The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing up to €20 million in convertible venture debt financing to Tensive, an Italian clinical stage medical technology company developing advanced biomaterials for regenerative medicine applications.
Tensive is an Italian clinical stage advanced biomaterials medical device company developing bioresorbable, biomimetic polymeric scaffolds for breast reconstruction and tissue marking for patients recovering from lumpectomy or undergoing cosmetic procedures. Tensive’s mission is to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life for breast cancer patients worldwide through accessible, innovative, and sustainable solutions.
The financing will support the company’s research and development activities and capital expenditure to advance bioresorbable implants for reconstructive surgery and tissue marking following lumpectomy in breast cancer patients.
The operation is backed by InvestEU and forms part of the EIB Group’s broader support for research, development and innovation in Europe. It will help Tensive pursue its development plan, including product development, clinical trials and early industrialisation activities at its facilities and with partners in Italy
Tensive’s REGENERA™/SOFTAG™ advanced biomaterial is a patented, off-the-shelf, bioresorbable implant designed to be inserted in place of the surgically removed tumour during a lumpectomy procedure. It is placed in a fast one-step, minimally invasive, easy-to-adopt procedure for surgeons.
The patient’s own healthy tissue regrows in the area initially filled by the biomaterial and gradually absorbs it, preserving the patient’s original breast shape and feel from the time of surgery. The implant is clearly differentiated from surrounding tissue on diagnostic imaging, facilitating precisely targeted delivery of radiotherapy and more accurate surveillance and follow-up.
The EIB financing addresses a recognised financing gap for highly innovative clinical-stage medtech companies, which often face limited access to long-term funding because of high development risk, information asymmetries and the lack of traditional collateral.
Supporting European innovation in health, and in women’s health in particular, is central to the EIB Group’s mission. This financing will help Tensive advance its promising regenerative technology, which has the potential to address important unmet medical needs in breast cancer care. Backed by InvestEU, the operation also strengthens Europe’s capacity to develop high value medical technologies and create highly skilled jobs
Gelsomina Vigliotti, EIB Vice President.
By extending Tensive’s financing runway, the operation is expected to support continued investment in research, clinical validation and regulatory activities, while helping to attract additional private capital.
The EIB has examined our clinical evidence and our regulatory file in detail and has committed €20 million to enable us to take REGENERA™ from our recently reported positive pivotal clinical results to a product in the hands of European surgeons. This commitment anchors and catalyses our ongoing equity financing. With first EU regulatory approval anticipated in early 2027, we are one step closer to offering the first natural, lasting solution to women who today have no viable options for reconstruction after breast cancer lumpectomy.
Sanjay Kakkar, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Tensive.
