New Bristol University Spin-out Receives Major Funding to Advance Innovative Breast Cancer Detection

New Bristol University Spin-out Receives Major Funding to Advance Innovative Breast Cancer Detection

[Posted on 16 February 2006]

Micrima, a University of Bristol company that is developing a revolutionary, safer test to detect breast cancer at an early stage, has secured new funding and is starting human trials of the test. 

“Compared to current methods Micrima’s new screening technology can potentially detect breast cancer at a very early stage and create a better image through even very dense tissue,” commented chief executive Roy Johnson. “The significant early-stage funding from business angels, NESTA and the SULIS seedcorn fund is a major step towards making this new screening programme available to women”.

The test, which utilises an innovative radar system, will enable women to be tested regularly without the fear of over-exposure to radiation, a problem with existing X-ray tests.  Currently, in order to detect cancer at an early stage – which is extremely important for successful treatment - many women are dependent on self-examination which can prove unreliable. 

This latest technology has the potential to image through dense breast tissue, and therefore can reach a far wider section of women than X-ray mammography.  For some women, traditional mammography can be uncomfortable, creating a disincentive to go for regular screenings.  Micrima’s screening technology does not require breast compression, making the whole process more comfortable.  Breast compression for testing also can create an artificially denser tissue, making detection of small tumours more challenging.

Women below 50 in particular stand to benefit from the new test, since X-rays are less reliable in detecting cancer in this age group.  Breast cancer is the largest killer of women between the ages of 35-55 in Europe.

Alan Preece, Professor of Medical Physics at the University of Bristol and one of the lead scientists on this project, said: “Breast cancer is one of the biggest killers that women currently face.  Each year, there are over 41,000 new cases in the UK alone. We are very excited about this new technology and are pleased that our research findings at the University of Bristol may benefit so many women’s futures.”

SETsquared is part of the enterprise partnership between the universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey.  Based alongside the University’s incubation centre at University Gate East, the SETsquared centre in Bristol is actively supporting over 50 nascent entrepreneurs, offering services such as business development, mentoring and cost effective office space. 

Notes:

This research at the University of Bristol is led by Dr Ian Craddock from the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Alan Preece, Professor of Medical Physics.

The University of Bristol, as part of its enterprise initiative, provides grant funding at the very early stages of turning research into a business proposition through its Enterprise Development Fund. For further information, see www.bris.ac.uk/research/enterprise/createbusiness/funding/bedf

The Sulis Seedcorn Fund provides support for the early stage commercialisation of research generated by the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Southampton. The Fund offers resources for targeted development work to enhance the commercial potential of specific products or services as well as for licensing, sale of intellectual property and formation of spin-out companies.  For further information, see www.bath.ac.uk/sulis-innovation

The SETsquared Business Acceleration Centres are part of the enterprise partnership between the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey. The SETsquared centres support early-stage, technology, high growth potential ventures both from within and outside the universities to accelerate their businesses. They help these ventures make the vital, yet often difficult move from initial ideas to business start-up and the key to their success lies in the combination of the research strength of the universities and private sector commercial experience. The SETsquared centres provide business mentoring and guidance, support of entrepreneurs and business professionals and office space.

The SETsquared Partnership brings together the enterprise activities of the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey. With 8% of the UK's research budget, the Partnership is situated in one of the strongest economic areas. As a proven leader in the development of the UK's knowledge economy, the Partnership creates new technology businesses, supports the wider business community with access to the universities' knowledge base and mentors, and equips new entrepreneurs with the education to be the UK's enterprise generation. Heeding the UK government's call for strengthening of the economy through entrepreneurship, new business creation and accelerating company growth, the SETsquared Partnership aims to secure the UK as a global leader in new businesses and innovation.