Haili Wang and David Chang, CEO of Metabolomics Technologies Inc., are improving cancer detection and prevention with the commercialization of a metabolomic urine test for colorectal cancer.
The science Wang pursued a decade ago as a U of A graduate student set the stage for an innovative diagnostic test, an award-winning spinoff company and a multimillion-dollar business deal.
Metabolomics Technologies Inc. (MTI)―founded by Wang and Richard Fedorak (now dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry)―developed a product called PolypDX, a non-invasive, easy-to-collect urine test, to more accurately detect precancerous polyps.
With the help of TEC Edmonton, MTI signed a licensing agreement in 2016 with Atlantic Diagnostic Laboratories. Recognized in 2017 by the ASTech foundation with the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology Award, the team is now examining whether they can develop similar tests for the early detection of prostate and breast cancer.
"Our work is ultimately coming to real use in the world. It's not just an experiment anymore," said Wang.