Breast cancer firm makes breakthrough

by Peter Kneller - Wednesday, 23rd April 2008

YFM Group and Swarraton Partners have led a £2m (€2.5m) investment in Micrima, which is developing radio wave technology to improve detection of breast cancer.

Existing investor the National Endowment of Science, Technology and the Arts also participated in the funding.

University of Bristol spin-out Micrima, led by executive chairman Roy Johnson (pictured), is developing a breast imaging system that captures high resolution, 3D images through the use of harmless radio waves.

Its MARIA (multistatic array processing for radiowave image acquisition) system can provide better images for the dense tissue associated with the under 50s age group, and is also relatively inexpensive and completely safe for the patient.

The product’s low cost and compact size allow for its practical use in numerous alternative locations such as GP surgeries, diagnostic centres and mobile screening units.

Funding will go toward ongoing technical development and further clinical trials at the Frenchay Hospital’s Breast Clinic in Bristol.

Tags: venture capital, micrima, breast imaging, breast cancer, roy johnson, raising finance, investment, university of bristol,