Healthtech
Italian obesity digital clinic Holifya raises €2M to scale AI-supported GLP-1 care
The startup combines advanced diagnostics, AI, and multidisciplinary clinical care to personalise obesity drug treatment, improve adherence, and reduce side effects.
Cate Lawrence41 minutes ago
Holifya, the first digital clinic in Italy focused on pharmacologic treatment of obesity through AI and advanced diagnostics, has raised €2 million investment
The round, which is €1.6 million in equity and €0.4 million in debt capital and grants, was led by Next Age, the Silver Economy program of CDP Venture Capital’s National Accelerator Network, established by CDP Venture Capital and AC75, Growth Engine, which renews its commitment from the previous round, Doorway, 20Fund with its GP Serra Elizabeth Falk, and Zooga VC.
The cap table also includes notable business angels, including Micol Fornaroli, Pier Francesco Rimbotti, Tommaso Gamaleri, Duccio Vitali, and Matteo Mainetti.
Holifya, launched in 2023, has developed technology based on a Patient Support Program (PSP) diagnostic-data-driven model, with an AI system that integrates up to 3,000 biomarkers per patient (genetic, blood chemistry, and anamnestic), combined with behavioural and clinical data collected throughout the entire care pathway, supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialist physicians, nutritionists, nurses, and coaches
The round comes at a time of profound transformation: in 2025 the Italian Parliament recognised obesity as a chronic progressive and relapsing disease, while the new GLP-1/GIP drugs are redefining treatment. In Italy, over 23 million adults are overweight or obese, of which approximately 11 million are eligible for GLP-1 therapy: one of the largest pools in Europe.
However, adoption remains among the lowest on the continent: less than 1 per cent of eligible patients are currently in treatment, compared to 2 per cent in Germany and over 4 per cent in the UK
There is also an efficacy challenge: approximately 30 per cent of patients discontinue therapy within the first month and more than half within 12 months, due to unmanaged side effects, incorrect dosing, or the absence of a structured clinical pathway. Holifya has treated over 3,000 patients and positions itself as first-mover to build the clinical and technological infrastructure for GLP-1/GIP care. Its patients achieve weight loss up to twice that of patients taking the drug alone (-17 per cent vs. -7.1 per cent at 6 months) and adherence up to three times higher than the market standard, thanks to therapy personalisation that mitigates potential side effects.
Eligibility screening occurs within 48 hours, compared with the average months-long waiting time in the Italian National Health Service.
The AI system predicts and informs the treating physician of dropout risk and possible adverse effects, dynamically suggests — only to the physician — the optimal dosage, and automates follow-up with intelligent escalation. The physician validates and proceeds with the best therapy for the specific patient. With each new patient treated and each medical validation, the technology refines its predictive accuracy
The capital raised will be allocated across to:
- Strengthening the tech and data team and developing proprietary artificial intelligence models;
- B2C growth and development of strategic distribution partnerships across the Italian territory; and
- Expanding the internal clinical team to sustain the growth of patients under care.
The goal is to bring the team to over 60 people by the end of 2026, with a priority on expanding the clinical network and clinical team, as well as targeted hires in tech, data, and growth
“We start from Italy, which today is one of the European markets with the greatest untapped potential in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome with the new pharmacologic therapies, with the ambition of building a clinically scalable model at an international level, thanks to the fundamental role of AI in supporting physicians,” commented Alessandra Cestaro, Co-founder and CEO of Holifya.
“Together with CDP Venture Capital, the pre-seed investors who have renewed their trust and those who are joining the project now, we have the ambition to make Holifya the Italian and European go-to for every patient who is considering or undertaking a pharmacologic pathway for obesity.”
According to Stefano Molino, Head of the Accelerators fund at CDP Venture Capital, the team has already demonstrated a strong ability to build a structured model for obesity management, combining pharmacologic therapy with continuous monitoring of the patient’s pathway, from diagnosis to follow-up.
“The systematic use of data and artificial intelligence enables support for the physician in decisions on dosage, adherence, and therapy effects, improving the quality and continuity of care.”
The company has raised over €2.5 million since its founding from institutional investors and notable business angels in the sector
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