Verinnogen secures Innovate UK grant

Verinnogen has been awarded funding through the prestigious Innovate UK Analysis for Innovators programme. This grant will support Verinnogen's collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to optimise the optical systems within its innovative device designed to measure grafted tumours in animal models of cancer more accurately, precisely, and quickly. 

Pre-clinical trials for anticancer drugs rely heavily on the accurate measurement of tumour volumes, a task traditionally performed using manual callipers. This method, however, is fraught with challenges due to the complex shapes of tumours and the subjective nature of the measurements, often leading to significant inaccuracies. Verinnogen's hand-held, opto-electronic device employs advanced 3D surface profiling technology to deliver highly accurate and consistent tumour volume measurements, eliminating the variability and inefficiencies of manual techniques. 

"The support from Innovate UK and the collaboration with NPL are game changers for Verinnogen," said Dr Isaac Johnson, CEO of Verinnogen. "This grant will enable us to refine the optical elements of our technology, tapping in to the significant expertise of NPL, ultimately enhancing the accuracy of tumour measurements in cancer research and reducing the reliance on out-dated and variable methods." 

The collaboration with NPL, a world-renowned centre for metrology and scientific excellence, will leverage their deep-rooted expertise in computational modelling and optical characterisation. 

Matthew Stewart, Principal Engineer at NPL, commented, "We are excited to work alongside Verinnogen on this innovative project. Our expertise in optical systems will be instrumental in bringing this promising technology to market, where it has the potential to make a significant impact on the field of cancer research." 

This joint grant from Innovate UK underscores the alignment of Verinnogen's goals with those of the programme: to drive innovation and accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies that address critical challenges in industry into real-world solutions. Verinnogen is excited about the potential of this project to improve the accuracy of pre-clinical cancer research and contribute to the reduction of animal use in scientific studies. 

Verinnogen looks forward to a productive and energetic collaboration with NPL as they work together to bring this transformative technology to the forefront of cancer research, and it kindly acknowledges the support of Innovate UK.

This press release is adapted from here.