Hoang Nguyen from QT Sense predicts diseases with nanodiamonds before they're visible

“A diamond as a biosensor. I never thought of that”, recalls Hoang Nguyen his first reaction when he was introduced to Professor Romana Schirhagl's research. Now, two years later, he works with QT Sense to a technology that can show what happens in living cells in real time for the first time. By detecting free radicals with nanodiamonds - the size of one billionth of a millimeter - they make early diagnosis of diseases such as sepsis, Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases possible.

From another startup to quantum sensing

Hoang's path to QT Sense started from another life sciences startup. Two years ago, he helped Professor Romana Schirhagl launch a company. “I always stayed in touch with her after that was done.”

When he left his previous company, he reconnected with Romana and Deepak Veeregowda (now CEO of QT Sense). “They asked if I wanted to join. I was looking for something different and thought: this could be very interesting again.”

What particularly attracted him was the unique technology. “Because you can see what's happening in those cells for the first time, that was the trigger for me to say: let's see how unique this really is and see what we can do with it.”

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We are the first to see what happens in that cell. And we can measure that in real time, in real time, without adding chemicals.

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Quantum sensing with nanodiamonds

The technology sounds like science fiction, but it is a harsh reality. “We use quantum sensing technology. We use an anomaly that is inside a nanodiamond. That is a nitrogen molecule in the diamond. That anomaly acts as an extremely sensitive sensor.”

“We have developed a device that allows a laser beam to pass through the diamond, causing a reaction. Spinning creates a magnetic field that makes certain molecules light up in a cell. Those molecules are free radicals. It's like putting an MRI in a cell.”

Hoang continues: ” They are the first predictors for a particular disease or how your cell responds to medication. So we are the first to see what happens in that cell. And we can measure that in real time, in real time, without adding chemicals.”

The urgency of sepsis

QT Sense first focuses on sepsis, an overreaction of the immune system. “Normally, your immune system would attack cells that don't belong to you. But in this case, it goes into overdrive and your immune system will also attack your own organs.”

The numbers are poignant. “There are approximately 50 million people it happens to each year worldwide. It's the number one cause of death in the world.” This problem is worsened by the fact that organ damage is often irreversible. “Every hour that goes by in failure to diagnose increases the mortality rate by 8 percent.”

From conference table to handheld

In ten years, Professor Romana Schirhagl has raised an enormous amount of research money for quantum sensing research. “What she has done is hugely groundbreaking. She is the only professor who has succeeded in applying this technology to biology and to measure free radicals and oxidative stress in living cells and can also do this in real time.”

The first prototype was impressive but impractical for commercial use. “The first version is the size of a conference table. It is still in the UMCG.” The current prototype is much smaller. “We are now trying to make it an even more user-friendly device. But it all has to be right. It needs to be further validated whether it really does what it should do and whether it could have the added value. We expect so with the first data we received, but it really needs to be tested and rolled out now.”

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My attitude did change after the Academic Startup Competition.

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Broader applications

In addition to sepsis, QT Sense is working on oncology through a partnership with German universities. “We are hereby developing a specific device that can contribute to the treatment of cancer patients. Cardiovascular diseases are also on the roadmap. When plaque forms in veins, you can take a sample of blood and put it in our device and we'll see if something is wrong.” For neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, the technology also offers prospects.

American lessons in thinking big

Through the Academic Startup Competition, Hoang traveled to America. “My attitude has changed since then. We need to go to market much more and get market validation more quickly.”

The scale of American ambitions was particularly impressive. “We were with a company called The Podium. That company consists of two young boys who had a turnover of 250 million dollars last year. They said very relaxed: “We're targeting 1 billion next year.” That was just normal.”

That experience made him realize that Dutch entrepreneurs often think too modestly. “We sometimes forget how big something can become. Perhaps because of the available capital here or the number of exits. I dare to dream a little bigger now.”

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If you're willing to help other people without expecting anything in return, you'll get it back in the future.

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'Pay it forward' philosophy

An important lesson that Hoang learned years ago is: “Pay it forward” principle. “If you're willing to help other people without expecting anything in return, you'll get it back in the future. Maybe not from the same person, but from someone else.” He saw that philosophy reflected in America. “It's about building credibility. When you help each other, something beautiful comes out of it.”

He saw that mentality embodied in Carmen Pop, a Dutch woman who worked in America for Dropbox, LinkedIn and Asana, among others. He met her during the trip to America. “They have such a track record and have gained so much experience. And the fact that she is then willing to help us further set up the company and share her network is wonderful.”

Growth and international ambitions

QT Sense will grow from 6 to 12 to 15 people by the end of the year. “We now also deliver to other continents. That's going in the right direction.”

For sepsis, the research is going well. “Clinical trials are already taking place there at the UMCG and we are now doing pilot projects for drug development. The device is ready but needs further validation. Just the way there to really get it on the market is often very expensive. It takes a lot of money to really get that done.”

The goal is to achieve global implementation in hospitals around 2030-2032. “We want to have a global footprint in hospitals and academia.”

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That is now Mars or Pluto. But that helps enormously in how you can shape the company.

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Shoot for the moon

“Shoot for the moon”, Hoang summarizes the American mentality. “That's now Mars or Pluto. But that helps enormously in how you can shape the company. By putting a point on the horizon.” He brings that new way of thinking to QT Sense. “Thinking big means asking yourself: how big can something be? I want to work on that.”

Hoang's story shows how cutting-edge science is being transformed into a company with global influence. From amazement about nanodiamonds as biosensors to an entrepreneur who strives to increase international scale. With QT Sense, he's on the cusp of diagnostic technology that could save millions of lives.

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Interview & text by Lars Meijer