Rafael Cortés, CTO of RedBeat: "Anticipate the problem, not the symptom. This is how we approach heart failure with the support of CDTI Innovation"

In heart failure, the problem is not always the lack of treatment but the lack of time. Many patients arrive at the hospital when their condition has already deteriorated significantly, in advanced phases of decompensation that could have been detected earlier.

“We saw time and time again how patients who could have stabilized in time ended up in hospital because there was no tool capable of really anticipating those episodes,” explains Rafael Cortés, CTO of RedBeat, at the head of the hardware development of the device.

This situation reveals a structural limitation of the care model: the difficulty in continuously monitoring the patient's evolution and acting before the symptoms appear. Faced with this, technology opens the door to a change of focus, in which monitoring becomes a preventive tool.
 

Measuring is not enough: the importance of the moment and the context

The follow-up of patients with cardiovascular risk continues to be based, to a large extent, on timely measurements carried out in clinical settings. Among them, the biomarker NT-proBNP is one of the most relevant indicators to assess the state of the heart, but its use remains limited to the hospital setting. "This means that many clinical decisions are made with low data frequency or when the patient already has obvious symptoms," says Cortés.

Faced with this reality, the challenge is not only to measure, but to do so continuously and with information that really provides clinical value. "We realized that the problem was not just measuring, but doing it on time and with relevant information. That’s where we decided to shift the focus from a reactive model to a preventive one.”

This paradigm shift—from reaction to anticipation—is the backbone of the RedBeat project.
 

From clinical practice to a technological solution

RedBeat was born in 2023 from a need detected in daily medical practice by Dr. Iris Rodríguez, cardiologist and co-founder of the company. Based on this clinical experience, a multidisciplinary team is formed that combines research, technological development and health knowledge.

In its early stages, RedBeat, with the support of CDTI Innovation, begins the development of an intelligent device with biosensors and artificial intelligence that monitors cardiovascular constants and biomarkers in real time. "The project stems from something quite straightforward: seeing that many patients with heart failure arrive at the hospital in already advanced stages of decompensation," explains Cortés.

The development of the solution has been possible thanks to the combination of different profiles: from the design of the physical device to the creation of the digital platform that allows to interpret the data. "From the technological side, we have focused on the development of monitoring hardware, while in parallel we have built a platform capable of processing, interpreting and presenting the data to the healthcare professional."

This comprehensive approach has allowed us to build a solution aimed not only at measuring, but also at providing useful information for clinical decision making.
 

A device that extends the ability to anticipate

The result is a wearable heart monitoring device that integrates the measurement of the biomarker NT-proBNP with other vital constants such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation or weight. "The solution seeks to address a critical need: the early detection of decompensations in patients at risk of heart failure," explains Cortés. "NT-proBNP is one of the most relevant biomarkers in cardiology, but its measurement is currently limited to hospital settings."

By moving this capacity to the point of care, the system allows more frequent and accessible measurements, facilitating more continuous patient monitoring. "This makes it easier to intervene earlier, reducing hospitalizations and improving patient evolution."

But one of the differential elements of the project is its integrated approach. "The main value is to have a complete view of the patient, not based on a single piece of data," he says. "A biomarker like NT-proBNP is very potent but its interpretation improves significantly when combined with other variables."

This combination of data makes it possible to identify patterns and trends that would not be evident if analyzed in isolation, thus improving the ability to anticipate.
 

Detail of the wearable device developed by RedBeat, which integrates biosensors for the measurement of NT-proBNP and other vital constants

Artificial intelligence to understand the evolution of the patient

The device relies on a digital platform that analyzes the collected information and transforms it into useful clinical knowledge through the use of artificial intelligence. "Here the key is not so much artificial intelligence per se but what it allows to do with the data," explains Cortés.

The system analyzes the temporal evolution of the parameters and detects deviations from the usual state of each patient. "The platform analyzes the temporal evolution of the parameters, detects deviations from the patient's baseline status and helps identify risk situations before they become critical."

This approach makes it possible to incorporate a predictive dimension into clinical follow-up, based on trends and not only on timely measurements. In addition, it facilitates a personalized follow-up. "Each patient has a different evolution. This makes it easier for healthcare professionals to better prioritize, optimize their time and make risk-based decisions.”
 

From hospital to home: a new form of follow-up

The portable and accessible nature of the device allows its use both in hospitals and in home environments, which opens up new possibilities in healthcare. "It allows us to move from a medicine based on episodes —when the patient goes to the hospital— to one based on continuous follow-up," says Cortés.

This change of model not only improves the early detection of complications, but also contributes to a more efficient management of health resources.

RedBeat’s digital platform for continuous patient monitoring, which integrates vital signs and biomarkers to facilitate clinical decision making
 

Clinical validation and international collaboration

The development of the device is being carried out in collaboration with hospitals and research centers, allowing the technology to be validated in real clinical environments.

"Collaborations are being fundamental to validate the technology in a real clinical environment," explains Cortés. Among the centers involved are the CHUAC, SERGAS or INIBIC, where comparative tests with reference laboratory methods are being carried out.

"We are moving forward in phases where we compare our results with laboratory methods, and we hope to expand the number of patients to obtain more robust data."

This validation process is key to ensuring the reliability of the system and its integration into clinical practice.
 

The role of the CDTI Innovation: making technological development possible

The project has been supported by the NEOTEC program of the CDTI Innovation, a support that has been key to addressing the development of a complex technology at an early stage. "The support of the CDTI has been key to being able to address technological development of this level," says Cortés.

Thanks to this momentum, the company has been able to advance in parallel in different areas, from hardware development to clinical validation. "It has allowed us to advance in parallel in hardware, digital platform and clinical validation, something especially complex in early stages."

The advances made include electromagnetic compatibility tests, which are fundamental in the field of medical devices. "We have performed these tests with very positive results, which reinforces the technical robustness of the device at this stage."

In addition, institutional support has facilitated collaboration with other ecosystem actors. "Having the support of CDTI Innovation brings credibility to the project and facilitates collaboration with hospitals and research centers."
 

Innovation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals

The development of technologies such as RedBeat is part of a broader transformation of the healthcare system, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In particular, the project contributes to SDG 3 (Health and well-being) by improving the early detection and monitoring of cardiovascular diseases. It also promotes SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the development of advanced technological solutions in the medical field, and promotes SDG 10 (Reduction of inequalities) by bringing diagnostic and monitoring tools beyond the hospital environment.

In this way, technological innovation also becomes a lever to move towards a more accessible, efficient and sustainable healthcare system.
 

Scaling Prevention: Next Steps

For the future, RedBeat will continue to advance the clinical validation of the device, expanding the number of patients under study and strengthening the reliability of the system.

In parallel, the company works on the optimization of the device and on the evolution of its technological components. "We are working on the evolution of lateral flow strips and the intellectual protection of technology, with an ongoing patent and new applications in preparation."

In addition, the project opens new development lines beyond the NT-proBNP. "Technology is opening the door for us to work with other biomarkers and variables, which extends its application in the field of preventive health."

The ultimate goal is to help transform the healthcare model. "We want to reduce avoidable hospitalizations, improve patients' quality of life and move towards a more preventive, data-driven and continuous health model," Cortés concludes.

CDTI Innovation

The Center for Technological Development and Innovation, CDTI E.P.E. It is the innovation agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, whose objective is the promotion of technological innovation in the business environment. The mission of the CDTI is to ensure that the Spanish business fabric generates and transforms scientific and technical knowledge into globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive growth. In 2025, within the framework of the Strategic Plan 2024-2027, the CDTI provided more than 2 billion euros of support to Spanish companies and startups.

More information:

Press Office
press@cdti.es
91-581.55.00

On the Internet
Website: www.cdti.es
On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/29815
On X: https://x.com/CDTI_innovacion
On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CDTIoficial

This content is copyright © 2026 CDTI,EPE. The use and reproduction is allowed by citing the source and digital identity of CDTI (@CDTI_innovacion).