Sunderland cancer diagnostics firm expands into new European markets

A Sunderland-based cancer diagnostics firm has rolled out its flagship product into five new European markets, with further commercial agreements expected in the Middle East and Eastern Europe later this year.

Launched in 2015, Arquer Diagnostics develops fast, accurate and non-invasive cancer diagnostic tests and has set up clinical trials across the UK and Europe.

The company’s first breakthrough product, the bladder cancer test ADXBLADDER, was released commercially last year.

Via a small urine sample, it is able to give a ‘yes/no’ cancer diagnosis in as little as three hours, with 95% accuracy in detecting higher risk cancers and 97% accuracy in excluding the presence of a tumour.

After initially launching the product in the UK, France, Italy and Turkey, Arquer has now secured commercial agreements taking it into Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Negotiations with potential commercial partners in the Middle East and Eastern Europe are also close to being completed, with a US launch scheduled for 2020.

Arquer is also aiming to revolutionise testing for several other types of cancer, growing its North East presence in the process.

Nadia Whittley, CEO of Arquer, said: “Our future plans involve the launch of at least three new products for three new cancer diagnostic indications. These will be similar to our bladder cancer test in that they will fill a huge gap in the patient’s diagnostic pathway.

“Practically, this means we will continue to invest in expanding the research and development facility in Sunderland and adding more local talent to our team.

“Financially, we are hoping to secure new investment this year which will support our geographic expansion as well as a number of clinical studies which will support the launch of our new indications.”

Arquer currently employs 11 full-time staff at its base in the North East Business & innovation Centre (BIC) in Sunderland. The business’ growth has been supported by three institutional investors - including Northstar Ventures in Newcastle – who collectively have injected around £4m into Arquer.

The company has also been backed by Sunderland City Council, which provided support and advice to enable its early stage activities.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “Fast-growing, innovative businesses like Arquer Diagnostics are helping to build a knowledge economy eco-system across the city and create exciting opportunities for our rich pool of science and technology talent.

“It is fantastic to see a firm here in Sunderland finding commercial success while also potentially saving lives across the globe, and we follow its progress with interest.”

Arquer’s work is also backed by four international medical advisory boards, which bring together clinicians from Europe and the US.

The company is running trials throughout Europe, working with urologists who specialise in bladder, prostate and other cancers.

The firm has also worked closely with various UK healthcare bodies, including University College London Hospitals, North Cumbria NHS Trust and Sunderland Royal Hospital.