Wara Samar
3rd June 2025
Back Pain is Disabling Millions — MDsim’s €2.3M Seed Round Could Help Change that
Back pain affects nearly every aspect of life. It disrupts work, limits mobility, and undermines well-being. It’s also astonishingly common: in 2020, over 619 million people around the world were living with low back pain. By 2050, that number is projected to rise to 843 million, making it not only a widespread issue but also the leading cause of disability globally.
Despite its prevalence, back pain has long suffered from one-size-fits-all treatments and delayed intervention. That’s what the team at MDsim is working to change.
A Digital Twin for the Spine
The Luxembourg-based startup just closed a €2.3 million seed funding round to bring its platform, SPINEsim, to market. It’s a software-based system that creates AI-driven, patient-specific digital twins of the spine with the goal of helping clinicians prevent spinal degeneration and improve the way spine surgeries are planned.
What makes the platform different is its focus on simulation and prediction. Using biomechanical modeling and real patient data, SPINEsim gives surgeons a way to test outcomes before any procedure is done.
Backed by Deep Tech and Health-Focused Investors
The seed round was led by Kadmos Capital, a UK-based VC focused on deep tech. Astorg Philanthropy Investments, through the Fondation Roi Baudouin, also backed the company, along with dozens of angel investors and family offices. Interest was so high that MDsim decided to open up part of the round to retail investors through Capital Cell, a crowdfunding platform dedicated to health startups. More than 75 individuals participated.
“From the moment we met the founders, it was clear they were building an impactful company. At Kadmos, we were impressed by MDSim’s approach in building simulations to predict spinal conditions using a combination of computer modeling, data and AI, amplified by Richard’s unparalleled expertise in spine surgery combined with Roger’s infectious drive, relentless energy and operational experience, we had no hesitation in backing their bold and ambitious mission,” said Remy Kesrouani, Managing Partner at Kadmos Capital.
“We are thrilled and honored by the trust shown by Kadmos Capital, Astorg Philanthropy Investments, and our international community of angel investors, friends and family,” said Roger Assaker, Co-founder and CEO of MDsim. “This funding marks a crucial milestone in our journey to deliver patient-specific digital twin technologies that empower clinicians and optimize spine surgery outcomes.”
From Aerospace Engineering to Spine Care
Roger Assaker doesn’t come from a traditional MedTech background. He’s an aerospace engineer and tech entrepreneur with a long track record in simulation software for the automotive and aerospace industries. Assaker found inspiration and guidance in the vibrant, collaborative environment of health innovation events like MedTech Malta, where he discovered a deeply connected ecosystem of mission-driven entrepreneurs, investors, and clinical partners.
“Coming from aerospace and auto, I’ve always been drawn to high-precision, high-impact technologies,” Assaker said. “What struck me at MedTech World was how welcoming and purpose-driven the industry is. It’s not just about innovation — it’s about people’s lives. That’s the energy we’ve carried into building MDsim.”
Making Spine Surgery Smarter
The newly raised capital will help the team launch the first commercial version of SPINEsim and continue developing its pipeline of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) products. The focus is on using advanced simulations and AI to give clinicians better tools to make decisions tailored to each individual’s spine — not just based on static imaging but on how that spine actually moves, reacts, and degrades under stress.
With global back pain numbers continuing to climb, the need for smarter, more personalized tools is urgent. For MDsim, the solution lies in bridging the gap between engineering and medicine and in making back care proactive rather than reactive.
Are You the Next Big Thing in MedTech?
If you’re a healthtech startup aiming to boost your visibility, attract funding, or connect with influential investors, MedTech Malta 2025 is where you need to be. Taking place from 12 to14 November, this flagship event gathers global leaders from diagnostics, digital health, medical devices, and therapeutics, each on the lookout for game-changing innovation.
Whether you’re in growth mode or just starting out, this is your chance to pitch, network, and build momentum. Register your interest now and take a decisive step toward lasting partnerships and real-world results.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
