Cambridge University spin-out Owlsense to form its own medtech startup.
Owlsense, a spin-out of Cambridge University, is to form a new company to commercialise research into a breathalyser that can identify diseases.
The medtech spin-out of Owlsense will be looking to raise somewhere between $3m-$5m to launch with, allowing Owlsense to continue its primary chemical detection nanochip business without being impeded by the breathalyser technology.
The device can detect cancer and other diseases such as diabetes and tuberculosis from a user’s breath, heightening the chances of early detection and thusly increase a patient’s chance at survival.
Co-founder Billy Boyle said: “We are using our existing instruments for discovery i.e. clinical researchers are using it to find the markers of disease. These instruments can be used in a clinical setting – but the long term vision is to create a handheld device that can be used in the home – a breathalyzer for disease. As well as cancers, scientists have found markers for asthma, stomach ulcers, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, IBS, lactose malbsorption and more conditions.”
