My Note: Readers of this blog, know that I have posted a number of blog posts about Verisante, and it's use of multi-spectral scanning in cancer detection. I learned about Verisante because it was originally named T-Ray Science, and was developing & using a continuous wave terahertz system developed at MIT, (and which had been further developed by Toptica), for use in cancer detection. In 2011, the company took a new path and entered into a licensing agreement with the BC Cancer Agency to develop it's current product line which does not use Terahertz. T-Ray Science had previously entered into a sub-licensing agreement with Teraview to continue development of the CW THz, cancer detection system.
In the United States use of raman spectroscopy in cancer detection, has been developed by a company I have not previously mentioned, Mela Sciences, Inc. Mela uses this scanning technology for use in skin cancer detection using their proprietary system known as MelaFind.
Currently, the Verisante Aura system is approved for sale in Canada and a number of European Countries. the MelaFind system has been approved by the FDA, and is now being distributed in the US, and Germany.
I found this interesting article published by Forbes Magazine, which contained some very interesting commentary comparing Mela to Verisante. As always if you have any information to share about either of these companies, please post your comments.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/luisakroll/2012/10/19/a-billionaire-wifes-very-personal-and-passionate-war-against-melanoma/
MelaFind, on the other hand, only detects melanoma, without any detection capabilities for basal cell carcinoma or sqeumous cell carcinoma.
A MelaFind result is only one element of the overall clinical assessment of clinically atypical lesions. Lesions that are “non-evaluable” by MelaFind need to be carefully re-evaluated for biopsy.
MelaFind is indicated only for use on lesions with a diameter between 2 mm and 22 mm, limiting its use. MelaFind cannot be used on non-pigmented or skin-colored lesions, lesions that do not contain a scar or fibrosis consistent with previous trauma, lesions where the skin is intact (i.e., non-ulcerated or non-bleeding lesions), lesions greater than 1 cm away from the eye, lesions which do not contain foreign matter, and lesions on special anatomic sites, namely acral, palmar, plantar, mucosal, or subungual areas.
It will be very interesting to see which company – Verisante or Mela Sciences – can dominate the early skin cancer detection market
Verisante hasn’t even begun the long journey to FDA approval so won’t be available in the US till around 2015. Meanwhile, MELA will have ~275 units in dermatologists practices in the US and Germany by March 31/2013.
In time, mods will allow Melafind to detect basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas and also the ability to gauge the depth of lesions with the addition of the Melameter.
Mela Sciences will likely have thousands of Melafind system placements before Verisante even obtains FDA approval. Even in Germany, where both companies are able to market their devices, Mela has taken a huge lead as Verisante has yet to sell a single unit.
Just my thoughts.