Transferring Chemical Research to a Spin-off Initiative in Health Care: The Lipidomic Approach

Lipidomics is an emerging discipline in life sciences related to the lipid metabolism of living organisms. In the last decade chemical and biological research has attributed very important roles to membrane phospholipids in relationship to free radical stress and metabolic situations. An entrepreneurial initiative for diagnostic tools and health care products in the field of lipidomics started two years ago in Italy as a spin-off company of the National Council of Research. This paper presents an overview of the lipidomic approach applied in the company with regard to the metabolic and functional status of cell membranes, including the development of medical diagnostic tools and an innovative consultancy for nutraceutical companies. The authors also comment on the entrepreneurial experience of the Italian researchers.