A new era in metabolic monitoring

From patterns to physiology.

Optec4Life is developing a non-invasive Raman-based platform to access physiological and metabolic information from tissue, starting where it matters most: fetal monitoring during labour.

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Concept rendering of the Optec4Life Raman monitoring unit with its optical probe
Concept rendering. Device under development.

Technology

Light in. Physiology out.

Optec4Life combines Raman spectroscopy, dedicated optical probes and machine learning to extract physiological information from optical signals coming from biological tissue.

Raman spectroscopy is a technique that captures molecular and biochemical information from biological tissue without labels.

Advanced computational models transform spectral data into clinically meaningful information in real time.

  1. Contact: a gentle optical probe meets the tissue.
  2. Light in: laser light interacts with the tissue’s molecules. Most light scatters unchanged; a tiny fraction changes colour. That is the Raman signal, a chemical fingerprint of the tissue’s physiology.
  3. Signal: the molecular fingerprint travels through optical fibre.
  4. Physiology out: the spectrum appears on screen in real time, ready to be translated into physiological insight.

From light to insight

Tap or hover each step

  1. Light–tissue interaction

    Laser light interacts with fetal tissue, generating a unique molecular response.

  2. Raman spectral signal

    Inelastic scattering produces a spectral fingerprint of the tissue.

  3. Signal processing

    Advanced algorithms filter and interpret the Raman signal, removing noise.

  4. Machine learning model

    AI models analyse the spectral data to extract physiological and metabolic information.

  5. Physiological information

    Relevant biomarkers and physiological indicators are estimated in real time.

  6. Clinical decision support

    Actionable insights to support safer and more informed clinical decisions.

Projects

One technology. Different frontiers.

We are exploring the potential of Raman-based physiological monitoring across different clinical and performance environments.

  • Lead application

    Fetal

    Continuous Raman monitoring during labour to detect fetal hypoxia and acidosis early.

  • Exploring

    Sport

    Real-time monitoring of physiological and metabolic changes during exercise.

  • Exploring

    ICU

    Continuous physiological and metabolic monitoring of critically ill patients at the bedside.

Our goal: fetal monitoring

Not another interpretation layer. A new information layer.

During labour, clinicians need to detect fetal compromise early while avoiding unnecessary interventions. Electronic fetal monitoring is continuous, but it mainly reflects fetal heart-rate patterns: signals that matter, but are indirect. Is the fetus compensating, or is metabolic compromise progressing?

Many innovations focus on improving the interpretation of existing signals. Optec4Life takes a different approach: a new optical monitoring layer designed to provide physiological and metabolic insight from tissue signals. Not to replace clinicians or current monitoring, but to give them better information when decisions matter most.

Illustration of the optical probe placed on the fetal scalp during labour, with a close-up of the probe tip emitting light Optical probePlaced on the fetal scalp during labour. Raman signalLaser light meets fetal tissue and returns a molecular fingerprint. Real-time analysisThe signal travels by optical fibre for physiological and metabolic analysis.

Designed to measure where it matters

The optical probe is placed on the fetal scalp during labour to acquire Raman signals from fetal tissue, enabling real-time analysis of physiological and metabolic information.

  • Safe and simple to use
  • Designed for the labour room
  • Real-time insights

Current fetal monitoring compared with the Optec4Life approach

  • Heart-rate patternsPhysiological and metabolic insight
  • Indirect proxiesOptical biochemical signals
  • Pattern interpretationObjective decision-support layer
  • Intermittent invasive sampling, when availableNon-invasive continuous monitoring (under development)
  • Uncertainty around true fetal compromiseAdditional information on fetal physiological status

What remains difficult to access todayO₂ statusMetabolic stressAcid–base balancePhysiological trajectory

Current fetal monitoring sees patterns.
Optec4Life aims to reveal physiology.

The challenge is not simply to detect changes in fetal heart-rate patterns, but to understand what they mean physiologically. Continuous metabolic information could give clinicians deeper insight into how the fetus is responding during labour.

The company

A deeptech medtech spin-off from CIC nanoGUNE

Optec4Life was created to translate advanced photonics into clinical tools for real-time decision-making in maternal and fetal medicine.

  • 11People, one shared purpose
  • 3Application areas
  • 7Ecosystem partners
  • DonostiaSan Sebastián, Basque Country
The Optec4Life team outdoors in Donostia-San Sebastián

Team

A multidisciplinary team with a shared purpose

Leadership team

  • Francesc Paris Huguet

    Francesc Paris Huguet

    Chief Executive Officer

    Leading Optec4Life’s strategy, fundraising, partnerships and clinical translation.

  • Jaione Etxebarria

    Jaione Etxebarria

    Chief Technology Officer

    Leading the development of Optec4Life’s Raman-based monitoring platform.

  • Andreas Seifert

    Andreas Seifert

    Chief Scientific Officer

    Expert in optical technologies and nanoengineering applied to biomedical innovation.

  • Ibon Jaunarena

    Ibon Jaunarena

    Chief Medical Officer

    Bringing clinical insight from maternal and fetal medicine into technology development.

Research & development

  • Carmen Martin

    Carmen Martin

    Postdoctoral researcher

  • Itziar Campo

    Itziar Campo

    Predoctoral researcher

  • Carlos Martinez

    Carlos Martinez

    MSc thesis / Predoctoral researcher

  • Saioa González de San Pedro

    Saioa González de San Pedro

    MSc thesis / Predoctoral researcher

  • Bernat Valsells

    Bernat Valsells

    Software Engineer

  • Cindy Mejia

    Cindy Mejia

    Lab Technician

  • Ion

    Ion

    Optec4Life team

A strong ecosystem

Built with a strong clinical and scientific ecosystem

Optec4Life works within an ecosystem of scientific, clinical and institutional partners supporting the development and validation of its technology.

  • CIC nanoGUNE
  • BIOEF – Basque Health Research
  • EIT Health
  • BIC Gipuzkoa
  • SPRI Group
  • CDTI Innovación
  • Fomento de San Sebastián

Contact

From indirect fetal signals to real-time metabolic insight.

We are open to conversations with clinical partners, research collaborators, investors and medtech industry stakeholders. If you are interested in learning more about Optec4Life, please get in touch.

Contact us