The spin-out from the National University of Singapore (NUS) will make performing molecular diagnosis in the body a reality.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) has spun out a new medical technology company called Endofotonics, which aims to reduce cancer deaths by diagnosing the disease in real time. It has raised S$700,000 ($560,000) to translate its lab prototype into a commercial prototype that can be manufactured in accordance with regulatory requirements.
The technology is an in-vivo molecular diagnostic system (IMDX) and was developed at the university before being licensed exclusively to the spin-out by the Industry Liaison Office, the institution’s technology transfer office. The system works by probing biomolecular changes that are associated with the transformation of cells. These changes become apparent when the tissue molecules are “excited” by a laser light directed at the tissue. Several patents for the technology are pending.
The current method of cancer detection is heavily reliant on the experience of the oncologist, who has to recognise and evaluate tissue structure and then have the biopsy analysed in a lab. IMDX will be objective and instantaneous during an endoscopy, identifying tissue structure through software rather than relying on the doctor’s skills. This will also allow for it to be operated with minimal training.
The technology has been tested in more than 500 patients across a diverse range of cancer types, with a diagnostic accuracy of over 90% in gastric dysplasia, gastric cancer and oesophageal cancer.
Florence Leong, CEO and co-founder of Endofotonics, said: “We are extremely excited at the prospect of bringing molecular diagnosis into the body. The objective real time diagnosis made possible will cause a paradigm shift in how diagnosis is made and significantly reduce cancer deaths and burden.”