T-Ray Science, Inc has entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) with the BC Cancer Agency to assist in the production of several clinical prototypes of the skin cancer detection device which the company licensed from the BC Cancer Agency. Dr Haishan Zeng serves as the principal investigator under the CRA. Dr Zeng is also a Consultant for T-Ray and one of the inventors of the skin cancer detector.
T-Ray is targeting for an Alpha prototype of the device to be completed in April 2011, and seven Beta prototypes ready for clinical trials to be completed by September 2011 at which time clinical trials will commence.
“Collaboration with the BC Cancer Agency on the production of our skin cancer device significantly decreases our development time and cost to get to market,” said Thomas Braun, the Company’s CEO. “Having access to the expertise and imaging laboratory at the BC Cancer Agency for production purposes ensures a seamless transfer of technology and a streamlined production schedule. This allows us to lower the cost of the device, which results in greater accessibility and the potential for greater market share.”
The skin cancer detector will save lives by enhancing early detection, and lower health care costs by eliminating many unnecessary surgical biopsies. There are also substantial health care cost savings by treating cancer at an earlier stage.
“We know the device works because it has been tested over a six year period on about 1000 lesions at the Vancouver Skin Care Centre. Published intermediate results demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 70% for melanoma detection. In addition to eliminating unnecessary biopsies, the results are immediate so the patient does not have to wait to find out if they have skin cancer,” said Thomas Braun.
T-Ray Science is a medical device company committed to developing innovative systems for the early detection of cancer.
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer.