Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: biotech firm eyes cervical cancer test breakthrough
Hong Kong biotech entrepreneur Ricky Chiu Yin-to is seeking to make cervical cancer screening easier through urine-based HPV testing, using sample-concentration technology developed by his company. His company, Phase Scientific, made its name during the Covid-19 pandemic through its rapid antigen test, Indicaid. The product received US emergency-use authorisation in July 2021, was used in Hong…
Ricky Chiu Yin-to, a Hong Kong biotech entrepreneur, is aiming to simplify cervical cancer screening through urine-based HPV testing. His company, Phase Scientific, developed a urine sample-concentration technology that detects biological material typically difficult to find in standard tests. This technology was initially used during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing the company to secure funds, manufacturing experience, and a team to pursue longer-term research.
Phase Scientific's technology involves concentrating material already present in a liquid sample before testing, increasing the chances of detecting small amounts of particles. The founder, chairman, and CEO of Phase Scientific, Chiu earned a spot as a finalist in the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards for his work. The company is currently taking part in clinical studies in mainland China and Hong Kong to further develop the urine-based HPV testing method.
Chiu believes that urine self-sampling could make cervical screening more accessible for women who may be reluctant to undergo conventional sample collection. Additionally, Phase Scientific is researching the potential of their concentration method to detect early-stage cancers such as liver and lung cancer.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
