Manchester start-up set to launch clinical trials for lung cancer detection
Manchester MedTech company Averywell is set to start UK clinical trials on a ground breaking early detection test for lung cancer later this year.
Averywell has developed a proprietary technology to detect microRNA biomarkers at the early onset of lung cancer 鈥� attracting attention from the global scientific community.
More than 75% of UK lung cancer patients are still being diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease.
The mirLung Dx lung cancer detector is the brainchild of Dr Cherry Na Yu Chia who launched her start-up after her studies at 糖心Vlog官方 and with the help of the at the Alliance Manchester Business School.
Dr Chia, founder and CEO of Averywell, said: 鈥淭his test is a game changer for the millions of people around the world who hear the devastating words 鈥榶ou may have lung cancer鈥� every year. The current test for lung cancer is expensive, not 100% accurate and involves invasive procedures.
鈥�Averywell is a patient-centric company and our vision is to make picking up lung cancer, in its early stages, easy, painless and convenient.
鈥淧atients will be able to collect their own blood and send it back to us for testing. The convenience of a simple blood test aims to encourage regularly testing so cancer can be spotted early because when the cancer isn't too large and hasn't spread, it is more likely to be treated successfully.鈥�
This test is a game changer for the millions of people around the world who hear the devastating words 鈥榶ou may have lung cancer鈥� every year. The current test for lung cancer is expensive, not 100% accurate and involves invasive procedures.
These include:
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Securing laboratory space, mentoring and business support after Averywell was one of the top 10 global winners of the 2022 Innovation Forum life sciences accelerator programme.
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Winning first prize on the Alderley Park Accelerator Programme, in Cheshire.
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Joining the Barclays Eagle Labs business support programme.
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Winning the MedTech and HealthTech category at the 2023 North West Start Up Awards.
路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Joining the Royal Academy of Engineering regional talent engine programme 鈥� a six-month pre-accelerator programme for early-stage founders.
She said: 鈥淏eing nominated, shortlisted and winning awards and prizes on accelerator programmes is really tangible and motivating to a scientist like me. It feels like our aim of having our mirLung Dx lung cancer detector device in the hands of clinicians is getting closer and closer.
鈥淲e鈥檝e developed a product that people need and want and everyone we speak to about the technology is very excited by it. Potential customers 鈥� such as public and private clinical laboratories - are interested in it but investors have also really bought into it and want to be part of Averywell as it grows.
鈥淭he aim is to get investment and start clinical trials in the UK before the end of the year. We need institutional and other professional investors in order to take it to the next level.鈥�
Dr Laura Etchells, Enterprise Development Manager, Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, said: 鈥�Having supported Dr Chia on her entrepreneurial journey we鈥檙e delighted to see Averywell going from strength to strength and wish Cherry and all the Averywell team every success as they embark on the next stage of further growth and development.鈥�
To find out more visit www.averywell.com.