Cambridge Oncometrix is developing a non-invasive, accurate, sensitive and affordable diagnostic test for the early detection of prostate cancer – the CAMONX test.
This highly accurate diagnostic test can be performed by men in the comfort of their homes to check the health of their prostate or by their GP or urologist. The test can be used either on a sample of seminal fluid or prostatic secretion.
People’s Choice Award at Pitch@Palace business competition shows, how such a test is needed.
Photo from St.James’s Palace March 9, 2016. From right to Left: D.Soloviev & M.Rossmann from Cambridge Oncometrix, other award winners and HRH The Duke Of York announcing the awards.
The results of the test will show whether the prostate is in a healthy condition or not. Importantly, the test will specifically distinguish between Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is the most common prostatic condition in men over 45 and it mimics the symptoms of prostate cancer. The test will be significantly more precise, convenient and accurate than the PSA blood test, which is currently the gold standard screening test that is used before biopsies are taken.
Our vision:
– The CAMONX-Home test will be a simple colour based dip stick test that will be as simple to use as a pregnancy test. It will provide peace of mind for men and their families who have concerns about the condition of their prostate. When used at home, the CAMONX test will provide men with a very accurate indication of whether they need to visit their doctor for further diagnosis.
– The CAMONX-Pro test will be an important, non-invasive and accurate tool for doctors managing prostate cancer patients who have been offered an active surveillance programme. The instrument is very easy to use and the GP or urologist will receive the results of the test immediately.
– Our test will become a very important non-invasive diagnostic tool to determine whether a patient is at a high-risk for prostate cancer and will prevent unnecessary repeat biopsies.
– Being easy-to-use and affordable we hope that our test will become available to men all over the world, even in the most remote of locations.
– Our test has the potential to become a life-saving prostate cancer screening test.
Current status of development:
– We have discovered a set of novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
– We have developed an accurate and robust assay for an instrumental version of the CAMONX test, which will be performed at the point of care.
– We have set up an international collaboration with urologists and specialised clinics.
– We have started a proof of concept clinical investigation to complete the characterisation of cancer biomarkers and refine the corresponding assays.
– We have set up collaboration with an academic partner.
University of Central Lancashire, March 2016. Dr.Carole Rolph, Dr.Maxim Rossmann and Joe Mather, B.Sc.
What are the Funds needed for?
To make our test available to every man on the planet we need £4.5 Million. This crowdfunding campaign will speed up the completion of stage 1 and kickstart the project towards stage 2 and beyond.
- £150,000 is needed to complete the on going proof of concept clinical investigation of CAMONX biomarkers.
- £350,000 is needed to complete the development of measurement methods and data processing algorithms.
- £1 M is needed to develop test device prototypes.
- £3 M is needed to conduct clinical trials and obtain regulatory approvals for the test device.
Rewards:
We can’t offer much in the way of material rewards but as a group of scientists fighting the most prevalent cancer among men we can offer the following:
Gratitude: A personal thank you letter from the test developers to the pledger for supporting those hoping to help millions of people.
Inspiration: A download of “My Life” single composed by inspirational prostate cancer fighter and campaigner Kevin Vardy.
Readiness: A download of Cambridge Oncometrix’s guide to prostate health and longevity.
Awareness: A specially commissioned CitrusFriends’ T-shirt.
Peace of mind: The opportunity to be among the first men to receive the test.
Hope: An original painting by Mr. Shaun George, a double cancer survivor.
We realize, that most of you want to help us selflessly. You can also choose to pledge anonimously not asking for any material rewards. Just choose £1 pledge and add any amount to your pledge. Your support is very important to us!
To our backers:
Huge thank you to everybody who has supported us!
We have already raised enough funds to support MSc fellowship at University of Central Lancashire for a very gifted student Joe Mather featured at the photo below 4th left.
From left to right: Mr. Kevin Vardy, prostate cancer fighter and campaigner, Dmitry Soloviev, PhD, Cambridge Oncometrix Chief Scientist, Cambridge Oncometrix CEO Maxim Rossmann, PhD, UCLan biomedical master’s student Joe Mather and Dr. Carole Rolph, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Central Lancashire.
About our Citrus Friends supporters on the T-shirt:
Did you know, that healthy prostate is the size of a wallnut and produces loads of citiric acid? This is the same acid, that makes the taste of lemon. If you range the concentrations of citric acid in the increasing order you will obtain the following row:
Orange (5mM)< Healthy Prostate (75mM)< Lemon (300mM).
When the cancer resides inside the prostate, this picture changes dramatically – as you can see it on the banner above. Our Citrus Friends are campaiging against the Porstate cancer.
The bad grey guy represents the canerous prostate. If detected early it could be treated!
By the way, the bad grey guy on the banner was designed by our main supporter, prostate cancer fighter and Prostate cancer test campaigner Mr.Kevin Vardy. Please visit his page and say hello to him!
Our supporters on the world map:
People watch our campaign video all over the world: French Polinesia, Caribbean , South Africa, New Zealand and the whole of Europe, of course!
With your help we already start making difference – prostate cancer awareness! Please share this project with you friends. To win big we need to keep momentum!