UMCG spinout CC Diagnostics has been backed by Carduso Capital as it moves closer to the launch of its cervical cancer screening technology.

CC Diagnostics, a Netherlands-based cancer diagnosis technology spinout from University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), part of University of Groningen, has obtained an undisclosed sum from commercialisation firm Carduso Capital.

Carduso Capital manages a $35m fund called Carduso Capital Groningen NL that supports tech transfer from both UMCG and Groningen, though it did not explicitly name the fund as the investor in its press release.

In conjunction with Carduso’s investment, CC Diagnostics has also received a loan of undisclosed size from the government-owned Netherlands Enterprise Agency’s Innovation Credit program.

Founded in 2016, CC Diagnostics has designed a DNA methylation-based assay for screening cervical cancer, a form affecting a woman’s cervix that can often be cured so long as treatment is sought early enough.

Methylation is a biochemical process involving the transfer of a carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms from one substance to another.

CC Diagnostics’ test is expected to improve on conventional Pap smear tests by reducing the incidence of false positives, which can cause distress to the patient.

The test also works on samples collected by the user at home, which could encourage more women to request screenings. It is due to launch by the end of 2019, with Carduso’s money allotted for final trials and market launch activities.

CC Diagnostics commercialises research led by three UMCG professors – Bea Wisman, Ate van der Zee and Ed Schurring. It will continue to receive support from UMCG’s gynaecologic oncology and pathology departments.

CC Diagnostics previously participated in the Lifesciences @ Work accelerator. It had targeted €830,000 ($971,000) from its initial funding round, in addition to $374,000 in government loans, though it was unclear whether the latest injection fulfilled those objectives.

Frits Kok, partner at Carduso Capital, said: “By investing in CC Diagnostics a ground-breaking technology developed in the UMCG will reach the market. This company will increase the quality of our healthcare as well as it helps to bring down unnecessary costs.”