Flomics Biotech, a biotechnology startup founded by former researchers from Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and specializing in RNA-based liquid biopsy, continues to revolutionize the field of early cancer diagnosis. In addition, the company participates in the Industrial Doctorate Plan with three applied research projects that complement and enhance the advances presented in its latest initiative.
The three projects of the Flomics Biotech Industrial Doctorate Plan
- Next-generation liquid biopsy with circulating RNA for early detection of complex diseases : this project, in collaboration with UPF, aims to develop a next-generation liquid biopsy that combines optimal profiling of plasma RNA through next-generation sequencing (NGS) with advanced machine learning algorithms to detect complex diseases early from a simple blood sample.
- Development of a liquid biopsy test for the detection of colorectal cancer in the early stages, suitable for population screening : carried out in collaboration with the Center for Genomic Regulation, the project focuses on the creation of a non-invasive, economical and highly sensitive diagnostic test to detect colorectal cancer in the early stages, providing an alternative to current methods.
- FL-TOO: Deconvolution of the tissue origin of the cell-free transcriptome for non-invasive screening of multiple types of cancer : in collaboration with the Genomic Regulation Center and the UPF, the third project aims to develop an RNA-seq-based methodology to identify the tissue origin of circulating transcripts, thus offering an innovative approach for the detection of various types of cancer.
These lines of research are integrated with the results recently presented by Flomics Biotech within the framework of the 10th Liquid Biopsy Symposium, held from January 23 to 25 in Santiago de Compostela, where the high accuracy of its blood test for detecting five types of cancer in the early stages was demonstrated.
A revolutionary test for early cancer detection
Flomics Biotech's latest study, conducted with more than 1,000 blood samples collected in eight hospitals (including the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and the Biobanc d'Andalusia), has shown that the liquid biopsy based on RNA biomarkers achieves an area under the curve (AUC) of 92%, with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 90%. A highlight is the test's ability to detect stage I cancer with a sensitivity of 80%, which can make a crucial difference in patient survival.
Flomics' innovative approach lies in the use of cell-free RNA, which allows the capture of molecular changes in real time and the identification of gene expression patterns associated with tumor presence. Unlike methods based on circulating tumor DNA, this method offers a much earlier diagnostic window, opening the door to more effective treatments.
Thanks to these promising results, Flomics Biotech is moving towards the clinical trials phase, a key step towards regulatory approval and the subsequent commercial launch of the test. In parallel, the company is launching a new round of financing to accelerate this process and expand the use of its technology on a large scale. “ We are at a key moment in which our technology can redefine early cancer diagnosis ,” said João Curado, CEO and co-founder of Flomics Biotech, highlighting that early detection can save lives through more effective therapeutic intervention.
An integrative approach that promotes preventive medicine
Flomics Biotech's advances are not only based on cutting-edge technology, but are also linked to the research projects of the Industrial Doctorate Plan, which work on the continuous improvement of diagnosis through the combination of NGS, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence. This set of initiatives reinforces the company's commitment to transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment, making it more accessible and efficient for the population.
With its commitment to early detection through liquid blood biopsy, Flomics Biotech positions itself as a benchmark in the field of RNA-based diagnostics, with the potential to significantly improve patients' quality of life and reduce the economic burden on healthcare systems.
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