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GeneFirst wins €2.9m Horizon 2020 grant to deliver predictive diagnostic panel for HPV infections evolving into cervical cancer
Oxford, UK. GeneFirst Limited, the leader in delivering innovative solutions for HPV testing today announces the award of a €2.9 million up-front grant from the SME Instrument of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Programme to develop a predictive assay panel that can discriminate those hrHPV infections at increased risk of disease progression. This work will be conducted with GeneFirst’s joint collaborator, Hiantis S.r.l, based in Milan, Italy, who has extensive experience in clinical and laboratory research. Complementing their current HPV CE marked assay, based on GeneFirst’s breakthrough patented MPA technology, the consortium will develop “HPV OncoPredict”, a ground-breaking IVD that will be able to detect all oncogenic “high-risk” HPV genotypes frequently causing cervical infection as well as the accurate identification of those 10% of infected women who are truly at risk of developing cervical cancer. Both Hiantis and GeneFirst will be expected to deliver highly predictive screening and predictive markers comprised of normalised viral DNA load and E6/E7 mRNA respectively, for the screening and/or reflex testing of HPV-positive samples, aimed at discriminating those hrHPV infections at increased risk of disease progression. In addition, there will be three sites across Europe to carry out the necessary clinical validations for the products to deliver CE marking credentials.
About GeneFirst Limited:
GeneFirst is a molecular diagnostics company specialised in developing Best-In-Class solutions for cancer and infectious diseases testing using its suite of patented and proprietary breakthrough technologies to bring to market innovative diagnostic products.
About Hiantis:
Hiantis S.r.l., is an innovative SME focused on the identification, development and commercialisation of health-related products using patent protected IP. The areas of interest include in vitro diagnostic medical devices, new drug formulations and antiseptics for skin infections.
About SME Instrument:
SME Instrument was launched as part of the Horizon 2020 Competitive Work Programme to attract SME’s to apply for funding to support innovative projects with high market potential and commercial return. Projects are 100% funded and are for a 2 year period.
For more information please contact:
Winnie Wu
Chief Operations Officer
+44 (0) 1865 407 098