Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EPICHECK (Detection of Various Cancer Types for Screening and Diagnosis through Blood Samples with Epigenetic Biomarkers Panels)
Período documentado: 2015-10-01 hasta 2016-03-31
Nucleix focuses initially on the field of cancer detection and screening. Cancer cost the EU €126 billion in 2009, which was 1.07% of EU GDP. 2.45m People in the EU were diagnosed with cancer in 2008, when 1.23 million people in the EU died from cancer in 2008. This is one of the most significant public health issues in the world and in the EU. Nucleix first product, Bladder EpiCheck is a urine test for the detection of Bladder Cancer. It is aimed for monitoring bladder cancer patients as this is a disease with high recurrence rate and requires tight surveillance. This product will be launched in Q3 of 2016. The test is based on a panel of 15 non-overlapping Methylation markers at loci that were identified, developed and owned by the company. This product which has better sensitivity and specificity than any other non-invasive test is a proof of the company’s ability to translate its technology to applicable products.
The company plans to develop EPICHECK - diagnostic kits using multi-loci panel of markers, for the detection and screening of lung cancer and colorectal cancer in blood samples – which is the subject of this applications.
Task 1 - Main markets and geographies for product launch, payers policy in the main markets. Result - We collected comprehensive data to decide on first target countries for commercial implementation.
Task 2 - Collaborating with Bio-banks and receiving initial samples. Results - we acquired samples to successfully test our markers.
Task 3 - Find key opinion leaders (KOLs) to get initial feedback for optimal product design and recruit for Clinical Advisory Board. Results - we conducted numerous interviews with KOLs to gather important insights for product development, and we started recruiting for our Clinical Advisory Board.
Task 4 - Mapping of equipment used in clinical labs to direct product development. Result - we now have a priority list for product development and a clear idea about test automation.
Task 5 - Preparing a realistic business plan. Result - we prepared a business plan for this project.