Bowel cancer, or colorectal cancer, is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, with nearly 60% of cases in Wales diagnosed at a late stage, leading to higher mortality rates. CanSense was founded in 2018 out of a commitment to address this urgent issue by developing a pioneering, accessible diagnostic solution. Today, CanSense is a team of 13 led by co-founder, Dr Adam Bryant. The business brings together award-winning scientists, clinicians and business experts to make early cancer detection affordable and scalable.
CanSense has achieved impressive milestones, from winning the NIHR award and securing seed funding in 2022 to gaining recognition with the Innovate Award, CCR Endoscopy Challenge Award and a St. David’s Award in 2023. CanSense is now set to expand across the UK, Europe and the US, building on an ISO 15189-accredited lab partnership and its own ISO 13485 accreditation.
The firm has also secured a place in the Welsh Government’s SMART Flexible Innovation Support Programme, which helps businesses innovate and create new products and services.
Backed by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (BWAGP), CanSense is well-positioned to expand its impact on early cancer detection. Here, Dr Adam Bryant, CEO of CanSense, shares the journey behind the company, the challenges they've overcome, and how BWAGP has played an essential role in advancing its mission to save lives through innovative diagnostic solutions.
Tell us about CanSense.
CanSense was founded to address a critical need: earlier detection of bowel cancer to improve patient outcomes. Our journey began with years of research led by Professors Dean Harris and Peter Dunstan at Swansea University, exploring new ways to diagnose bowel cancer before it reaches advanced stages. In 2018, we formalised this work into a business driven by our vision of providing a cost-effective, reliable diagnostic tool that can be easily scaled and deployed.
Our diagnostic test combines cutting-edge technology with a patient-centred approach, making it affordable and accessible. Using the power of laser technology and AI, our simple, non-invasive blood test helps find early signs of bowel cancer. This new technology is a significant change because it can detect cancer and pre-cancerous growths from just one blood sample.
Our test doesn’t need any special chemicals or complex steps to prepare the blood sample, and it avoids the need for invasive procedures like colonoscopies, making it easier and more comfortable for patients.
We’ve built a team of highly skilled scientists, clinicians, and business leaders who share a deep commitment to saving lives. From laboratory innovation to the business development that drives our mission forward, CanSense exists to make a tangible difference in early cancer detection. We are poised to make a lasting impact in the fight against cancer, showing that Welsh innovation has a place on the world stage.
How has the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (BWAGP) supported CanSense’s growth and development?
BWAGP has been a game-changer for CanSense, guiding us through critical stages of growth. The programme’s support allowed us to establish a solid financial framework early on, with the assistance of experienced accountants and advisors who helped us create a sustainable financial plan. Beyond that, BWAGP support played a significant role in defining our core mission and team values, which have become the foundation of our culture.
BWAGP’s support extended to HR, compliance and policy development, allowing us to build a solid operational backbone. Their marketing support was also invaluable, helping us communicate our story effectively and raise awareness of CanSense as a Welsh innovation with global impact. More recently, we benefited from BWAGP’s guidance on equality and diversity training, which has fostered an inclusive culture within our team.
What challenges has CanSense faced, and how have they shaped the company?
Like any innovative company in the MedTech sector, we faced several challenges, from securing funding to navigating regulatory requirements. Developing a novel diagnostic device from scratch required resilience and a clear vision. We also had to build awareness around early cancer detection—a challenge given the general lack of knowledge about its impact on survival rates.
Our partnership with BWAGP allowed us to tackle these hurdles effectively. Their financial and strategic guidance enabled us to navigate regulatory requirements confidently and helped us build a robust roadmap for expansion. Each challenge strengthened our focus and reinforced our commitment to making early cancer detection accessible worldwide.
Looking back, what would you do differently if you could start again?
If we could go back, we’d still begin by just starting. Getting moving is crucial, even if everything isn’t perfectly in place. That said, we’ve learned the importance of thorough research and understanding the competitive landscape before making big decisions. Listening to various perspectives - especially those that may challenge our assumptions - has proven invaluable.
What has been your proudest moment with CanSense?
Our proudest moments come from seeing CanSense being recognised on the world stage for early cancer detection. Building a team that shares our commitment to tackling such a critical health issue has been incredibly rewarding. Each award, from the NIHR award to the St. David’s Award, is a testament to our team’s dedication, but our greatest pride comes from knowing that our work has the potential to save lives.
That’s what drives us in our work every day.
How has being a Welsh-based company influenced CanSense’s identity?
Our Welsh heritage is a vital part of our identity. We’re proud to be developing a solution in Wales to address a global health issue. This sense of identity and pride in being “Made in Wales” has shaped our approach, connecting us with local communities and underpinning our mission-driven culture. Our Welsh roots also help us stand out internationally, demonstrating that world-class innovation can come from anywhere, even a small but proud country like Wales.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
- Define your core values and live by them. Values guide every decision, hire and interaction.
- Hire for attitude and commitment. Skills can be learned, but shared values are essential.
- Take action and keep moving. Waiting for the “perfect” moment can delay valuable learning.
- Choose the right investors. Supportive and aligned investors can be transformative.
- Build a robust network. Success in MedTech takes collaboration and support from an extensive network.
Click here to learn more about CanSense.
Click here for further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme.