Innovative health technologies from the sea are taking shape in the Kiel region. In order to transfer knowledge from marine research into medical applications, the BlueHealthTech innovation alliance brings together regional partners from science, healthcare and business. One of many impressive examples is the company osteolabs, which aims to enable life-saving early diagnoses for numerous diseases.

The GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel is renowned worldwide for its groundbreaking research expeditions to some of the most remote corners of the planet. But marine science at GEOMAR extends far beyond the study of physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes in the ocean. In recent years, biomedical research has emerged as an increasingly prominent focus for GEOMAR’s scientists.

BlueHealthTech connects two worlds

“At first glance, these two worlds may seem unrelated: marine research on the one hand, and medicine on the other. Yet, these two fields can greatly benefit from fruitful, interdisciplinary cooperation,” says Anton Eisenhauer, Professor of Marine Environmental Geochemistry at GEOMAR and coordinator of BlueHealthTech, the alliance for innovative health technologies from the sea. The alliance in the greater Kiel area has been funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with up to 15 million euros since the end of 2021 – initially for six years as part of the ‘WIR! – Wandel durch Innovation in der Region’ program.

In addition to GEOMAR, Stryker Trauma GmbH, the University Medical Centre Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) and the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel are among the initiators of the alliance. The aim is to develop and commercially exploit new diagnostic approaches from marine research for the early detection of chronic diseases, as well as biochemically active ingredients as the basis for new drugs derived from marine organisms. The network focuses on the most common chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, hypertension and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.In the first funding phase of BlueHealthTech, four calls for project ideas were issued, resulting in the launch of ten research projects, with four still awaiting approval.

Early Detection of Osteoporosis and Prostate Cancer

A prime example of the surprising diversity of applications for innovations from the sea is provided by diagnostics specialist osteolabs GmbH. Founded in 2018 by Professor Anton Eisenhauer, the GEOMAR spin-off uses trace elements in the human body as biomarkers for the early detection of calcium imbalances in the bones. Initially, Eisenhauer’s team focused on developing and marketing a test for calcium loss, making it suitable for the early detection of osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease. “But in recent years, it has become clear how versatile our biochemical test is,” says Eisenhauer. Many hormonal disorders, such as thyroid disease and cancer, also affect bone mineral balance, so the osteolabs test can be easily adapted and extended to other diseases. “For example, together with the Institute of Clinical Chemistry, we are currently developing a test for the early detection of bone metastases in prostate cancer,” adds the osteolabs founder.

The Kiel-based company is also working on a test for diagnosing kidney dysfunction. “The great thing about our test platform is that it can detect calcium balance disorders long before symptoms appear. In addition to its high sensitivity, the strength of the biomarker lies in its stable and less complex operation, based on inorganic chemistry,” explains Eisenhauer.

How the osteoporosis test works

The idea behind the test stems from coral research at GEOMAR. The calcium isotope marker (CIM) technology uses the ratio of the isotopes Ca-44 and Ca-42 as a measure of the bone mineral balance. Although the mineralogy of coral reefs and the human skeleton are different, their main component is calcium. A loss of the substance is reflected in a low CIM value, which is determined by mass spectrometry. With just a little blood or urine, the Osteotest, newly developed by osteolabs, can be used to determine the personal risk of metabolic bone disease from home. Eisenhauer and his team received the 2023 Innovation Award from the City of Kiel for the development of the innovative, non-invasive early detection test.

Even though the company is still small, the methods and laboratory routines are already well established at GEOMAR. The mass spectrometer runs around the clock to analyse the urine samples sent in for the OsteoTest kit. According to Eisenhauer, more than 5,500 of these kits have been sold to date. To significantly boost sales, the Kiel-based company is currently striving for recognition as a guideline-compliant diagnostic test. 

Application in everyday clinical practice – and beyond

On the way to guideline recognition, data from validation studies are helpful. The osteolabs team recently presented the results of a large-scale clinical study in the scientific journal Bone, demonstrating the practical suitability of the test. Together with Michael Müller, senior consultant at the UKSH, around 3,000 patient samples were analysed in the OsteoGeo study. The data prove the reliability and reproducibility of the test; it also shows that the CIM value correlates strongly with various metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis and is therefore a reliable method for early detection and therapy support.

A large number of collaborations demonstrate the potential applications of the test. In a recent study with Ingo Froböse, a professor at the German Sport University in Cologne, the test was used on 38 young football players before and after intensive training. This allows for early detection and monitoring of calcium loss and bone loss in the players, helping to prevent later illnesses. Since female soldiers, in particular, suffer from calcium loss due to intensive training more significantly than their male peers, the British Army also uses the test to monitor the mineral balance of its female soldiers, strengthen their physical resilience in demanding situations and reduce the risk of bone fractures during critical moments.

The future of BlueHealthTech

Following the successful first funding phase, BlueHealthTech is now heading into its second round. Applications for an extension until 2028 have been submitted.

Various strategies will be explored to solidify the network and its activities: A commercialization company could, for example, support the spin-off and the exploitation of research results and patents. Other options, such as a non-profit foundation or a non-profit limited company, are also under consideration to help lead the BlueHealthTech strategy into the future, beyond state funding.

Text: Christian Kähler, Philipp Graf

Featured image: Brand ambassador Heike Henkel and Anton Eisenhauer at the institute’s aquarium. © osteolabs