InsectSense

About InsectSense

InsectSense is a Wageningen-based biotechnology company developing insect-inspired sensing technologies for objective measurement of flavour and health-related properties. Its flagship platform, ReceptomiX, combines biochips, receptor biology, readout hardware and analysis software to measure biological responses from compounds and formulations in real time.

The company serves food, flavour and ingredient developers, and also positions its technology for pharma and other applications where rapid screening of bioactivity matters. InsectSense presents itself as a science-based deeptech company focused on turning biomimetic research into practical tools for R&D, product development and market-ready testing.

Core Values

• Commitment: InsectSense emphasizes developing innovative technologies that are intended to meet societal and environmental needs.
• Positive teamwork: The company highlights knowledge, integrity, dependability, imagination, skills, wellbeing and respectful collaboration as foundations for its culture.
• Motivation: It values happiness, pride in work and a sense of shared achievement among colleagues and partners.
• Responsibility: InsectSense says its products and services should have a positive impact on society and the environment, with responsible use now and in the future.
• Science-based impact: The company is committed to collaborations with universities and research institutes worldwide to further develop research outcomes and create impact.
• Quality: It stresses reliable, high-quality products and services that create value.

Unique Aspects

• Insect-inspired sensing platform: ReceptomiX mimics insect antennae and combines human and insect receptors to capture biological responses that traditional analytical tools do not measure.
• Broad receptor screening: The platform can functionally screen compounds or formulations against hundreds of GPCRs and ion channels simultaneously, enabling rapid bioactivity profiling.
• Exclusive Wageningen collaboration: InsectSense says it works with Wageningen University & Research as co-development and commercialization partner and holds exclusive license rights.
• Funding and investor backing: In January 2025, the company announced a €800k pre-seed round with Capricorn Partners, Oost NL and an angel investor to advance market introduction and product development.
• Early diagnostic roots: The company’s origins include BeeSense, a bee-based COVID-19 detection concept that drew international media attention and helped establish its insect-inspired approach.