Personalized medicine in tune with the body's internal clock honored at the German Founders Award 2025

TimeTeller, a HealthTech startup based at MSH Medical School Hamburg and rooted at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and supported by the BIH Digital Health Accelerator as well as the I4H program funded by Stiftung Charité brings a non-invasive saliva test into clinical practice. This test enables the precise determination of a patient’s individual biological daily rhythm, also known as the circadian rhythm. The analysis is based on molecular biology techniques, mathematical models, and artificial intelligence. The goal is to optimally tailor therapies—especially in oncology—to this daily rhythm, thereby reducing side effects and significantly improving treatment outcomes. 

The importance of the internal clock for health and therapeutic success is scientifically proven. Nearly every cell in the human body follows its own rhythm, regulated by circadian cycles. TimeTeller leverages this principle to determine individualized therapy times. The method is already being used in several clinical studies in Germany and internationally. Initial results show that the toxicity of cancer medications can fluctuate significantly over the course of the day—a finding now being translated into medical care. 

TimeTeller addresses an important variable in precision medicine and also shows how BIH helps turn strong ideas into effective products and services. We were delighted to hear about the nomination and are keeping our fingers crossed for Prof. Relógio and her team," commented Prof. Christopher Baum, Chairman of the BIH Board of Directors. The German Founders Award ceremony will take place on September 9, 2025, at the ZDF Capital Studio. The BIH wishes the TimeTeller team continued success on their path toward evidence-based, patient-centered medicine aligned with the biological rhythm.