Early detection for all

4 minute read

• Sona, from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), will revolutionise breast cancer screening with world’s first innovative ultrasound-based breast density assessment and monitoring technology, that does not require imaging or trained radiologists.
   
• The patented Sona solution enables healthcare systems to provide timely personalised screening through simple, safe and low-cost access to breast density information, which is currently limited by age and use of traditional mammograms.

UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), managed by Future Planet Capital and in partnership with the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT), a part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, has announced pre-incorporation investment into Sona, from the world-leading NPL, which is developing a patented pioneering pre-imaging solution for breast density assessment.
This investment supports Sona’s mission to transform breast cancer screening, creating a new standard for breast density assessment and monitoring and offering safer and more accessible breast density information for women of all ages. With a £250K grant funding from GOTT supporting Sona’s product development, UKI2S’s investment of £200K will be used to build the team and business plan in preparation for the 2025 spinout, and engage customers to test and adopt the miniaturised desktop version of Sona's technology.

Approximately 70% of breast cancers are detected in women with dense breasts, however, most women do not know their breast density. Nearly half of women have high breast density and high breast density both increases breast cancer risk (by up to a factor of 6) and causes cancers to be missed on screening mammograms. National healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly using breast density information to provide better screening services. In September, the FDA became the first regulator to mandate breast density reporting for screening and the European Society of Breast Imaging is now recommending informing women of their breast density.

With its compact form, Sona’s simple, low-cost device is positioned for deployment in medical practices, local health clinics and primary care sites, expanding early breast cancer risk assessment capabilities across socioeconomic boundaries. This approach contributes to the UK’s objectives of reducing health inequalities by making healthcare more accessible to all women, regardless of background or location.

Daniel Sarno, Chief Technology Officer at Sona, commented: “We are thrilled to have the support of UKI2S and the Government Office for Technology Transfer. Our mission at Sona is to provide women with a safer, earlier, and more accessible way to monitor their breast health. With this investment, we are taking a significant step towards bringing our groundbreaking ultrasound-based technology to clinics and communities, ensuring that breast density detection is no longer limited by age or access to traditional mammograms. We believe this innovation will create a new standard for women to take control of their breast health in a way that’s never been possible before.”

Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:“Sona’s ultrasound-based approach to breast cancer screening could help boost early detection and make advanced diagnostic tools more accessible to women everywhere.
“By supporting the early development of transformative technologies, this government is not only driving progress in healthcare and building efficiencies that benefit the NHS, but also driving growth. This is a good example of how innovation arising from public sector research can lead to new approaches.”

Sakura Holloway, Lead for the Knowledge Assets Portfolio at UKI2S, managed by Future Planet Capital, added: “This is an iconic first investment in early-stage deep tech breast screening.

“The UKI2S investment in Sona represents a pioneering step for early-stage, transformational technologies aimed at redefining breast cancer screening. At UKI2S, we recognise the immense potential of supporting groundbreaking innovations from their inception, as these early investments can catalyse significant advancements in public health.

“Sona’s ultrasound technology exemplifies how we can harness public sector knowledge, in partnership with GOTT, to bridge critical gaps in screening accessibility. By enabling safer, earlier breast density assessments, we’re not only offering women a proactive approach to their health but also empowering the NHS with a scalable solution that could reshape diagnostic pathways and reduce healthcare burdens. With technologies like Sona’s, we’re setting the stage for a healthcare future that’s both efficient and equitable, addressing critical needs from the outset."

By adopting revolutionary technologies like Sona’s, healthcare systems like the NHS will be able to enhance patient outcomes and achieve long-term healthcare efficiencies through early identification of at-risk individuals. The Sona device’s capabilities align with NHS objectives by promoting streamlined healthcare delivery for breast cancer risk assessment.

Sona’s device allows women to proactively monitor their breast health before they are old enough to access a mammogram. The simple low-cost desktop device, easily deployed in local GP clinics and primary care sites, delivers quick, reliable breast density readings. Early cancer detection is key to saving lives, and Sona’s unique innovation will ensure women are offered the right forms of screening at the right time.

Unlike traditional methods that rely on X-rays, which pose risks due to radiation exposure, Sona’s solution leverages novel ultrasound sensor technology to provide safer, more sensitive breast density assessments without the need for imaging or trained radiologists.

Sona is working towards clinical demonstrations in 2025/26. The current leadership team, headed by former GSK and Haleo HealthTech executive Malcolm Fogarty CEO and NPL senior scientist Daniel Sarno CTO, is already in early-stage discussions with key partners in the US consumer health sector.

Dr Alison Campbell, CEO of the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT), said: “By supporting innovative spinouts like Sona, we aim to harness the incredible potential of public sector knowledge and transform it into tangible, real-world solutions. Sona’s breakthrough in breast density assessment technology is a prime example of how investment in public sector research can lead to life-changing advancements in the UK and beyond. We look forward to seeing this technology achieve commercial success and the economic growth that comes with that”.

Dr Peter Thompson, CEO from NPL added, “At the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), we are dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovation, and Sona’s ultrasound technology exemplifies this commitment.”

By providing a more accessible option for breast density assessment, this breakthrough enables earlier and safer detection for women. We’re proud that our research has enabled the development of Sona’s pioneering technology, which has the potential to transform the breast cancer screening landscape.

Supporting early detection and improving diagnostic pathways, forms part of our commitment to use our science to positively impact people’s lives.”