This world-first solution targets a longstanding blind spot in toxicology: the early and accurate detection of respiratory sensitizers without animal testing.
Invitrolize, a Luxembourg-based biotech startup, has secured seed funding from Expon Capital’s Digital Tech Fund and business angels. Expon Capital lead the investment to accelerate the global rollout of ALIsens®, the first in vitro model capable of identifying respiratory sensitizers under realistic exposure conditions. The model is scalable, reproducible, offers stability, and is cost-effective making it ideal as a standard for regulatory use.
This world-first solution targets a longstanding blind spot in toxicology: the early and accurate detection of respiratory sensitizers without animal testing. ALIsens® introduces the first method with a predictive, ethical, and regulatory-compliant approach to chemical safety – empowering R&D teams across the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical, and consumer goods sectors.
Inhalable chemical compounds are all around us—in everyday products like cosmetics, clothes, medical sprays, pastes, gels, paints, and more. Yet today, there’s no validated way to test their potential to trigger respiratory allergies before they reach the market. It’s a staggering gap in consumer safety—and one that ALIsens® is finally closing.
Finally, a World-First Test to Detect Respiratory
Risks from Inhalable Chemicals — Before It’s
Too Late. No Animal Testing Involved.
Developed over more than a decade of research at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), ALIsens® is already attracting significant market interest. Inbound demand has grown consistently by 200% annually over the past 3 years, with commercial traction building across Europe, the US and Asia.
“With Expon Capital’s support, we’re scaling lab operations in Europe, launching in the US, and preparing for future expansion into Asia,” said Dr. Arno Gutleb, Managing Director of Invitrolize. “We’re also investing in next-gen models and AI-powered tools to extend our lead in respiratory toxicology.”
The Digital Tech Fund investment marks a major milestone for Invitrolize and underscores growing momentum in animal-free toxicology innovation. “This is not just a better model – it’s a leap forward in how industries can protect human health while speeding up product development. We’re thrilled to be backing a world-leading research spin-off from Luxembourg” said Jérôme Wittamer, Managing Partner at Expon Capital.
“This is exactly what tech transfer should look like: cutting-edge science leaving the lab, attracting private capital, and scaling globally. Invitrolize proves that public research can drive market-ready, humane innovation. We’re glad to have Expon Capital driving this next phase of growth,” stated Jurgen Joossens, Deputy CEO of LIST.
As regulatory standards tighten worldwide, Invitrolize is positioned to set a new benchmark for respiratory hazard assessment – delivering faster, more humane, and more accurate results to industry leaders.
Invitrolize started out as a self-funded project by LIST, and was guided through LIST’s internal venture programme, LIST Ventures, and technology acceleration pipeline. Subsequently, the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) funded two projects resulting in a proof of concept / prototype which was then built and patented.
Press release by Expon Capital, May 8 2025
For more information, visit invitrolize.com, ExponCapital.com and LIST.lu.
