Vision

Every year, women die during childbirth in low-resource settings because oxytocin — a medicine that could save them — must be kept cold to remain effective. In many rural clinics, reliable refrigeration simply does not exist. The result is not just tragic loss of life, but also wasted supply, logistical burdens, and high costs for health systems that can least afford them.

We have invented a breakthrough carrier material that now makes it possible to stabilize medicines like oxytocin at room temperature. The benefits go far beyond extending shelf life: fewer supply-chain failures, reduced need for costly refrigeration infrastructure, less waste from spoiled drugs, and safer handling thanks to not needing needles and less medical waste. Health workers can focus more on care and less on logistics.

And yet, because oxytocin is inexpensive and refrigeration is not a barrier in developed countries, traditional venture capital sees little incentive. Pharma companies are slow to act, and the high costs of clinical validation discourage innovators. This is where impact investment matters.

With the right backing, shelf-stable medicines could prevent a lot of maternal deaths each year, while also strengthening fragile health systems by easing logistical challenges. The science is ready — what’s needed is the capital to bring it to the people who need it most.

Trebsijg is an engineer and entrepreneur whose work has long centered on medical and human-interactive technologies. Through his company, InteSpring BV in the Netherlands, and a new base at Impact Hub Munich, his focus has been on electronics, embedded systems, and robotics that connect directly to people’s needs. Alongside these ventures runs a lifelong cornerstone project: using advanced materials to improve access to essential medicines. It is this mission that forms the heart of today’s falafel pitch.