Swiss MedTech Startup HeroSupport Secures CE Mark for VENUS SHELL™
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On International Women’s Day, HeroSupport, a University of Geneva spinoff, announced that its first medical device, VENUS SHELL™, has received CE Mark certification and is now authorised for marketing across the European Union and Switzerland.
The CE mark confirms compliance with all applicable EU health, safety, and environmental standards. It enables deployment in hospitals and radiation oncology centres that have already expressed strong interest, as the solution enhances treatment precision and operational efficiency using existing radiotherapy systems.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, with 1 in 8 women developing the disease during their lifetime. In 2022 alone, approximately 2.2 million women were newly diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 700,000 lost their lives to the disease. Incidence rates continue to rise, with projections indicating a 40% increase by 2040, including a growing number of younger patients. As survival rates improve, reducing long-term side effects and preserving quality of life have become central challenges in breast cancer care.
A Personalised, Precision-Based Approach to Radiotherapy
VENUS SHELL™ is the first personalised, 3D-printed breast immobilisation device designed specifically for prone radiotherapy. Each device is created from an individual patient’s anatomical model using advanced scanning and additive manufacturing technologies.
The solution is delivered in combination with a patented imaging table for patient’s shell modelling and a dedicated treatment table engineered to accommodate the shell.
This unique combination allows clinicians to treat the patient in an optimal position, the prone position, where the patient lies face down. In this position, the treated breast hangs through a cut-out in the treatment table, supported by VENUS SHELL™, separating it from the thoracic region and increasing the distance from the heart and lungs, which helps reduce their radiation exposure compared with the standard supine (face-up) position.
By ensuring highly precise and reproducible positioning, VENUS SHELL™:
- Reduces radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue
- Enhances treatment accuracy
- Shortens the duration and number of sessions
- Improves patient comfort and dignity
Beyond the benefits demonstrated by clinical studies, VENUS SHELL™ is designed to improve dignity, comfort, and modesty, supporting women not only physically but also emotionally, during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
“To maximise both effectiveness and safety, we believe every woman deserves care that is as unique as she is — yet simple for clinicians to use,” said Giovanna Dipasquale, CEO and Co-Founder of HeroSupport. “With VENUS SHELL™, we combine advanced 3D technology with a deep commitment to human-centred care, supporting women throughout one of the most challenging journeys of their lives.”
A Major Milestone for Swiss Innovation
Receiving CE Mark certification represents a pivotal milestone for HeroSupport, a spin-off from the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) focused on improving cancer care. Following seven years of research, development, and clinical validation, the company is now entering a commercial expansion phase and setting collaborations with leading hospitals.
“We are proud to collaborate with HeroSupport and look forward to bringing VENUS SHELL™ into clinical use across our network. Radiotherapy demands the highest level of accuracy, and solutions that improve precision and individualisation represent a meaningful advancement for our patients,” said Prof. Oscar Matzinger, CMO of Swiss Medical Network. “Because precision matters!”
To accelerate deployment across Switzerland and EU markets, HeroSupport is actively engaging with strategic partners and investors to scale operations and clinical integration in 2026.
About HeroSupport
HeroSupport SA is a Swiss MedTech spin-off from the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), developing next-generation radiotherapy solutions. The company addresses the
fast-growing global oncology market with innovative technologies designed to improve precision, safety, and patient experience.
➡️ Source: Press Release | 📸 ©HeroSupport SA