Cyted launches first clinical procedures
CAMBRIDGE, UK, 13 August 2020: Cyted Ltd (“Cyted” or “the Company”), a developer and provider of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and digital diagnostic infrastructure to enable earlier detection of disease, today announced the launch of the first clinics for diagnostic procedures for early detection of Barrett’s Oesophagus, a precursor to oesophageal cancer. The clinics will be run in collaboration with Medtronic and Pathognomics, at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).
The clinics represent a step forward in non-endoscopic oesophageal cell sample collection and implementation of an integrated diagnostic workflow for early detection of oesophageal cancer. Sample collection is carried out using the Cytosponge cell collection devicebyMedtronic, consisting of a mesh sphere on a string inside a gelatine capsule. The capsule is swallowed by the patient and the gelatine capsule dissolves in the stomach allowing the sponge to expand. The sponge is then withdrawn from the stomach, sampling cells from the surface of the oesophagus. The cells and biomarkers associated with Barrett’s Oesophagus are then analysed using the Cyted pathology platform.
Dr Maria O’Donovan, CMO, Cyted, said:
We are delighted to be working with UCLH, alongside Medtronic and Pathognomics, to launch the first clinical procedures for the early detection of Barrett’s Oesophagus. We are excited to bring this technology to patients, which, when paired with our state-of-the-art biomarkers and digital solutions to maximise accuracy and high-throughput delivery, will make a real difference to the earlier detection of oesophageal cancer.
Prof Rebecca Fitzgerald, CSO, Cyted, said:
Early detection of cancer is key to transforming patient outcomes. With oesophageal cancer we have a unique opportunity due to the combination of an identifiable at-risk population coupled with excellent therapy options. The new clinic at UCLH represents a critical next step in being able to offer a simple, non-endoscopic test with rapid results to identify those patients who need further investigation. I hope this is just the beginning and we see expansion of these clinics across other regions in the future. We aim to make this technology widely available and apply this overall approach to other early detection challenges that have hitherto not been possible.
About Cyted
Cytedis enabling the earlier detection of disease, providing products and services that combine proprietary artificial intelligence technology and digital diagnostic infrastructure with next generation biomarkers.
With significant expertise in pathology, the Company is developing a pipeline of digital and molecular tests for disease detection and risk stratification to streamline diagnostic and clinical workflows. Cyted has the capacity to rapidly implement its sample processing and analysis workflow at scale via Dialogical®, its proprietary pathology reporting platform based on machine learning algorithms.
The Company’s services and products are initially focused on oesophageal cancer, where the combination of patient population, pathological analysis and therapeutic options offers a unique opportunity to improve patient outcomes through early detection.
About Morningside Venture Capital
Morningside Group was founded in 1986, by the Chan family of Hong Kong, to make private equity and venture capital investments. The group is managed by investment professionals who are entrepreneurial, have deep industry knowledge and are effective in the local environment in which they operate. In addition to its investment activities, Morningside Group is strongly committed to social responsibility.
About Project DELTA
Project DELTA aims to improve the diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. It is a collaboration between the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Kings College London, the PHG Foundation and Cyted. Advisory Board support is provided by Action Against Heartburn, Heartburn Cancer UK, the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance and Newcastle University. The project aims to develop algorithms to identify individuals most at risk. These people will be offered a Cytosponge™-TFF3 test, which can be delivered in an office setting. Cyted will develop AI algorithms to assist pathologists with rapid diagnoses. People diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus can then be monitored regularly for early signs of cancer.
