Members Calling #132 | Roberto de la Rica: “If I were not an entrepreneur, I would look for other mechanisms to transfer knowledge.”

3 July 2025 Members Calling

Roberto de la Rica (Palma de Mallorca, 1978) is a scientist: a doctor in biochemistry and molecular biology, with more than 20 years’ experience in the development of biosensors and nanotechnology, an extensive career at universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Spain, and the management of a team of scientists at the Fundació Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa).

But, in addition to being a scientist, he is also an entrepreneur: co-founder and CEO of Nanodecal, an IdISBa spin-off that has developed a test capable of identifying multiple bacteria in sputum –mucus expelled from the lungs when coughing– in a matter of minutes.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

RR: To develop the first rapid test to detect bacteria in sputum in a decentralised way. There are some superbugs, such as pseudomonas aeruginosa, that need to be killed quickly with the right antibiotic treatment or else they will generate antibiotic-resistant biofilms. This is why it is essential that such tests can be used in any healthcare facility within minutes.

TB:What stage is the project at and where do you see it in two years?

RR: Finalising the MVP to enter the clinical validation phase. In two years I hope to have the CE Mark to market it in the EU.

TB: A good idea you’ve had.

RR: Getting up at five o’clock to do sport before starting my working day.

TB: What has been your biggest challenge?

RR: Without a doubt, leading Nanodecal.

TB: The best piece of advice you have received.

RR: To stop thinking like a start-up that raises funds and start thinking like a company that sells products.

TB: A role model.

RR: Antonio Soares, who gave me the above advice.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

RR: The discovery of new antibiotics.