Lunaphore, an EPFL spin-off, brings its first product to market
The cancer fast detection test device developped by the spin-off Lunaphore reaches the European market © 2019 Lunaphore
The first rapid screening test for cancer developed by EPFL spin-off Lunaphore is being released today. It holds the European Union's CE marking and will be available in most European countries.
Lunaphore's tumor analysis system LabSatTM detects and classifies tumors more quickly and reliably than existing solutions. The microfluidic system, developed through doctoral research at the EPFL's School of Engineering, is designed for use by research labs, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals. It hits the market today.
Test results in just minutes
With LabSatTM, tumor biopsy results are available in a matter of minutes rather than hours. This is the first product that the company has marketed since its founding in 2014.
The underlying technology is immunohistochemistry, which is widely used in diagnostic practice. It identifies tumor-specific biomarkers in a given tissue sample. The tissue sample is stained with labeled antibodies and then viewed under a microscope. Researchers can then visually ascertain the presence and location of any tumor-specific biomarkers. This process normally takes several hours.
The system was designed at
EPFL and then developed by Lunaphore. It aims to achieve high-precision staining, which will ultimately slash the time required for reagents to incubate. The results appear just 10 to 30 minutes later.
Lunaphore, which is based at EPFL Innovation Park, has raised 11.3 million francs so far – 5.3 million of which in August 2018. The company has been awarded a number of Swiss and international awards, including Venture Kick, PERL award, Venture, Venture Leaders and Science for Life.
Photo: Ata Tuna Ciftlik, CEO of the spin-off Lunaphore. His PhD theses is the starting point of the device developped by Lunaphore.