Prof. Dr hab. Adam Lesner and Dr Natalia Gruba from the University of Gdańsk have been working on a quick and non-invasive diagnostic test to detect cancer of the urinary system epithelium, commonly known as cancer of the urinary system. The method suggested provides an alternative to the currently used methods in that it is innovative, quick, non-invasive and involves nothing more than a urine sample, and research carried out on 85 individuals has met with a success rate of 100 per cent. Further research samples to confirm the efficacy of the method will be collected at the Department of Urology of the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in Gdynia. The research is receiving financial backing from the UG’s Technology Transfer Office as part of the Innovation Incubator+ project.

Research into the innovative diagnostic test is related to an improvement in the quality of life and the treatment of modern-age diseases.

“The method suggested is an alternative to the methods currently in practice such as the bioanalytical method of identifying cancer cells in a urine sample, ultrasound imaging or endoscopy. The additional advantage of the method is the fact that it is non-invasive for the patient, with only a urine sample taken to detect a disease”, says Prof. Dr hab. Adam Lesner.

The research has received financial backing from the UG’s Technology Transfer Office as part of the Innovation Incubator+ project. The backing covers, amongst others, additional tests on a larger control group, intellectual property protection and conducting additional market analyses.

So far, the method has been tested on a group of 85 individuals (60 with a medical condition and 25 without) and assessed as 100% efficient. In light of such an excellent result, the decision was taken to expand the control group and carry out further tests, this time involving nearly 1,000 individuals. In order to confirm the efficacy of the method, further samples of research material will be collected at the Department of Urology of the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in Gdynia. The signing of an agreement between the University of Gdańsk and the Pomeranian Hospitals Management Board in Gdynia took place on 30 October 2017 at the University of Gdańsk. The agreement was signed on behalf of the University by Rector Prof. Jerzy Gwizdała, and on behalf of the Pomeranian Hospitals Management Board by Dr Dariusz Nałęcz, Vice-President of the Board. The event was also attended by researchers Prof. Adam Lesner and Dr Natalia Gruba as well as Dr Lech Stachurski MD, Head of the Department of Urology of the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in Gdynia, Prof. Krzysztof Bielawski, UG’s Vice-Rector for Development and Dr Karol Śledzik, Director of the UG’s Technology Transfer Office.

About the Innovation Incubator+ project

The Technology Transfer Office of the University of Gdańsk is implementing the Innovation Incubator+ project which aims to provide assistance to pre-implementation work and to strengthen cooperation between the academic environment and representatives of business. The project is being implemented in a Consortium comprising the University of Gdańsk, the Gdańsk University of Technology, the Medical University of Gdańsk and an SPV – PG Excento Sp. z o.o. As part of the Innovation Incubator+ project, the Technology Transfer Office of the University of Gdańsk has announced an internal competition to provide financial backing to activities involving the commercialisation of the results of research and development work. The decision to allocate funds to particular projects will rest with the Investment Committee, which is mainly made up of representatives of businesses and investment funds.

Contact:
Technology Transfer Office
University of Gdańsk
tel. +48 58 523 33 74
biuro@ctt.ug.edu.pl