Flomics Biotech Develops RNA-Based Blood Test for Early Cancer Detection

A liquid biopsy (blood test) developed by UPF Flomics Biotech is capable of accurately detecting five types of cancer, colon, lung, prostate, pancreas and breast in early stages.

That is the conclusion of a study presented by this emerging biotechnology company founded by former researchers from the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Barcelona on this test based on a technology that uses cell-free RNA , next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics driven by artificial intelligence.

The study, carried out with more than 1,000 blood samples, has a 92% probability of correctly differentiating between a sample with cancer and one without cancer, along with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 90% .

Study in eight hospitals

Within the framework of the 10th Liquid Biopsy Symposium, held from 23 to 25 January in Santiago de Compostela, Flomics Biotech, a biotechnology start-up specialising in RNA-based liquid biopsy, has presented this important advance, which UPF reported on Friday in a press release.

The results of the latest study carried out with this blood test from different patients from eight hospitals , including the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and the Andalusian Biobank, demonstrated the test’s ability to detect cancer in phase I, with a sensitivity of 80%, which reinforces its potential as a key tool for early detection, when treatments are most effective.

These results position Flomics at the forefront of RNA-based diagnostics and consolidate RNA as a state-of-the-art biomarker for multi-cancer screening; given that it is an accurate, minimally invasive and scalable test , and that in this case achieves 92% accuracy .

RNA as a biomarker

Flomics Biotech’s liquid biopsy is based on the RNA as a biomarker method. Conventional liquid biopsy methods (blood test) rely on circulating tumor DNA, which detects cancer mainly in advanced stages , when the tumor burden is more significant.

In contrast, RNA offers a real-time view of gene expression, capturing the dynamic molecular changes that occur in the early stages of cancer development. By integrating NGS and AI-driven bioinformatics, Flomics has developed a biomarker discovery platform , capable of identifying and analyzing RNA expression patterns associated with tumor presence, and providing superior sensitivity for early-stage cancers .

“These results confirm that RNA is a key biomarker for early cancer detection,” explains João Curado, CEO and co-founder of Flomics Biotech, who notes that “by leveraging advanced sequencing and artificial intelligence technologies, we have developed a highly accurate, minimally invasive and scalable liquid blood biopsy test , opening up new possibilities for early cancer detection on a large scale .”

Early detection improves survival

Flomics’ study focuses on five types of cancer (colorectal, lung, prostate, pancreatic and breast) and has shown promising results in all categories.

The ability to detect cancer in stage I, with a sensitivity of 80%, is particularly significant, as early detection dramatically improves survival rates. Flomics’ RNA technology offers a clear advantage over traditional methods, by capturing molecular alterations that DNA-based approaches do not detect , becoming a paradigm shift in preventive medicine.

Clinical trials, next step

Following the results of the study, Flomics will move forward to clinical trials, a crucial step towards regulatory approval and subsequent commercial launch.

As explained in the statement, large-scale validation studies are currently being prepared in collaboration with hospitals and research institutions to evaluate the performance of the test in real clinical settings. The company aims to bring its liquid biopsy technology to market, which will allow for the early detection of cancer through a simple blood test.

Flomics seeks funding

To support this next phase, Flomics is launching a new round of funding to accelerate clinical trials, regulatory approvals and commercial expansion. Having already raised over €4 million in private and public funding, Flomics is seeking additional investment to accelerate its entry into the healthcare sector.

“We are at a pivotal moment where our technology can redefine early cancer diagnosis,” adds Curado. “With the right partners and funding, we can bring this innovation to patients around the world, saving lives through early detection and better treatment options.”

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