IRIC - Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer

Published on October 29, 2025

Madline Sauvage, a doctoral student in molecular biology, and Professor Delphine Bouilly, Director of IRIC’s Design and Application of Electronic Nanobiosensors Research Unit, are recipients of a Pierre-Péladeau grant. Their start-up, SensÈn, whose mission is to make a clinical difference for breast cancer patients, won the second prize of $50,000 at the 27th edition of the competition. These grants, offered since 1999, aim to support the next generation in all fields of study in starting businesses, developing business plans, and developing products and markets.

The ambition to make a difference

SensÈn was born out of Madline Sauvage’s doctoral project in Delphine Bouilly’s laboratory. “After seven years of research, I realized that there had been no real progress in breast cancer monitoring tools,” says the student. “In 2025, breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in women! So I wanted to take science out of the lab to have a direct and concrete impact on patients.”

To achieve this, the two scientists took the plunge into entrepreneurship. “Through the company, we have an opportunity to translate our research into real medical advances for people,” says Delphine Bouilly. “That’s what interests me about this adventure.”

Small sensors for personalized monitoring

The researchers will declare “mission accomplished” once they have developed a product that can be used in clinical settings. Their goal? To develop miniature electrical sensors that will enable personalized monitoring of breast cancer. The precision offered will allow medical teams to intervene at the right time and adapt treatments more easily.

“Our goal is to improve the care pathway for patients going through this ordeal,” explains Professor Bouilly. “Ideally, we would like to treat, and even cure, all women affected. We would like this diagnosis to no longer be a death sentence; with the right care, these women should be able to continue their lives.”

“Our ambition is to make SensÈn a global benchmark for breast cancer monitoring,” adds Madline Sauvage.

Support that will serve as a springboard

The recognition that the Pierre Péladeau Grant brings them is invaluable: it is a source of confidence and motivation, and gives SensÈn great visibility. “Even though we are just starting out, we are making an impact in the community because we are relevant and because we are meeting a need,” explains Delphine Bouilly. “It’s very encouraging.”

For Madline Sauvage, this grant also opens doors to the future: “The Pierre Péladeau Grant will allow us to continue developing SensÈn.”

“On a more personal level, the experience of being a professor and thesis supervisor is very rewarding,” adds Delphine Bouilly. “It’s a great opportunity for a doctoral student, who is moving from discovery to value creation through entrepreneurship.”