Together with Almi Invest and business angels, LiU Invest is investing in Celluminova, which has developed a product that can detect cancer stem cells within 10 minutes and increases the chances of survival—a capability highly sought after by neurosurgeons.
Glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor, leads to death within 5 years in 95% of cases, and 100% of patients experience recurrence. These recurrences are largely due to cancer stem cells remaining in tumor tissue that cannot be removed during surgical procedures. Celluminova has developed a fluorescent molecule that binds to these stem cells, making it possible to see if stem cells remain in the tissue after an operation. This method allows procedures to be performed more precisely, thereby increasing the probability of extended life expectancy.
The goal of this investment is to develop a diagnostic product that can initially be used by pathologists and then, in the long term, be approved for use during surgical procedures. The product is called GlioStem and is also available as a lab kit for researchers to facilitate studies.
“Thanks to this investment, we can now take the product to a broader market, hire more talented individuals, conduct clinical trials, and explore additional application areas,” says Shirin Ilkhanizadeh, CEO of Celluminova.
