Xgenera has secured £3m in funding, with investment led by QantX alongside a substantial £2.5m grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This investment marks a pivotal advancement in cutting-edge tumour detection methods.
Dr. Andy Shapanis, CEO and Founder of Xgenera, completed his PhD in Oncology and Cancer Biology at the University of Southampton, where he collaborated with co-founder Professor Paul Skipp. Together, they developed miONCO, a novel diagnostic approach for malignancy screening. This revolutionary test utilizes microRNA technology to identify 12 of the most prevalent and life-threatening cancers at early stages, often before symptoms manifest.
Dr. Shapanis explained, “Detecting tumors in their initial stages can dramatically improve patient outcomes and healthcare economics. By identifying predictive biomarkers and validating our concept against clinical data from 20,000 patients, we’ve successfully pinpointed a considerable number of malignancies with remarkable sensitivity.”
Professor Skipp added, “The miONCO test has demonstrated exceptional specificity, potentially leading to more efficient and cost-effective screening programs. This could result in substantial savings for the NHS by reducing unnecessary follow-up procedures.”
Xgenera has partnered with YouSeq, a global leader in advanced PCR technology, to elevate the concept and develop an affordable test with high clinical value.
Richard Haycock, CEO of QantX, commented: “Traditionally, diagnosing cancer has been challenging, often relying on the appearance of later-stage symptoms. Swift identification is crucial not only for improving patient survival rates but also for minimizing the impact on families and alleviating strain on the healthcare system. We’re thrilled by the potential of this transformative technology to reshape oncological screening practices.”
For more information about Xgenera and their innovative detection technology, visit www.xgenera.com
About QantX
QantX is a South & South West focused venture capital firm investing in high-impact innovations that will drive a modern economy. Led by a globally experienced team of entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers from major industry, technology, and financial institutions, the QantX team has made more than 100 investments both individually and collectively.
Learn more about QantX here.