Dxcover Limited, developer of liquid biopsies for the early detection of cancer, has secured US patents for its Dxcover Autosampler and the Dxcover Brain Cancer Liquid Biopsy.
The Glasgow-based company has developed an alternative approach to traditional blood sampling liquid biopsy for the early detection of cancer through its unique testing which uses attenuated total reflection via infrared light. This, combined with machine learning algorithms, analyses the whole molecular composition of a blood sample, allowing for earlier diagnosis for patients.
Dxcover has pioneered translation to clinical use by developing its Drop.Dry.Detect technique and patented hardware designed specifically for the analysis of biofluids. Securing the US patent is a major milestone for firm and reaffirms Dxcover’s ambitions for US expansion.
Matthew Baker, chief technology officer at Dxcover, said: “While minimally invasive liquid biopsy analysis is a powerful tool in the detection and diagnosis of cancer, most target specific genetic material, such as circulating tumour DNA. However, this approach is limited for early-stage tumour detection due to the low abundance of cancerous genetic material, which is diminished further in brain cancers by the blood-brain barrier. Our test allows us to detect these cancers at a much earlier stage, giving patients the best possible chance at recovery.
“This patent is a substantial addition to our portfolio. We already have patent protection in the EU, US and China for our novel approach for the detection of all cancers and now protection for the hardware and methodology for high throughput IR analysis for multiple applications.”
The capabilities of Dxcover’s device have been proven in two clinical studies which have demonstrated the test’s ability to clearly discriminate between patients with a recent brain tumour diagnosis and asymptomatic controls. This, combined with the ability to identify gliomas as small as 0.2cm3, highlights Dxcover’s potential to revolutionise the diagnosis of early-stage brain cancer and ultimately provide better health outcomes for patients.
Mark Hegarty, CEO of Dxcover, said: “The Dxcover platform will help clinicians detect cancer earlier, improving treatment plans, surgical outcomes, patient prognosis and quality of life. We see this technology as the future of cancer diagnostics, providing a range of first-line tests to assist clinicians in making everyday count in the fight against cancer and other diseases.
“These patents shows the continued progress we have been making as a business. Being able to show investors that we have a unique product which will be a game-changer in terms of patient outcomes will become vital as we move forward.
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate across national borders, so having the patent is a great platform for us to continue to expand into America and ultimately improve outcomes for American cancer patients.”
