Lumeniris receives important funding for fast and patient‑friendly endoscopy
Esophageal cancer is often detected at a late stage, and sadly the current diagnostic procedures also have significant limitations. Because of new funding from Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland, VU-startup Lumeniris is further developing a swallowable camera that produces ultra‑sharp images of the esophagus, enabling better and more affordable diagnosis.
A pill‑sized camera
Lumeniris’ innovation is a pill‑sized camera attached to a thin tether. Patients can swallow the camera without sedation, after which a nurse gently pulls it back up using the tether. Within just a few minutes, the entire esophagus is captured on camera.
In comparison, a traditional endoscopy requires sedation and the involvement of one doctor and two nurses and still misses around 25% of cancer cases. This new, quick, and patient‑friendly procedure not only improves early detection, but also significantly reduces workload: it can be carried out by a single nurse.
Anouk Post, CEO and co‑founder of Lumeniris, explains:
“Our mission is to ensure that esophageal cancer is detected earlier and that more people survive this diagnosis — through a fast, simple and patient‑friendly procedure. With the support of Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland, we can turn a scientific breakthrough into a solution that truly makes a difference for patients.”
About Lumeniris
Lumeniris was founded by Prof. Johannes de Boer and Anouk Post as a start‑up from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The company is developing a capsule endoscope equipped with advanced imaging technologies for the early detection of esophageal cancer.
For more information, visit: www.lumeniris.com
