Novosanis, a medical device company and spin-off from the University of Antwerp, has received funding from the European Commission (Horizon 2020) which allows exploring strategies to successfully launch the Colli-Pee device to specifically reach non-attendees of the cervical cancer screening programmes in the EU28 and beyond.

Novosanis has received the grant to provide the Colli-Pee device, as a non-invasive, user-friendly self-sampling device suited for home-based collection to non-attendees in cervical screening programmes. In particular, the Colli-Pee device allows for standardized collection of first void urine (first 20ml of the urine stream) in which human papilloma virus (a virus able to cause cervical cancer) can be detected. Additionally, the grant will also allow Novosanis preparing a pan-European clinical trial to assess the use of first void urine collected using Colli-Pee in clinical practice.

Vanessa Vankerckhoven, CEO Novosanis, says, “We are extremely proud to be considered by the European Commission as one of the companies with the most innovative ideas in the world. This exceptional grant in the framework of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme is specifically aimed at supporting SMEs. After a successful feasibility study, Novosanis aims at applying for additional subsidies that will not only allow conducting clinical trials in the EU28, but also boost the use of the Colli-Pee device as part of the cervical screening programmes at European level and beyond.”

'VALidation of human PApilloma virus assays on Self-collected first void urine samples’ is a feasibility study. Interestingly, at the second cut-off date of 2015, only three Belgian SMEs obtained phase 1 funding including Novosanis. Last year a total of 13 Belgian SMEs received phase 1 funding. Novosanis strives to submit a succeeding phase 2 proposal spring 2016.

From September 17 to September 21, 2015 the 30th International Papillomavirus Conference will take place in Lisbon, Portugal. Novosanis will have a booth at the conference and will be presenting their latest results on detection of HPV in urine samples and use of the Colli-Pee device to reach non-attendees in the screening programmes during the scientific poster sessions.