Oxford Biodynamics launches highly accurate prostate cancer screening test in UK and US

Oxford Biodynamics (OBD) revealed it has launched its highly accurate EpiSwitch prostate screening (PSE) test in the UK and the US.

It means the product, which is 94% accurate, will be immediately available to men being screened for prostate cancer, including those who have received an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) result.

The test is carried out alongside a standard PSA test, and combines the PSA score with five proprietary biomarkers to predict, with 94% accuracy, the presence, or absence, of cancer.

READ MORE: Biotech firm Oxford Biodynamics "well positioned for commercial success" despite losses

The company noted that the current the PSA test was only 55% accurate and was considered 'unreliable' by many doctors. If PSA levels are elevated, patients then face retesting or more invasive methods such as a prostate biopsy.

Meanwhile, the firm's EpiSwitch PSE test offers an alternative as men with a results showing a low likelihood of cancer can then be placed on active surveillance and retested later without the need for an invasive biopsy.

"There is a clear need in everyday clinical practice for a much more accurate blood test that can screen men for prostate cancer and accurately identify those at risk, while sparing those who up to now would be subject to unnecessary, expensive, and invasive procedures," said Dr Jon Burrows, the CEO of Oxford-based OBD.

"It feels wholly appropriate that the early launch of the test coincides with Prostate Cancer Awareness month," he added.

The PSE test is the result of almost a decade of collaboration between OBD, Imperial College London, University of East Anglia, Imperial College NHS Trust and UK's leading prostate cancer experts as part of the PROSTAGRAM screening pilot.

The results of a trial were published in the peer reviewed publication called Cancers2 in February this year.
Mathias Winkler, Consultant urologist and surgeon, Charing Cross Hospital and Imperial College London, noted: "PSE is a diagnostic prostate cancer test with unprecedented accuracy.

"Nine of 10 cancers are found compared to 3 of 10 with PSA alone. Likewise, false-positive results are reduced avoiding unnecessary anxiety and expense."

Initially, the PSE test will be available to men in the UK using the US testing facility to process results but the company said it was in the process of obtaining ISO15189 certification for a clinical lab within its Oxford lab.

Certification is expected early in 2024 and then tests like EpiSwitch PSE will be run there - shortening the overall turnaround time for results.

Oxford BioDynamics is a global biotech, which is developing and commercializing precision medicine tests for life-changing diseases.

Its flagship products are the EpiSwitch CiRT (Checkpoint Inhibitor Response Test) and EpiSwitch PSE (EpiSwitch Prostate Screening test) blood tests.

Visit Hampshire Biz News for bright, upbeat and positive business news from the county