In the Spotlight: Self-Screen brings cervical cancer screening to a Lab-on-Chip

The company has built a strong multidisciplinary team in which each member brings essential expertise to accelerate the path from scientific discovery to practical testing. Self-Screen develops innovative assays capable of detecting cancer-associated DNA changes with high specificity and sensitivity. Crucially, these tests are designed to work with both clinician-collected and patient-collected samples — expanding their reach and lowering the threshold for early screening.

As a partner within NXTGEN Hightech Biomed's Biomed02 (Lab-on-Chip) programme, Self-Screen contributes a unique combination of diagnostic know-how and commercialisation potential, making it a valued addition to the consortium ecosystem.

Within the NXTGEN Biomed02 programme, Self-Screen is working on the development of a Lab-on-Chip DNA test for the detection of HPV-related abnormalities. The company is specifically focused on developing a simplified test. For detecting DNA hypermethylation. DNA Hypermethylation is an epigenetic change in the DNA. A methylgroup is added to CpG sites (Cytosine - Guanine connections) in the DNA. The presence of methyl groups in certain promoter regions of the DNA can block the tumor suppressing functionality of the DNA, enabling the progression to cervical cancer. A methylation test measures the level of hypermethylation in promotor regions in the DNA. Increased methylation levels correspond with disease grade and are therefore an effective marker for disease progression.

Self-Screen's intention is to contribute to the development of a proof-of-concept Lab-on-Chip test that, upon completion of the project, can be made available as a Research Use Only (RUO) product. This milestone would mark an important step towards broader clinical application and ultimately towards patient-facing diagnostics.

"We believe that cervical cancer can be fully eradicated and we are committed to develop assays that are accessible and affordable for a global population"

— Prof. Dr. Chris Meijer – CEO Self-screen

This work is made possible through close collaboration with key consortium partners. Micronit, the University of Twente, and Amsterdam UMC have all expressed strong support for the partnership with Self-Screen, recognising the company as a valuable contributor to the Biomed02 development roadmap. Together, they see a clear pathway to future commercialisation, with Self-Screen's assay expertise complementing the microfluidics and systems integration capabilities of its partners.

The DNA methylation approach being explored by Self-Screen is particularly relevant in the context of Lab-on-Chip technology, where miniaturisation and simplification of complex molecular assays is key. By focusing on markers that are both clinically relevant and analytically tractable, Self-Screen's work directly supports the Biomed02 goal of enabling point-of-care or near-patient diagnostics for early cancer detection.

"In the Netherlands the hard part is rarely the technology, it is turning it into something a patient can actually use. Within NXTGEN Biomed02 we bring photonics, microfluidics, biosensors and diagnostics companies around one table, so a promising lab-on-chip test becomes a validated diagnostic that can reach the patient, faster than any partner could manage alone."

— Wim van den Broek, Project Leader NXTGEN Biomed02

Looking Ahead

In the next phase of the NXTGEN Hightech Biomed programme, Self-Screen will continue developing and refining its Lab-on-Chip DNA test towards a functional proof-of-concept. The collaboration with Micronit, University of Twente, and Amsterdam UMC will be formalised through specific work agreements, ensuring that the combined expertise of the consortium is effectively directed towards a product that can eventually transition from research setting to clinical deployment.

Self-Screen's participation underlines the strength of the Biomed02 consortium: a mix of technology developers, academic partners, and application-focused companies working towards a shared goal. Their focus on accessible, accurate early cancer detection aligns directly with the societal ambition of NXTGEN Hightech Biomed — to deliver healthcare solutions that make a tangible difference for patients.