Bildnachweis: Alexander Sell.
When a single internal, non-invasive sensing platform can continuously capture physiological data from an athlete during training/game and simultaneously monitor a special forces operator’s vital state in demanding operational environments, the technology itself does not change. What changes is the regulatory pathway, the procurement structure, the investor profile, and the timeline to revenue. After participating in the Life Science Factory’s ELSA programme and receiving its 2026 Jury Award, Munich-based start-up Somatric is now navigating exactly this challenge – and its experience shows what dual use means in practice.
Somatric develops non-invasive internal sensing technology for high-stress environments in which conventional peripheral devices fail. Its protected internal measurement point is designed to deliver more stable physiological readings than skin-based wearables that shift under physical load. The underlying sensor architecture is largely identical across both target markets – professional sport and military applications. What changes is the form factor and, above all, the regulatory classification as well as the institutional buyer.
One product, two entirely different worlds
In the civilian market, Somatric enters first as a wellness device a deliberate choice that lowers the initial regulatory barrier and accelerates market access. A subsequent reclassi- fication under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) is planned. In the defence market, that standard is effectively required from the outset. Defence procurement can involve long and difficult to predict timelines. Requirements, technical assessment, procurement, and budget approval may sit with different stakeholders, while additional testing, security requirements, and formal tender procedures can further elongate the path from an initial pilot to a contract.
The investor calculus
The investor landscape reflects this complexity. Some funds exclude defence exposure on ESG grounds. Others see multi-market positioning as a hedge against sector-specific downturns and a signal of broader address able market potential. A third group raises concerns about strategic focus, pointing to divergent sales cycles as a risk to management bandwidth. Somatric has engaged defence focused investors alongside life sciences and medtech funds two communities with fundamentally different risk appetites. For Somatric, sequencing is a strategic choice. By entering the civilian market first, the company aims to generate early revenue, product validation, and customer data while the longer defence pathway matures.
Regulatory complexity as a strategic variable
Cybersecurity illustrates how the two markets converge unexpectedly. In defence contexts, even a localisable signal can endanger personnel in the field. In civilian healthcare, physio- logical data ranks among the most sensitive categories under data protection law. Building to the higher standard from the start serves both markets and avoids costly redesigns later. Start-ups that treat regulatory strategy as secondary to product development risk precisely that outcome.
A question of sequencing
The dual-use opportunity in biotechnology is real and growing. Geopolitical shifts have accelerated defence procurement reform across Europe, and programmes such as NATO Diana signal institutional appetite for early-stage innovation. Somatric’s experience suggests that start-ups should choose structural clarity first. This may include a short-term civilian entry point, a realistic defence timeline, sufficient team capacity and an investor base that understands both markets. Without that foundation, the second market can consume resources before delivering returns.
Note: This article is based on an interview with Jette Schreiber, co-founder and CEO of Somatric, a start-up from the Life Science Factory community that is developing an internal, non-invasive sensor platform for high-risk environments.
