INEX Innovate, Singapore’s pioneering Women’s Life Science Health Innovations group, has launched epiHERA® the company’s early endometrial cancer detection technology. epiHERA® unveiling at the 2023 Singapore International Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SICOG), held from August 25th to 27th.

With 1 in 10 women suffering from abnormal bleeding during their lifetime and requiring an invasive specialist biopsy procedure to rule out endometrial cancer. By using the widely accepted PAP smear or HPV sampling procedure instead, epiHERA® holds great potential as an adjunct tool to help clinicians right at the clinic.

Made in Singapore in collaboration with JH CisPoly, INEX Innovate's epiHERA® technology addresses a crucial gap in current diagnostics by promoting equitable access to testing for vulnerable women. The novel methodology optimizes sample acquisition, significantly decreasing turnaround time from weeks to days. The scalability of molecular PCR testing assures broad accessibility, further amplifying the impact of epiHERA® within the domain of women's health. In validation studies being undertaken with the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) epiHERA® has shown promising results.

At the core of epiHERA® lies an advanced PCR test designed to identify epigenetic alterations in genes linked to the presence of endometrial cancer. The process begins with a straightforward cervical swab, akin to the sample collection approach used in cervical cancer screening. Following this, genomic DNA extraction takes place, succeeded by bisulfite conversion. The test culminates in real-time PCR analysis targeting hypermethylated CDO1 and CELF4 genes. This streamlined process concludes within approximately six hours.

CEO of INEX Innovate – Kane Black said “The launch of epiHERA® represents a paradigm shift in endometrial cancer detection while underscoring INEX Innovate's dedication, timely interventions ensuring improved patient outcomes. epiHERA® is the latest test launched by our team as we continue our path to being Asia’s pre-eminent women’s life science platform, and has received significant interest from clinicians and lab operators in the region. The launch comes at an exciting time of growth for the company on the back of recent acquisitions in the area as we expand both technology pipelines and geographically across the region.”

INEX Innovate's epiHERA® technology is set to redefine the landscape of women's health, and the company remains committed to empowering women and healthcare professionals with tools that transcend boundaries. epiHERA® is now accessible to researchers for validation within their own population cohorts, facilitating diverse applications and a comprehensive understanding of its effectiveness. 

INEX is uniquely positioned to identify and address clinically unmet needs within the fetal health and women’s oncology landscape, with a broad commercial portfolio of validated tests and 49 key patents. Through wholly owned subsidiary iGene Laboratory Pte Ltd, INEX operates a state of the art Next Generation Sequencing Laboratory that provides diagnostic testing, clinical research (CRO) and infectious testing services.