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Disruptive imaging technology for accurate and painless breast cancer diagnosis

Project description

Novel examination for breast cancer

The primary method used in breast cancer diagnosis is mammography, a 2D X-ray examination which requires firmly compressing the breast to reach acceptable image quality. This method has limited sensitivity in women with dense breast tissues, leading to frequent patient recalls and the need for additional tests or procedures. The EU-funded GI-BCT project develops a novel 3D breast computed-tomography scanner, based on grating interferometry, which produces higher quality images with increased contrast, offering better delineation of potential lesions. The breast can be scanned in its natural state without compression and contrast agents, significantly improving the comfort for women. This will lead to more women undergoing preventive breast cancer check-ups, ultimately saving their lives.

Objective

Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in women, as 1 in 9 women are affected and 1 in 30 will die from the disease. Early detection is essential to reduce the mortality, thus countries have established routing screening programs. The problem is that main screening procedure of mammography is painful for patients, produces high rate of false positives for women with dense breast tissue, provides limited contrast, low-resolution and poor tissue discrimination properties. False positives lead to performing unnecessary therapeutic procedures. Also cancer in dense breasts is missed out by mammography, lowering survival outcomes when discovered in later stage.
GratXray is entering the 3,56 BEUR size breast imaging market with our disruptive grating interferometry-based breast computed tomography – GI-BCT technology. GI-BCT will provide painless, efficient and precise breast cancer imaging. The breast will be scanned in its natural state in 3D, without compression and contrast agents, yielding images with a much higher contrast and better resolution. Thus saving €1,85B in healthcare costs in Europe and US by avoiding recalls, €640 000 from machinery costs for breast centers and potentially save treatment costs in the amount of €95 000 per patient.
We have worked for the past 15 years in GI-BCT research and have a solid patent portfolio of 8 granted patents. Currently, we have demonstrated our technology in operational environment, and we are ready to start first clinical trials in 2D with the goal to make first sales in Q1 2021. We have formed a team that combines strong scientific, industry and user know-how. We estimate that a further investment of €5M and 3 years is required to reach the commercialization stage. We estimate that in year 6 we have hired 50 employees, sold 59 systems per year, have 207 service contracts, revenue of 68 MEUR, net profits of 21 MEUR and reach ROI of 4 (400%).

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

GRATXRAY AG
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
PARK INNOVAARE
5234 VILLIGEN
Switzerland

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Aargau
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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