Capsule Photonics has developed an innovative diagnostic tool called LightUp, a capsule endoscope. This advanced device is capable of creating microscopy-like images to detect cancer biomarkers effectively. It utilizes a combination of Optical Coherence Tomography and targeted fluorescence imaging technologies, allowing for full 360-degree and subsurface visualization of the esophagus. This breakthrough technology not only enhances the early detection of esophageal cancer, significantly improving patient survival chances, but also simplifies the screening process to be efficiently conducted by a single nurse in just a few minutes.
The Venture Challenge jury, including Carine Van Den Brink (Chair), Geert-Jan Mulder, Martijn Hackmann, Eleanor Price, and Inez de Greef-van der Sandt, praised Capsule Photonics for its compelling presentation and robust understanding of the regulatory landscape. The team's innovative approach addresses the urgent need for early and precise detection of esophageal cancer—a disease often diagnosed too late for effective treatment.
Every year, over half a million people are diagnosed with esophageal cancer, with only a 25% survival rate, primarily due to late-stage detection. Current endoscopic screenings miss about 25% of early cancers and are both time-consuming and labor-intensive. LightUp's design allows patients to swallow the capsule without the need for sedation, with a nurse retrieving it via a string, imaging the esophagus within minutes.
Looking ahead, Capsule Photonics aims to expand this technology to other organs, potentially revolutionizing the detection and management of various cancers.
Read more about the venture: https://www.lifesciencesatwork.nl/lsw-venture-challenge