Biocartis will use this IWT-subsidy (from the Flemish government) to develop new diagnostic cancer tests that will facilitate more targeted treatment and improve survival rates for patients.

Biocartis is a molecular diagnostics company that develops clinically relevant tests and innovative, easy-to-use platforms to be employed, amongst other indications, in the fight against cancer. With this grant, the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT) has affirmed its support for the innovative character of Biocartis.

During the two-year project a number of new cancer tests will be developed to be used on the fully automated Biocartis systems. The tests will detect known, validated oncogenes (cancer-causing mutations in the genome) and allow for more targeted treatment of certain cancers. The project will focus on skin, colon and lung cancer. Biocartis will also develop tests that permit the simultaneous detection of dozens of parameters for use with its recently launched multiplex detection platform aimed at the research market.

“Oncology is our company’s primary focus for the development of diagnostic tests. This grant will speed up the development of a broad range of clinically relevant tests that will help make cancer treatment more efficient and personalized as well as improve survival rates for patients,” says Erwin Sablon, Head of Applied Assay Development.

About Biocartis

Biocartis aims to improve healthcare outcomes by enabling the practice of personalized medicine anywhere, anytime. Biocartis’ ambition is to establish a new gold standard in diagnostic testing.

Biocartis’ innovative research and diagnostic systems are characterized by multiplex detection and simplified workflows which require less hands-on time and minimize sample requirements (especially for tumor biopsies). Additionally, Biocartis develops assays which have high clinical utility and compelling health economic value. Oncology is the primary focus of Biocartis as this is one of the greatest unmet needs for personalized medicine. Biocartis is well suited to address the growing need for individualized diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.

Biocartis is a rapidly growing company; to date Biocartis staff includes over 150 people. The company has raised in total close to EUR 150 million in equity.