Papcup

Papcup is developing a non-invasive alternative to cervical smear tests. Its device uses electrochemical biosensing to detect cancer-causing HPV strains in menstrual blood, so people can test at home or in a clinic without a speculum, with results in minutes and follow-up guidance through an app. The company emerged from the Imperial College London innovation community and the University of Edinburgh's Venture Builder Incubator, and is currently building a waitlist ahead of launch. It aims to raise screening rates among people who avoid smear tests because of discomfort, embarrassment or cultural barriers.