Lumeniris (previously Capsule Photonics)

Each year, over half a million people are diagnosed with esophageal cancer and 75% die within 5 years after their diagnosis. People generally do not experience symptoms until the cancer has reached advanced stages, when the cancer is difficult to treat and often lethal. Screening is offered to people with a disease called Barrett’s esophagus - a key risk factor for esophageal cancer. The problem with the current screening procedure is that it misses 25% of early cancer and places a considerable burden on the healthcare system, because it is time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Capsule Photonics developed LightUp: a pill-sized camera that detects more than 95% of early cancer by combining molecular imaging (Targeted Fluorescence) with high-resolution structural imaging (OCT). The patient drinks a fluorescent tracer, swallows LightUp without sedation and a nurse gently pulls it up by a string while it images the esophagus. LightUp reduces the procedure time to 1/3, requires only a single nurse instead of one clinician and two nurses and eliminates the need for pathology and (1-hour recovery of) sedation. LightUp thus improves patient outcomes while reducing the healthcare burden.

Clinical trials with Targeted Fluorescence and OCT performed through an endoscope have proven that these technologies detect 95% of early cancer. Our patented innovation lies in miniaturizing these technologies in a pill-sized camera. We have a working prototype and have proven that our images are comparable to the aforementioned studies. With this prototype we are conducting an in vivo patient study to determine safety and feasibility (ends mid 2025). In the next phase (mid 2025-2026) we will design and develop our commercial product: obtain ISO-13485 certification, reach design freeze and perform verification & validation. In the subsequent phase (2027-2028) we will obtain regulatory approval: FDA 510(k) clearance and a CE mark, from which point we can start selling our device. We will also perform further clinical activities to support market adoption. From 2029 we will enter the scale-up phase where we focus on obtaining reimbursement, becoming part of clinical guidelines and upscaling sales and distribution. The market for Barrett’s surveillance involves an estimated 900,000 procedures a year in the EU and US, with reimbursements rates ranging from 900 to 2000 € per procedure.

Capsule Photonics combines the expertise of a pioneer in OCT (Prof. Johannes de Boer; professor Biophotonics at the VU; CSO) with a pioneer in Fluorescence Endoscopy (Prof. Wouter Nagengast MD; Professor of Molecular Imaging and Innovative Endoscopy, UMCG; Advisory Board) and their respective technical and clinical expertise. Anouk Post PhD is the CEO and has 10 years of experience in translational research as a physicist in hospitals. She is part of the Entrepreneurship program ‘Faculty of Impact’. Ties van Rappard, a business developer at the VU, is on the Advisory Board.