Fast and effective diagnostic test for the early detection of residual tumours to prevent cancer recurrence

Project Information

SenolT

Grant agreement ID: 826909

DOI

10.3030/826909

Project closed

EC signature date 23 July 2018

Start date 1 August 2018

End date 31 January 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

SENOLYTIC THERAPEUTICS SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SenolT (Fast and effective diagnostic test for the early detection of residual tumours to prevent cancer recurrence)

Reporting period: 2018-08-01 to 2019-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The main concern regarding cancer treatment is its high rate of recurrence. It may happen soon or years later and it’s very hard to predict/prevent. Removing residual tumour cells is the best way to avoid recurrence, so identifying new tumour markers is the most pressing demand from oncologists. We have developed SenolT, an innovative diagnostic test for the early detection and monitor of senescent cells that appear after chemotherapy/radiotherapy and which are directly associated to cancer recurrence.

Senolytic Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company that develops a novel class of medicines by targeting damaged cells. Our mission is to advance our portfolio of therapies to clinical trials and improve the lives of patients and families. The initial target market of SenolT will be cancer patients that received chemotherapy/radiotherapy. It is important for society because we have developed a detection of senescent cells as a diagnostic method to predict recurrence and no other companies are working on that, our competitors are focused on liquid biopsy tests and cancer-related protein markers.

The objectives were:
- Demonstration of the market viability, quantifying the level of market demand and willingness to pay by main users.
- Analysis of the risks and potential entry barriers due to acceptance and regulation.
- Updating of the business plan, plotting the business model, route to market, penetration and marketing strategies, inception and commercialization for SenolT.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

This project consists of 3 main tasks: market study, management and coordination of the study, and elaboration of a business plan according to the new, more reliable data obtained.
- Market survey in 8 countries that has helped assess the potential level of market penetration of SenolT. Finally, we have performed a cost-benefit analysis on the investment needed to produce and sell SenolT with our own manufacturing and sale forces.

- Coordination: We involved all the key personnel participating in the launch of SenolT into the market.

- Business plan: We have drafted a comprehensive Business plan to identify the key countries for the early commercialization of SenolT and consider all appropriate marketing and commercialization strategies.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

A diagnostic tool targeting accumulated senescence cells will be useful not only to become a companion for novel therapies but also to multiple clinical applications. In particular, the high rate of recurrence is one of the main problems regarding cancer. It may happen soon after treatment or years later and there is no way to determine if or when it will happen. Detecting and removing residual tumour cells is the most effective way to prevent recurrence, and as such, identifying new tumour markers is the most pressing demand from oncologists. One of the biggest challenges in cancer therapy is the full eradication of malignant tumours and of any minimal residual disease after treatment, which is the main predictor of relapse and survival.

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