Key facts
- Phase Scientific is developing a urine-based HPV test for easier cervical cancer screening.
- WomenX Biotech launched the 'PadX' period pad to detect HPV from menstrual blood.
- PadX demonstrated 99.2% accuracy in tests on 119 female participants.
- HPV is linked to approximately 95% of cervical cancers.
- The PadX kit is priced at HK$588 (approximately $75 USD).
- Pangenia laboratory will process PadX samples and provide results within three business days.
Hong Kong biotech firms are advancing non-invasive methods for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) detection, aiming to simplify cervical cancer screening. Phase Scientific, founded by Ricky Chiu Yin-to, is developing a urine-based HPV test utilizing sample-concentration technology. The company previously gained recognition during the Covid-19 pandemic for its rapid antigen test, Indicaid.
Meanwhile, WomenX Biotech has introduced 'PadX,' a novel period pad designed to detect HPV directly from menstrual blood. According to the company, the product demonstrated an accuracy of 99.2% in tests involving 119 female participants. Dr. Pui Wah Choi, founder of WomenX Biotech, stated that the innovation aims to empower women with accessible, accurate, and discreet health monitoring options, potentially paving the way for other detection-based sanitary products.
The World Health Organization highlights that HPV is a prevalent virus linked to approximately 95% of cervical cancers, underscoring the importance of early detection through regular screening. Traditional screening methods like Pap tests can be invasive and may cause embarrassment or fear for some women, leading to lower uptake rates. WomenX Biotech's PadX offers an at-home alternative, priced at HK$588 (about $75 USD), compared to an average of $120 for similar tests elsewhere. The company has partnered with Pangenia, a private medical testing laboratory, to process the pads and deliver digital results within three business days.
This development aligns with global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, as targeted by the WHO. Other innovators are also exploring comfortable self-screening options, including the Q-Pad in the US, Daye's tampon-based test in the UK, and the Papcup innovation.