The burden of biopsy.
New prostate cancer cases per year
~50%
of biopsies find no cancer or a non-aggressive cancer
$880myearly cost of major complications such as sepsis and bleeding in the US
10%of patients refuse biopsy
Sources: Statista 2020; Robinson 2023, JAMA; Rosario 2012, BMJ; Stadlbauer 2011, RöFo; Loeb 2013, Eur Urol.
The Fractalyser view.
sensitivity 95% | specificity 88%
for clinically significant cancer
MRI with Fractalyser
Michallek F, Dewey M et al. European Radiology, 2022. The method is patented in the US and Europe. Fractalyser is a research method and our clinical prototype is in development; it is not yet a certified medical device.
For hospitals.
In clinical care, Fractalyser is designed to support two decisions: who needs a biopsy after a suspicious MRI, and whether a cancer under surveillance is changing. We are looking for clinical partner sites to validate it on their own patients.
50%fewer patients undergoing biopsy is the reduction we are aiming for
Fastertreatment for patients with aggressive cancer through better prioritisation
Repeatbiopsies are common today for men on active surveillance, to check whether the cancer has changed
Measuredchange on each follow-up MRI is our aim, so that a biopsy is only needed when the cancer appears to progress
How it works
- Routine MRIThe patient has a standard prostate MRI, with no additional scan.
- Fractal analysisOur patented method measures each lesion identified by the radiologist.
- ReportThe fractal dimension per lesion supports the decision on biopsy or surveillance.
For pharma.
Every cancer trial images its patients. Fractalyser turns these images into a measure of tumour aggressiveness for each lesion and timepoint, which can show early whether a tumour responds to treatment.
- Phase 1Early signal of tumour response to a new compound
- Phase 2Selection or stratification of patients by tumour aggressiveness
- Phase 3Exploratory endpoint and subgroup analysis
How it works
- Secure uploadTrial scans are uploaded to a secure cloud environment.
- Fractal analysisOur patented method measures each lesion.
- Readout reportResults per lesion and imaging timepoint.
We can also start with images from a completed trial, so you see the results on your own data first.
Our progress.
- 2011Method development begins
- 2022Research prototype and published evidence
- PatentsGranted in the US and Europe
- TodayClinical prototype in development
- NextClinical validation with partner sites
The team.
Marc Dewey
Florian Michallek
Tim Kilgus