Micrima
- Portfolio Company: Micrima
- Date of Initial Investment: 27 March 2008
- Round of Financing: First Round
- Sector: Healthcare / Medical Imaging
- SWVF Role: Investor
Micrima, a spin-out from the University of Bristol, is developing a breast imaging system that captures high-resolution, 3D images through the use of harmless radio waves. The system is called MARIA - Multistatic Array processing for Radiowave Image Acquisition.
Breast cancer is the most common cause of death for women aged between 35 and 59 in the EU1. For various reasons the under-50s are not routinely screened. Micrima’s technology has the potential to offer several advantages over existing primary screening technology, which encounters difficulties in imaging the dense tissue associated with this younger age group. MARIA promises to provide better images in such tissue, and is also relatively inexpensive, intrinsically safe, and comfortable for the patient.
The implications of this safe new technology are far-reaching, particularly as the compact size and low cost of the MARIA system will make it ideal for use in numerous alternative locations such as GP surgeries, diagnostic centres and mobile screening units.
Initial blind trials with volunteers have shown MARIA to compare very well with current X-ray technology, correctly identifying all participants with anomalies and ‘clearing’ all healthy volunteers.
The initial investment will fund on-going technical development and further clinical trials at the Frenchay Hospital’s Breast Clinic in Bristol. Clinical work will then be extended to include women from other leading centres around the UK.
Website: www.micrima.com
