A University of Edinburgh spinout company aims to revolutionise the early diagnosis of difficult-to-detect cancers with a new blood-based biopsy device BioCaptiva has been launched with more than £1 million in seed investment from Edinburgh-based angel investment syndicate Archangels and Scottish Enterprise. It has developed a next-generation “liquid biopsy” technology that captures circulating free DNA (cfDNA) from patients’ blood in much greater quantities than the current standard of a single blood draw can, overcoming a significant current limitation of cancer liquid biopsy testing. Named BioCollector, the device works alongside a standard apheresis machine, filtering cfDNA from the patient’s blood system. BioCollector is based on a decade of research led by Professor Tim Aitman, Director of the Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, and Professor Mark Bradley of the University’s School of Chemistry. The company formation has been supported by Edinburgh Innovations, the University’s commercialisation service. Prototypes indicate the potential to detect early-stage cancers in patients without the need for surgical biopsy. The BioCollector also promises new approaches for monitoring minimal residual disease and detecting disease recurrence, resulting in better patient outcomes. The seed investment will enable BioCaptiva to carry out its first in human trials to prove its safe use in humans. Should the technology prove successful, BioCaptiva plans to scale up its technology ahead of regulatory clinical trials, scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. A recent report shows the global liquid biopsy market growing by a compound annual rate of 33% and projected to be worth more than $6 billion by 2025. BioCaptiva expects interest to come principally from companies that are developing novel cancer tests limited by current methods of extracting cfDNA, where the higher yield achieved by the BioCollector will increase the sensitivity of their detection methods. I'm delighted that after several years of work with colleagues in Edinburgh, we will now progress towards first-in-human trials. BioCollector will provide a step change in the capabilities of liquid biopsy for cancer detection and diagnosis. We are excited to be moving our device into this market with its huge potential for advances in the care of patients with cancer. Professor Tim Aitman Director of the Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine BioCaptiva has very exciting prospects in an important field, based on the leading research of Edinburgh scientists. The launch of this company, with such solid investment support, promises to improve many people’s lives. Dr George Baxter CEO of Edinburgh Innovations BioCaptiva will be led by CEO Jeremy Wheeler, who has extensive experience the medical devices startup field. Frank Armstrong, who has a track record of developing healthcare products across a range of therapeutic areas, has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman of the company. Publication date 30 Mar, 2021
