- Success story
Norwegian startup aims to transform migraine care globally
When Cathrine Ro Heuch started at the School of Entrepreneurship at NTNU, she had little idea that just a few years later she would be leading a company transforming the way we treat migraines. Today, she heads Nordic Brain Tech – a spin-off from NTNU and St. Olavs Hospital – which has developed Cenli, a home-based biofeedback solution for preventing stress-induced conditions such as headaches.
Written by
Therese Oppegaard
📸Cenli
Personal experience became the driving force
The idea behind the product is closely tied to Cathrine’s own story. She has lived with migraines since her youth, and with both parents working as neurologists, she gained a unique insight into both the patient and clinical perspectives. This combination created an extra motivation to pursue new solutions.
– It feels good to work on something that I know can change lives, Cathrine says. – When you look at how many people struggle with migraine and how significantly it affects everyday life, it’s surprising that more companies aren’t working on this issue—especially when it comes to developing non-pharmacological solutions.
The research that underpins Cenli began in Trondheim in 2015. With support from NTNU Technology Transfer Office and close collaboration with St. Olavs Hospital, a solid scientific foundation was laid for a new treatment approach. The company was founded in 2019, marking the start of the journey from research environment to market.
– Today I almost have to say I’m glad we didn’t know how long the journey would be. We had the idea, we had the right people, and the road felt short. Now, after 10 years of development, I understand why it has taken exactly 10 years. There is a tremendous amount of work behind launching an entirely new product. But now that Cenli is finally ready, it has all been worth it, Cathrine adds.
Since then, the company has raised capital, completed clinical studies, and developed products such as Cenli, a digital biofeedback solution for home use, and Brain Twin, an app that helps patients log and understand headache attacks.
The Cenli team is pleased to finally launch their biofeedback kit. Here are Jenny Nesje and Cathrine Ro Heuch. 📸Cenli
Recognition far beyond the healthtech community
Cathrine Ro Heuch has already been noticed far beyond the healthtech sector. She has been named both Leadership Talent and Rising Star in national rankings, and in 2021 she appeared on Kapital’s “40 under 40” list. Cathrine is humble as she reflects on what this recognition has meant along the way.
– This is where you’re supposed to say that such things don’t matter at all, right? But of course, they do. There’s a lot of hard work behind creating a solution like Cenli, and it warms my heart that the work is acknowledged. Everyone appreciates a pat on the back now and then!
The cluster has followed Nordic Brain Tech closely through several years of collaboration.
– Highlighting entrepreneurs like Cathrine is one of the most important things we do as a cluster. Young companies with knowledge-based solutions and clear patient value are the driving force of a stronger health ecosystem. When we connect them to networks, expertise, and markets, we’re not just building companies – we’re building the health industry of the future, says Lena Nymo Helli. She emphasizes that early and targeted support can be decisive for whether promising innovations actually reach the health-care system.
– At Norway Health Tech, we work to give entrepreneurs access to testbeds, investors, and international markets – so that solutions like Cenli can reach the patients who need them faster. This is the very core of why clusters exist.
-Highlighting entrepreneurs like Cathrine is one of the most important things we do as a cluster,” says Lena Nymo Helli, CEO of Norway Health Tech. Here together with the founder herself.
The importance of collaboration
Nordic Brain Tech has benefited greatly from incubators, science parks, and health clusters along the way. As an active board member of Norway Health Tech, Cathrine knows the value of collaboration well.
– In Norway we have a strong collaborative culture, even among startups. I was almost surprised when I realized that most people say yes to meeting for a coffee if you need some advice. And I’ve made use of that opportunity often!
The company is now entering its next chapter, where its products will become available to patients in Norway and internationally. The goal is to give millions of migraine patients a new tool – simpler to use, more accessible, and without the side effects many experiences from medication.
– We now have a solution that we know can help many people. And of course, that makes us think big. We want as many as possible – first in Norway and then across the world – to experience biofeedback with Cenli. I can’t predict the future, but I believe we will make a difference.
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