AURORAX · Project

Blood Test That Catches Cancer Coming Back Before Scans Can

healthPilotedTRL 7

After kidney cancer surgery, patients need regular check-ups to catch the cancer if it returns. Right now, that means expensive imaging scans that expose you to radiation — so doctors can only do them a few times a year. Elypta built a simple blood or urine test that spots cancer's metabolic fingerprint, like detecting smoke before you see the fire. It's cheaper, safer, and can be done far more frequently than imaging, catching recurrences earlier when they're still treatable.

By the numbers

139,000

Annual Renal Cell Carcinoma patients

20%

RCC patients diagnosed with metastatic recurrence within 5 years after surgery

12%

5-year survival rate once RCC becomes metastatic

€200B

Estimated liquid biopsy market size

€2,342,671

EU funding received

The business problem

What needed solving

After kidney cancer surgery, 20% of patients face metastatic recurrence within 5 years — and once it spreads, only 12% survive the next five years. Current follow-up relies on expensive imaging scans with radiation risks, limiting how often patients can be monitored. Late detection of recurrences turns survivable situations into terminal ones.

The solution

What was built

Elypta built a metabolism-based liquid biopsy platform that detects cancer recurrences from blood or urine by analyzing metabolite signatures with algorithmic analysis. They launched a Research Use Only version of the platform and completed a first study subject approval package for their clinical validation trial (AUR87A).

Audience

Who needs this

Clinical diagnostic laboratories expanding oncology test menusPharma companies needing companion diagnostics or trial monitoring toolsHospital urology and oncology departments managing post-surgery follow-upHealth insurers looking to reduce imaging costs in cancer surveillanceBiotech companies seeking liquid biopsy partnerships or licensing deals

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Clinical diagnostics laboratories

mid-size

Target: Mid-to-large diagnostic lab networks offering oncology panels

If you are a clinical laboratory looking to expand your oncology test menu — this project developed a metabolism-based liquid biopsy platform that detects kidney cancer recurrences from blood or urine samples. It is designed for easy integration into existing lab workflows and generates revenue per test. With 139,000 new RCC patients annually needing ongoing surveillance, this adds a high-volume recurring test to your portfolio.

Pharmaceutical and biotech

enterprise

Target: Pharma companies running oncology clinical trials

If you are a pharmaceutical company developing cancer treatments and need better tools to monitor patient response — this project built a platform already validated for Research Use Only that tracks cancer metabolites over time. A pharmaceutical partner already signed a letter of support during the project. The platform is scalable beyond kidney cancer to other cancer types and treatment monitoring applications.

Health insurance and managed care

enterprise

Target: Health insurers covering oncology follow-up care

If you are a health insurer spending heavily on post-surgery cancer imaging — this project developed a low-cost blood-based alternative to CT and MRI surveillance for kidney cancer patients. Two independent companies assessed the platform's cost-effectiveness. More frequent monitoring at lower cost means earlier detection, which reduces late-stage treatment expenses that come when the 5-year survival rate drops to 12%.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does the test cost compared to imaging?

The project objective states the platform has a low cost and significantly improves on imaging approaches in cost and risk. Two independent companies assessed its cost-effectiveness. However, specific per-test pricing is not disclosed in the available project data.

Can this scale to high-volume testing across multiple labs?

Yes. The platform is designed for distribution through clinical laboratories, which would handle testing at scale. Elypta's objective explicitly states the platform is easily scalable to other cancer types and applications beyond kidney cancer. A Research Use Only version was launched during the project.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

Elypta AB, a Swedish SME, owns the technology. The business model focuses on selling through clinical laboratories that would benefit financially from test sales. Based on available project data, licensing terms are not publicly detailed — direct contact with Elypta would be needed.

What regulatory approvals does the test have?

The project planned to obtain regulatory clearance in both the EU and the US. During the project, a Research Use Only version was launched. Based on available project data, full diagnostic clearance status would need to be confirmed directly with Elypta.

How long before this could be used in a clinical setting?

The project ran from 2019 to 2022 and included a clinical validation trial (AUR87A) and a Research Use Only product launch. The timeline for full clinical deployment depends on regulatory clearance status, which the project was actively pursuing in both EU and US markets.

Does this work only for kidney cancer or other cancers too?

It starts with Renal Cell Carcinoma but the objective states the platform is easily scalable to other cancer indications and applications such as treatment monitoring, as demonstrated in multiple small trials. The underlying metabolite signature approach is not limited to one cancer type.

Who has already endorsed this technology?

Oncologists and urologists signed letters of support as intended users of the platform. A pharmaceutical partner also signed a letter of support expressing interest in Research Use Only applications. The project was funded through the EIC SME Instrument with EUR 2,342,671.

Consortium

Who built it

AURORAX is a single-company project: Elypta AB, a Swedish SME that received the full EUR 2,342,671 through the EIC SME Instrument (Phase 2). With 100% industry composition and no university or research partners in the consortium, this is a commercially driven venture where the company itself owns the technology and is pushing it toward market. The SME Instrument funding signals that European innovation evaluators saw strong commercial potential. The absence of academic partners is typical for this funding scheme, which targets companies ready to scale proven technology rather than conduct basic research.

How to reach the team

Elypta AB is a Swedish diagnostics company. Their team can be reached through elypta.com.

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to Elypta's team to discuss diagnostic partnerships, lab integration, or licensing? SciTransfer can arrange a direct connection.

Order a report on this topic More in Health & Biomedical