Minamo

Minamo is a B2B deeptech startup from Iceland developing a novel, sustainable coating technology that prevents microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on silicone medical devices. Founded as a spin-off from the University of Iceland by Dr. Vivien Nagy and Prof. Már Másson, Minamo combines cutting-edge scientific research with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and healthcare innovation.

The core of Minamo’s innovation is a patent-protected, non-leaching surface modification that can be easily applied to silicone – one of the most widely used materials in medical devices. Despite silicone's favorable biocompatibility and flexibility, its hydrophobic surface encourages bacterial and fungal adhesion, often leading to serious healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These infections extend hospital stays, strain finances, and in some cases they can be life-threatening. The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens make the treatment of these infections challenging. Existing antimicrobial coatings frequently rely on toxic or drug-leaching technologies, raising safety, regulatory, and environmental concerns.

Minamo’s coating offers a paradigm shift: a water-based, non-toxic, and eco-friendly process that does not require high-energy activation (e.g., ozone or plasma) or the use of harmful chemicals. It is applied as a final step in manufacturing, without the need for specialized equipment, making it cost-effective and easy to integrate into existing production lines. Unlike many competitors, Minamo’s coating does not release any active agents, making it safer for patients and simpler to navigate through regulatory pathways.

The technology has been validated at TRL 4, with prototypes showing significant reduction in bacterial and fungal adhesion and durability under sterilization conditions.

Looking ahead, Minamo’s roadmap aims to reach TRL 7 by 2026 through further R&D, safety and performance testing, and co-development agreements with medical device manufacturers. The company's B2B licensing model enables scalability without high production overhead, while offering device manufacturers a value-added, simple and sustainable innovation to differentiate their products and meet increasing regulatory and market demand for safer, greener solutions. Minamo complies with the EU sustainability initiatives (MDR EU 2017/745).

Minamo is led by Dr. Vivien Nagy (CEO), a pharmaceutical scientist with a decade experience in R&D and advanced materials; and Prof. Már Másson (CSO), a renowned medicinal chemist with over 120 publications and multiple patents. Their long-standing collaboration, shared vision, and complementary strengths in science and business form the backbone of Minamo’s leadership.

In addition to scientific rigor, Minamo embraces values of inclusivity, impact, and sustainability. The company is woman-founded and led, committed to bringing academic discoveries into real-world application for societal benefit. By addressing the global burden of HAIs—responsible for over 90,000 deaths annually in Europe alone—Minamo stands at the intersection of green innovation, patient safety, and future-ready healthcare solutions.