About Us
DName-iT is a spin-off company from the KU Leuven. With the funding of Cetromed Ltd, the company will exploit the IP and know-how generated by founder and CSO Harry Cuppens.
DName-iT operates at cross-roads of major, growing markets of liquid biopsy, laboratory services, clinical trials and NGS. The Company has developed a proprietary DNA-based barcode labelling technology (DNames™) and software platform that can ensure reliable, cost-effective NGS specimen identification. DName-iT's unique, efficient approach can positively differentiate customer Laboratories with better performance at a fraction of the cost of competing approaches.
As the use of NGS grows in driving critical healthcare treatment decisions , efficient, trustworthy results will be critical to patient safety.
Summary
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DNA-based “barcode” labels, DNames™ applied directly into containers of blood, saliva or extracted DNA, provide tracking through to completed NGS analysis
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Allows laboratories to detect multi-stage handling errors where currently about 2% of specimens are affected
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No impact from DNames™ on the analysis results of the patient’s own DNA
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Replaces less effective and more expensive methods that attempt to provide NGS specimen tracking quality assurance currently
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Provides insights into the quality of the NGS process itself, supporting trust in critical results
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Initial focus on fast-growing Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) market, then expansion to Cancer Therapy Selection market
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Underlying 2-step PCR patent already used in the economical pooling of samples in NGS, a potential source of license revenue
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Strategy includes adding DNames™ to blood and saliva collection tubes for true end-end specimen tracking
Meet the Team
CEO
Dr Stephen Cook
Dr Stephen Cook is the CEO with 25 years of experience in the energy industry, including senior roles at BP focused on commercialization and innovation. He led BP’s IP monetization and licensing activities, as well as its scale‑up and corporate venture capital efforts. His background includes advising investment funds and holding multiple Non‑Executive Director and Chair positions across deep‑tech start‑ups. Dr Cook brings a strong track record in strategic leadership, technology commercialisation, and supporting high‑growth innovation‑driven companies.
CSO and Founder
Prof Harry Cuppens
Prof Harry Cuppens is the CSO and Founder of DName‑iT, a company he established in late 2014 as a spin‑out from KU Leuven University. Backed by EMV Capital, he leads a team with world‑class technical and licensing expertise. Prior to founding DName‑iT, he held research and professorial roles at KU Leuven, building deep experience in genetics, biotechnology, genetic testing technologies, and the development of DNA and RNA platforms. His work spans next‑generation sequencing and significant contributions to cystic fibrosis research.
Board Chair
Dr. Ilian Iliev
Dr Ilian Iliev is the Board Chair and CEO of EMV Capital PLC, an experienced investor with a strong track record of delivering returns in IP‑rich technology companies. He founded EMV Capital in 2018 and became Group CEO following its acquisition by NetScientific PLC. Previously, he co‑founded and led CambridgeIP Ltd, a leading IP strategy and patent analytics firm, and worked as a strategy advisor to major corporates and public‑policy organisations. He serves on multiple portfolio company boards and holds a PhD from Cambridge Judge Business School.
NED (Non Executive Director)
Kevin Dean
Kevin Dean is a Non‑Executive Director with 40 years of experience in new technology, including more than two decades in Digital Health and MedTech. His previous roles include serving as Healthcare Innovation Lead for Cisco and Interim Director General for IT at the NHS. He has also been NED at Genomics England and Chair of three MedTech start‑ups. Kevin has worked closely with venture and investment firms across Europe, including EMV Capital, Industrifonden, and Nordic Ninja VC, supporting high‑growth technology ventures.
CCO
Silanur Sahin
Silanur Sahin is the CCO, bringing a Cambridge MBA and extensive cross‑functional expertise across med‑tech operations and law. She specialises in scalable growth strategies and regulatory‑driven commercialisation, with a strong focus on navigating complex compliance environments. Silanur also has hands‑on experience in medical sample tube manufacturing, giving her valuable insight into both technical processes and operational execution. Her background equips her to lead commercial strategy, drive market expansion, and support the development of high‑growth med‑tech innovations.
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Fractional CFO
Stephen Crowe
Stephen Crowe is the fractional CFO and a commercial, growth‑focused finance leader with more than 20 years of experience across a wide range of financial institutions. His background spans blue‑chip organisations such as AXA, as well as owner‑managed SMEs including THB Group, R K Carvill & Co., and Towergate Partnership. A qualified chartered accountant, he holds a degree from Auckland University (NZ). Stephen has recently undertaken several interim roles supporting high‑growth, tech‑enabled SMEs and previously spent six years at Source, a European ETP provider later acquired by Invesco.
Careers
DName-iT is looking to expand the team with highly skilled and enthusiastic people. Interested in a challenge in a true dynamic environment? Join the team and send your CV to info@dnameit.com
Partners
Augmenting the quality of genetic tests is not something we do on our own. By sharing ideas, knowledge, and expertise with our selected partners, we realize our joint ambition of improving the workflow of NGS and healthcare in general. We are always looking for partners. If interested please contact us at info@dnameit.com