S4DX Launches First UK Pilot, Strengthening Position in Rapidly Evolving Blood Diagnostics Market

Katalysen Ventures AB (publ) (“Katalysen”) is pleased to announce that its portfolio venture and core investment S4DX GmbH (“S4DX”) has launched its first pilot project in the United Kingdom, marking a major milestone in the company’s European expansion and a key step toward redefining quality standards for blood diagnostics.

Every year, an estimated 6–9 billion blood samples are taken worldwide, a figure growing by around 7 percent annually, driven by preventive healthcare, aging populations, and the expansion of data-driven medicine. Yet the pre-analytical phase, the crucial period between collection and analysis, remains a fragile link in ensuring reliable results. This is precisely where S4DX delivers unique value.

Earlier this week, S4DX shipped 180 SmartTubes to its newest UK partner, marking the start of live operations in the country. The company has recently secured multiple new UK customers, among them a major hospital trust, with onboarding now underway across hospitals and laboratories nationwide.

The timing is ideal. UK laboratories are under growing regulatory pressure as they transition to ISO 15189:2022, which requires full traceability and evidence-based control in the pre-analytical phase. Across the National Health Service (NHS), healthcare providers are increasingly seeking solutions that can document sample integrity from collection to laboratory arrival, a capability that lies at the core of S4DX’s technology.

“We see this UK pilot as a strong early signal of accelerating demand,” says Tobias Mathiasen at Katalysen. “The UK is moving fastest in tightening quality standards, and S4DX’s platform offers precisely the digital traceability those standards now require. The timing is excellent, not least with Christian Holmer recently joining Katalysen as an advisor to support the growth of both S4DX and QuTEM, bringing decades of global healthcare leadership to our network. We expect the UK to become a key growth driver before similar regulations in the EU create the next major wave of adoption.”

Evidence-Based Pre-Analytics for Blood Samples

S4DX provides a hybrid software and hardware solution that bridges the gap between blood sample collection and laboratory analysis. Each SmartTube continuously records parameters such as time, temperature, and shock during transport, giving laboratories real-time, verifiable pre-analytical data integrated directly into their information systems.

The technology is already deployed across twelve countries, is CE-approved, and distributed both directly and through partnerships with global leaders in in-vitro diagnostics, including Beckman Coulter and Roche, and also in integrations into projects with Siemens Healthineers systems.

Positioned for Growth

S4DX has evolved from an innovation concept into a proven enabler of safer, more efficient diagnostics. By ensuring full pre-analytical transparency, the company enhances patient safety, reduces laboratory costs, and increases the value proposition of its IVD partners, enabling them to offer more reliable, data-backed diagnostic services to healthcare systems such as the NHS.

“For the global diagnostics industry, S4DX’s platform is increasingly strategic,” continues Tobias Mathiasen. “It transforms traditional diagnostic instruments into part of a verifiable, traceable chain, creating significant value for healthcare providers and positioning S4DX as an attractive partner and potential acquisition target for major industry players.”

Over the past year, S4DX has reached a clear stage of product-market fit. What once required active outreach is now driven by inbound demand, with both customers and strategic partners seeking collaboration. This shift underlines the strength of the company’s solution and reflects the growing recognition of pre-analytical traceability as a new quality standard in diagnostics.

Part of Katalysen’s Core Investment Portfolio

S4DX is one of Katalysen’s five core investments, which together represent more than 70 percent of the company’s total portfolio value. These core holdings are characterized by strong technology foundations and significant scaling potential. As an active, collaborative partner, Katalysen supports its ventures with capital, expertise, and strategic guidance to unlock long-term value.

About S4DX

S4DX GmbH is a Munich-based medtech company dedicated to closing the pre-analytical data gap in blood diagnostics. Combining smart sensors, software, and cloud integration, S4DX ensures complete visibility of every blood sample’s journey from collection to laboratory. Founded after seven years of R&D, the company’s mission is simple: to ensure every sample counts, safely, efficiently, and transparently.