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Thanks to the Covid pandemic and flu outbreaks, most of us are now well accustomed to testing ourselves at home for common ailments, but researchers at the University of Malaga have just developed a tool that will undoubtedly save even more lives: prostate cancer detection kits. And the best news is that they’ll soon be available to buy from almost 8,700 pharmacies across Spain.

 

The new early detection kit, called Testeavida, marks a major breakthrough in accessible cancer diagnostics. It uses a combination of molecular biotechnology and urinary biomarker analysis to detect genetic markers linked to prostate cancer, all without the need for invasive procedures.

 

Prostate cancer affected more than 35,000 men in Spain in 2020. Traditional screening methods, such as rectal exams and biopsies, are often uncomfortable and come with potential risks. Testeavida changes that.

It works by analysing a urine sample collected after a prostate massage to check for overexpression of the PCA3 gene using a PCR-based technique. In clinical trials, it showed an accuracy rate of more than 80% and reduced the need for unnecessary biopsies by around 40% in men with elevated PSA levels.

 

The project began in 2022 as part of a student initiative in the University of Malaga’s Master’s in Advanced Biotechnology programme. It won first prize in the university’s Flash Session Hackathon and went on to receive clinical validation through a collaboration with the Malaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA).

 

The technology is now protected by an international patent.

 

In 2024, the team behind the innovation launched UMA-Diagnostics, a university spin-off that secured the necessary CE-IVD certification to allow the test to be used outside of hospital settings. The company is now preparing for commercial rollout, with plans to launch the test in Spanish pharmacies by the end of 2025.

 

The kit comes with a handheld digital reader that delivers results in just 15 minutes. It uses a simple traffic light system, green, amber or red, to indicate the user’s level of cancer risk.

 

Studies suggest that this new testing method could cut down on late-stage diagnoses by 18%, significantly improving survival rates when the cancer is caught early.

 

The project is being hailed as a prime example of how academic research can lead to real-world solutions.

 

With projected sales of €3 million over the next five years, UMA-Diagnostics also has its sights set on global markets, particularly in Latin America, where prostate cancer rates remain high.

 

 

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