AiPBAND · Project

Blood-Based Brain Cancer Detection Using Biosensors and Machine Learning

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Imagine catching brain cancer early with just a blood test instead of expensive brain scans. This project trained 14 researchers to build tiny sensors that can detect traces of brain tumours floating in your blood. They developed three different types of biosensors — think of them as ultra-sensitive detectors — combined with cloud computing and machine learning to read the results. The goal was to spot gliomas, which kill more people than any other primary brain tumour in Europe, much earlier than current methods allow.

By the numbers

25,000

People affected by gliomas per year in Europe

Early-stage researchers trained in brain cancer diagnostics

Types of multiplex biosensors developed (plasmonic, graphene, digital ELISA)

Partners in the consortium

Countries represented in consortium

Industry partners in consortium

SMEs in consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Brain tumours like gliomas are typically detected too late because current diagnosis relies on expensive imaging (MRI, CT scans) and invasive biopsies. Around 25,000 Europeans are diagnosed with gliomas each year, and late detection dramatically reduces survival rates. There is no widely available, affordable blood test that can screen for brain cancer early, creating a gap in the diagnostic market.

The solution

What was built

The project developed three types of multiplex biosensors (plasmonic-based, graphene-based, and digital ELISA) to detect glioma biomarkers in blood, along with a cloud-based diagnostic system and big data infrastructure for intelligent data management. Proof-of-concept was evaluated through clinical trials assessing accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

Audience

Who needs this

IVD (in vitro diagnostics) companies developing liquid biopsy productsMedical device manufacturers looking to enter oncology screeningHealth IT companies building AI-powered clinical decision support toolsBiotech startups working on blood-based cancer biomarker assaysHospital networks and cancer centres seeking early detection tools

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical diagnostics

enterprise

Target: Diagnostic device manufacturers and IVD companies

If you are a diagnostic device company looking to expand into oncology screening — this project developed three types of multiplex biosensors (plasmonic-based, graphene-based, and digital ELISA) for detecting glioma biomarkers in blood. With gliomas affecting around 25,000 people per year in Europe, there is a significant unmet need for non-invasive early detection tools that could be integrated into your product pipeline.

Digital health and cloud services

mid-size

Target: Health IT companies building clinical decision support platforms

If you are a health IT company building diagnostic platforms — this project developed a big data-empowered intelligent data management infrastructure and cloud-based diagnostic systems for brain cancer biomarker analysis. The machine learning models trained on clinical biomarker data could be integrated into existing hospital information systems to support oncologists in early glioma detection.

Biotechnology

SME

Target: Biotech firms developing liquid biopsy assays

If you are a biotech company working on liquid biopsy products — this project identified blood biomarkers specific to gliomas and validated them through clinical trials across a consortium of 20 partners in 7 countries. The biomarker discovery work and validation data from patients with gliomas could accelerate your own assay development for brain cancer screening.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or access this diagnostic technology?

The project was an MSCA-ITN training network, so commercial licensing terms are not publicly defined. IP generated by the 14 fellows is likely held by their host institutions across 7 countries. You would need to negotiate directly with University of Plymouth or the relevant beneficiary that developed the specific biosensor or biomarker of interest.

Can these biosensors work at industrial scale for mass screening?

The project developed proof-of-concept biosensors evaluated through clinical trials, but these were research-grade prototypes, not production-ready devices. Scaling to mass manufacturing would require significant engineering, regulatory clearance (CE-IVD or UKCA marking), and production partnerships. The 6 industry partners in the consortium may offer pathways to scale-up.

Who owns the intellectual property from this project?

IP from MSCA-ITN projects typically belongs to the institution where the research was conducted. With 9 academic and 3 non-academic beneficiaries plus 6 partner organizations, IP is likely distributed across multiple entities. Contact the coordinator at University of Plymouth for guidance on specific technologies.

What regulatory approvals would be needed to bring this to market?

Any diagnostic device based on this technology would need CE-IVD certification in Europe and equivalent clearance in other markets. The project conducted proof-of-concept clinical trials to assess accuracy, sensitivity and specificity, which provides early-stage clinical evidence but is not sufficient for regulatory approval on its own.

How long before this could become a commercial product?

The project ran from 2018 to 2022 and focused primarily on training researchers and developing proof-of-concept technology. Based on available project data, the biosensors reached prototype stage with clinical evaluation. Commercialization would likely require several more years of development, validation studies, and regulatory processes.

Can this technology integrate with existing hospital lab equipment?

The project developed cloud-based diagnostic systems and data management infrastructure designed to process biosensor results. Based on available project data, integration with existing lab information systems was considered but specific compatibility details are not documented in the public deliverables.

Consortium

Who built it

The AiPBAND consortium brings together 20 partners across 7 countries (Belgium, China, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, UK), with a 30% industry ratio — notable for a training network. The 6 industry partners and 4 SMEs signal genuine commercial interest in brain cancer diagnostics. The mix of 11 universities and 1 research organization provides strong scientific foundations, while the private sector involvement (4 partner organizations from industry) suggests pathways from research to product development. The coordinator, University of Plymouth in the UK, led the network with expertise spanning neuroscience, engineering, and big data science.

UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTHCoordinator · UK
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIAparticipant · IT
IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINEparticipant · UK
STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEITparticipant · NL
TEESSIDE UNIVERSITYparticipant · UK
ENGAGE - KEY TECHNOLOGY VENTURES AGpartner · DE
THE HYVE BVparticipant · NL
Biotecturepartner · NL
PRINSES MAXIMA CENTRUM VOOR KINDERONCOLOGIE BVparticipant · NL
SCRIBA NANOTECNOLOGIE SRLparticipant · IT
KAROLINSKA INSTITUTETparticipant · SE
HUNAN UNIVERSITYpartner · CN
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDONparticipant · UK
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVENparticipant · BE
B. BRAUN MELSUNGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTpartner · DE
STOCKHOLMS UNIVERSITETparticipant · SE
ISTITUTI FISIOTERAPICI OSPITALIERIparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

University of Plymouth, UK — reach out to the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics or the project PI through the university's research portal.

Order a report on this consortium See UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing biosensor IP or biomarker data from AiPBAND? SciTransfer can identify the right contact and facilitate an introduction to the relevant research team.

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