Project description
Ultrasensitive and fast detection of head and neck cancer recurrence
Disease recurrence after initial remission is the leading cause of cancer-related death. The Dutch start-up company Cyclomics has developed a circulating tumour DNA detection technology for head and neck cancer (HNC) recurrence that detects mutations in the TP53 gene. Its innovative sequencing methodology enables reliable, fast and ultrasensitive detection of cancer recurrence from blood samples/liquid biopsies. The majority of patients with HNC carry specific DNA mutations in the TP53 gene, and therefore the application of this novel technology also presents a considerable market opportunity for the company. The EU-funded ONCOTECT feasibility study will allow obtaining critical insight into the commercialisation strategy.
Objective
Cyclomics BV is a Dutch start-up company with the ambition to disrupt the cancer diagnostics market with its proprietary circulating tumor (ct) DNA detection technology. Cyclomics has developed a ground-breaking sequencing methodology that enables reliable, fast and ultra-sensitive detection of cancer recurrence from blood samples (liquid biopsies).
The first product, ONCOTECT, detects oncogenic mutations in the TP53 gene, and is developed for accurate and early detection of head and neck cancer (HNC) recurrence. Recurrent disease after initial remission is a main cause of cancer-related death. In HNC, radiological examination is the current standard in detecting cancer lesions but is unable to reliably detect recurrence early on, leading to treatment delays and lower survival rates. Integration of the ONCOTECT assay into routine clinical workflow is inexpensive and will provide faster time-to-results relative to competing sequencing methods.
Since 90% of HNC patients carry specific oncogenic DNA mutations in the TP53 gene, the first application of this novel technology in recurrent HNC presents a considerable market opportunity for ONCOTECT. After achieving clinical proof-of-concept in a cohort of 20 patients, Cyclomics will offer its technology for licensing to a diagnostics company to further develop ONCOTECT as an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kit and bring it to the market, with the aim of enabling superior quality in diagnostic and clinical decision making. ONCOTECT focuses on TP53 but the underlying technology can be applied to many different genes. Leveraging this potential, Cyclomics’ long-term vision includes monitoring of cancer treatment response and early screening programs, encompassing various genes and cancer types, with the potential to impact the full spectrum of cancer care. In this SME feasibility study, Cyclomics will obtain critical insight for commercialization strategy, including freedom to operate (FTO), user needs and regulatory requirements.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
3531 BX UTRECHT
Netherlands
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.