Pregnolia secures EIC funding to advance preterm birth prediction

Preterm birth remains a growing challenge across Europe. Each year, an estimated 60,000 to 65,000 women deliver prematurely, and the trend continues to rise. In Switzerland, six to seven out of every 100 babies are born before term. Beyond the medical risks for newborns, preterm birth places a heavy emotional strain on families and generates substantial healthcare costs. Swiss startup Pregnolia aims to address this issue with technology designed to predict the risk of premature delivery.

Founded and led by Sabrina Badir, the medtech Pregnolia has developed a diagnostic system that enables physicians to assess the risk of preterm birth in pregnant women. By supporting earlier and more informed clinical decisions, the technology seeks to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes while reducing avoidable medical interventions and costs.

The company has now secured funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) through the EIC Accelerator program. The grant underscores the European Union’s recognition of the importance of medical technologies focused on women’s health, particularly during pregnancy.

For Pregnolia, a Venture Kick winner, Venture Leaders Life Science participant, and Top100 Swiss Startup for five consecutive years, the EIC Accelerator Grant marks a step forward from research toward broader clinical application. According to Sabrina Badir, the funding also enabled the successful completion of the company’s third financing round, bringing the total raised to CHF 3.4 million.

"Venture Kick transformed us from ETH scientists into entrepreneurs and laid the foundation for Pregnolia, enabling us to bring innovation into clinical care to improve the lives of mothers and their babies," highlighted Sabrina Badir.


Sabrina Badir, founder of Pregnolia