Cambridge-based cancer diagnostics company Biofidelity has been granted a key patent in the US protecting its underlying technology and is expecting to launch its first product later this year.
The patent - US20200354786 - is confirmation of the novelty and innovation behind its technology, which aims to improve access to better screening, monitoring and treatment of cancer.
Currently, most cancer patients are assessed with standard PCR-based diagnostics techniques, but this typically looks at one gene, whereas to determine the best treatment it is preferable to look at multiple genes.
While DNA sequencing offers a vast source of information, and is increasingly important, it remains complicated and expensive, and the results can be difficult to interpret.
Biofidelity’s chemistry-based assays aim to offer something akin to the simplicity of PCR techniques, but with a sophistication and sensitivity that is closer to next-generation sequencing.
The technology will enable oncologists to make precision decisions earlier, helping them to monitor resistance and track disease occurrence. But crucially, these results are offered quickly, are easy to intepret and placed an affordable price point.
It is this technology that attracted $12million in an investment round last year and earned Biofidelity the title of Start-up of the Year at the Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards, held virtually on Thursday April 15.
Biofidelity, which was founded in 2019, will begin with the launch of its first product, Identi-Lung, for the detection of non-small cell lung cancer, later this year.
Its other focus is on colorectal cancer, but the technology has potential in a broad range of cancers and medium- to long-term applications in the detection of resistance to therapy and disease recurrence.
The assays enable the ultra-sensitive detection of markers recommended in cancer treatment guidelines.
CEO Dr Barnaby Balmforth said: “The grant of this key patent in the US is another important step forward in our goal of transforming diagnosis to make sure every cancer patient receives the right drug at the right time.
“We are working hard to build a comprehensive portfolio of IP protecting our technology, applications and products to enable any lab to offer high quality precision cancer diagnostics.”
We are delighted and honoured to be recognised among this strong core of innovative and dynamic companies. This award highlights the hard work and commitment from the team at Biofidelity to bring the company so quickly to where it is today. In the last year, we have grown from five people to 25, raised $12 million, employed some fantastic key hires, and recently had both our first peer reviewed publication and several key patents granted. Our vision is to revolutionise access to best-in-class cancer diagnostics to ensure that every single patient can receive the right treatment at the right time. Building on our recent success, we are excited to see what 2021 brings for us.
Dr. Barnaby Balmforth
Chief Executive Officer at Biofidelity