Professor Adam Lesner and doctor Natalia Gruba from the University of Gdańsk conduct research for quick and non-invasive diagnostic test for the detection of cancerous disease of bladder epithelium commonly called bladder cancer. The proposed method serves as an alternative to the currently used diagnostic techniques – it is innovative, fast and non-invasive and requires only a urine sample. A control group of 85 patients tested so far has proven 100% effectiveness of this method.

Further samples of the test material to confirm the effectiveness of the method will be collected at the Urological Department of the St. Vincent of Paulo Hospital in Gdynia. The research is conducted with the financial support of the UG Technology Transfer Office as part of the Incubator of Innovation+ project. The research on an innovative diagnostic test for the detection of bladder cancer is related to improvement of quality of life and the treatment of civilization diseases.

– The proposed method is an alternative to currently used bioanalytical methods for the identification of tumor cells in urine samples, ultrasonography imaging and for screening. An additional advantage of the method is that it is non-invasive to the patient – to detect the disease only a sample of urine is collected – says Prof. Adam Lesner.

The research was supported by the UG Technology Transfer Office within the Incubator of Innovation+ project. This support includes performing additional research on a larger control group, intellectual property rights protection and additional market research.

So far the method has been tested on a group of 85 patients (60 ill and 25 healthy adults) – its effectiveness was assessed at 100%. Due to such a good result, it was decided to expand the control group and conduct additional tests, which will involve nearly 1000 people. Further samples of the test material to confirm the effectiveness of the method will be collected at the Urological Department of the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in Gdynia. The agreement was signed on the 30th October, 2017 between the University of Gdańsk and the Management Board of Pomeranian Hospitals Ltd in Gdynia.

On behalf of the University, the contract was signed by Prof. Jerzy Gwizdała, Rector of the University of Gdańsk, on behalf of the Management Board of Pomeranian Hospitals Ltd in Gdynia – Dr Dariusz Nałęcz, Vice President of the Board. The signing of the agreement was also attended by the following scientists: Prof. Adam Lesner and Dr Natalia Gruba from the University of Gdańsk, as well as Dr Lech Stachurski, head of the Urological Department of the St. Vincent de Paul in Gdynia, Prof. Krzysztof Bielawski, UG Vice-Rector for Development and Dr Karol Śledzik, Director of UG Technology Transfer Office.

About the Incubator of Innovation+ project
The Technology Transfer Office of the University of Gdańsk is implementing the Incubator of Innovation+ project, which aims to support pre-implementation work and strengthen the cooperation of the scientific community with business representatives.The project is realised by the Consortium composed of: the University of Gdańsk, the Gdansk Technical University, the Gdansk Medical University and the special purpose vehicle of the Gdansk Technical University – Excento Ltd Within the scope of the Incubator of Innovation+ project, the UG Technology Transfer Office announced an internal contest for co-financing tasks in the field of commercialization of research and development results. The decision to grant funds for specific projects is made by the Investment Committee, the majority of which are representatives of business circles and investment funds.