University of Waterloo spin-off company CELLECT. is revolutionizing women’s health with a non-invasive disease screening method. This user-friendly alternative to Pap smears integrates nanotechnology with menstrual products to detect HPV and cervical cancer.
Founded in 2023 by CT Murphy (BASc '23, nanotechnology engineering & MASc in progress, chemical engineering), the company aims to empower women by making health care more inclusive and less intimidating.
Menstrual blood contains biomarkers which are important health indicators. Murphy's innovation involves embedding a specialized nanomaterial into tampons or pads. This material passively captures and preserves biomarkers from menstrual blood, enabling subsequent testing for HPV, cervical cancer and other DNA-based diseases, including sexually transmitted infections.
“Our goal is to make health care more inclusive and less intimidating,” Murphy said. “By integrating screening into a product that people are already familiar with, we’re removing a barrier to care, making it simpler and more accessible.”
CELLECT. is supported by Waterloo's Velocity incubator and funding programs.
Go to CELLECT. transforms cervical cancer diagnosis with nanotechnology for the full story.