Source BioScience receives NHS approval for automated cervical
cancer screening technology
27 July 2011
Source BioScience has announced that the NHS Cancer screening Programmes (NHSCSP) has approved
the use of the BD FocalPoint “No Further Review” technology for
cervical cancer screening in the UK. This is the only automated
cervical screening technology that has been approved.
The No Further Review technology can analyse and identify up to 25%
of screening samples that can be reported as “all clear”, requiring no
human examination. With over 3.6 million tests being undertaken across
England and Wales during 2009/10, this represents a significant
reduction in laboratory workload, eliminating the need to employ costly,
temporary locum staff.
NHSCSP, the governing body for cancer screening in the UK, informed
NHS laboratories of the decision to approve BD FocalPoint “No Further
Review” following recommendations from the Health Technology Assessment
“MAVARIC” trial, which was published in March 2011. The trial
demonstrated the clinical performance of the system compared with manual
screening and its compatibility with the planned introduction of HPV
testing into the UK cervical cancer screening programme during September
2011.
Dr Mina Desai CBE, Head of Cytopathology Services at Manchester
Royal Infirmary said, “As one of the lead investigators of the MAVARIC
study, I am pleased that the No Further Review category has been
approved. The clinical data from the study supports the decisions to
implement it within the screening programme and will assist the
laboratories in meeting the demands of the 14-day turnaround time.”
Dr Nick Ash, Chief Executive of Source BioScience commented, “We
believe BD FocalPoint is a huge step forward for cervical cancer
screening progression in the UK. No Further Review is a unique
function of the BD FocalPoint system and it is the only automated system
of its kind approved and available in the UK. Source BioScience will now
be able to provide a complete solution for cervical cancer screening
from sample collection, processing, imaging and diagnostic testing,
including HPV testing.”
Source: Source BioScience