Alumni politecnico di milano
At a certain point in his professional career, Massimo Alberti, a biomedical engineer who graduated in 2006 from Politecnico di Milano, decided it was time to "cross the line" by moving from research to the market. “I had been working for five years at this important technology institute in Singapore (The Agency for Science, Technology and Research A*STAR, ed.) and it was time to make a decision about the technology we were developing, which was advanced enough to attempt commercialization. That’s when my aspiration as an engineer emerged: the desire to see my research project become a product. So, I took the leap.”
The launch went well. Today, Massimo is the founder of REVIVO BioSystems and leads a team of 8 people, including engineers and biologists. Not a large team for now, but the company's scalability rivals that of the most renowned Silicon Valley startups. “We have distributors in ten countries, and we aim to expand the network and open a branch in Europe. We will continue to push into new sectors and are about to launch two new kits: one for anti-aging studies
What kind of technology are we talking about? “The company specializes in generating 4D tissue models in the lab for in vitro safety and efficacy testing. Our capabilities are the closest to real human skin among those commercially available. We have developed a combination of different technologies, from microfluidics, which replicates the function of blood flow, to genetic and tissue engineering, which allows us to reconstruct advanced, functionalized tissues in the lab starting from human cells. The resulting product is a tool where we can literally assemble these microfluidic devices with the reconstructed tissue to conduct tests for cosmetic purposes.” This includes the anti-aging market, wrinkle creams, and wound care, which alone would be enough to keep the company’s accounts busy. But this is just the beginning of the journey.
“The true potential of this technology lies in the pharmaceutical field, where the complexity revolves around existing regulations, which are very stringent due to health-related reasons. These are tissues that represent the internal and external barriers of the body, such as the oral mucosa for oral care testing. Moving toward more significant applications, we could analyze tissues from the digestive tract, stomach, and intestines. We have even considered, in a future model, developing tests for products that need to reach, for instance, the brain or be metabolized by the kidneys.”
The company’s innovation goes beyond technology; it also addresses a significant ethical and social aspect. “We strongly believe in scientific and technological advancement to accelerate the paradigm shift from animal testing to alternative methods (NAM). Consequently, our innovation will help accelerate the development of chemical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical products, while ensuring consumer protection and reducing or replacing animal testing. By providing more accurate and effective methodologies for preclinical testing, REVIVO will help relevant industries reduce development costs, particularly in the preclinical phase, which could ultimately make products more accessible. Looking ahead, using patient-derived cells for in vitro models, such as those we develop, will enable more effective approaches in precision medicine and personalized cosmetics.”
Economic growth, advanced technology, and social and ethical responsibility are precisely the reasons why REVIVO BioSystems received the prestigious international award “Innovation That Speaks Italian,” presented directly to Massimo Alberti by Ministers Bernini and Tajani, representing the Ministry of University and Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. This highly innovative award is granted to tech startups operating abroad and founded by Italian citizens.
“I am very proud of this honor. Not only because it comes from my country, which I have been away from for over fifteen years, but also because, for the first time, this award, now in its sixth edition, is being given to an entrepreneur based in Asia—a continent with significant biotech development, even though the leaders remain the United States. The fact that Italy has awarded me signifies that they are also starting to recognize other countries. This award also demonstrates that pursuing an unconventional and challenging career path while embracing a global perspective can lead to meaningful achievements and recognition on the international stage.”
What drove you to leave Italy after university? “Curiosity and the desire to explore have always pushed me to seek new experiences. The first opportunity came during my years at Politecnico di Milano when I did an Erasmus program in Norway. That’s where I realized the value of experiencing other countries. I completed my PhD in Denmark, where I lived for seven years.” Then came the move to Singapore. “Compared to other places in Asia, Singapore is where East meets West. English is the official language, and it’s also a very green and livable city. It has a high quality of life: infrastructure and public transportation work well. It’s a city that is geopolitically stable.” Have you ever thought about returning to Italy? “I might consider moving back to Europe to be closer to France, where we currently have significant commercial ties. We are fundraising for our second round of financing, and it would be important if interested investors could help support our commercial expansion in Europe. In the future, who knows, if a concrete opportunity arises. Also, I have a daughter, and I’d love for her to get to know my country and Italian culture.”
What did you take from your time at Politecnico di Milano into your professional life? “When I started university, I came from a classical high school education, and thanks to the Politecnico, I gained a solid scientific foundation. My interest in developing cell cultures and microelectromechanical systems for in vitro applications began during my thesis, which focused on using microelectrodes to stimulate neurons cultured in the lab on a microfluidic device.”
A cutting-edge thesis that, years later, led you to found a successful startup. How do you see your future? “Today, I am very focused on this company, and my professional dream is to make it a leader in the field, enabling new technologies like this one to change how products are tested in the preclinical phase and help develop new ones that improve people’s lives more quickly and effectively.” Massimo’s motivation, however, runs deeper and is unexpectedly tied to his childhood dream. “I want to help people feel better through research and discoveries. For me, it’s a sort of mission. It’s no coincidence that, as a child, I wanted to become a doctor.”
But how does all this connect to biomedical engineering? “When I decided to enroll at university, I realized that by becoming a biomedical engineer, I could combine my passion for science with my desire to help others, just like doctors do. After all, if you think about it, technology allows you to have a broader impact on people—I can potentially reach many more.”
It’s easy to believe him. Massimo points out that the fluidic device, the core of his technology, is the size of a credit card. A card that doesn’t exchange money but delivers well-being to people.
