performing SMEs must lead the consortium and demonstrate significant R&D activities.

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The LIFE Programme provides €1-10 million in funding for environmental protection, climate action, and nature conservation projects across the European Union. The program supports environmental technologies, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Applicants include public authorities, private companies, NGOs, and research institutions working on environmental and climate challenges.

Neotec

Neotec is a Spanish program offering €250K-€1M in funding for technology-based business creation and development, supporting the growth of innovative Spanish SMEs and start-ups. The program covers all technology sectors and aims to strengthen Spain's technology ecosystem. Funding is specifically targeted at Spanish technology-based SMEs and start-ups to enhance their competitiveness and market presence.

Thematic Priorities

EU Thematic Priorities encompass various programs aligned with EU strategic priorities including green transition, digital transformation, health, and security initiatives. Funding amounts vary based on the specific program and call requirements, with projects designed to address key European challenges. Applicant eligibility varies by specific program and call, with different requirements for different thematic areas.
EIC AcceleratorBeneficiary Deep Dive#Aortyx#aortic dissection#vascular surgery#endovascular devices#biomaterials#medical devices#clinical trials#Spain
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