Researchers at the University of Auckland have created a device capable of identifying cancerous prostate tissue without the need for invasive procedures. The team has developed a tool that provides a more accurate and less painful alternative to current biopsy techniques, under the leadership of Dr. Claude Aguergaray.
Prostate Cancer is A Growing Challenge in New Zealand
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in New Zealand and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. More than 4,000 cases are detected each year, with over 700 resulting in death.
Current diagnostic options—such as PSA tests, which have a 75% false-positive rate, digital rectal exams, and MRIs—are either invasive, stigmatised, or inconsistent. Biopsies, often requiring up to 12 tissue samples, are physically taxing and inefficient.
New Optical Probe Could Revolutionise Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
A new optical probe could revolutionise the landscape of prostate cancer diagnosis. The probe directs a low-intensity laser at prostate tissue and analyses the reflected light spectrum to identify the tissue’s molecular composition. The tool detects cancer-specific changes in proteins and lipids.
“We call it the molecular footprint because we really have access to the biochemical content of the tissue through this process,” explains Aguergaray.
The tool’s high accuracy could enable early treatment decisions, potentially even before biopsies are needed. Aguergaray adds that the optical probe could “at a conservative estimate” reduce the number of biopsies by half, sparing patients from invasive procedures and easing the strain on healthcare systems.
Aguergaray’s Journey: From Physics to Prostate Cancer Diagnostics
Aguergaray’s professional journey began with a PhD in laser physics from the University of Bordeaux. After postdoctoral work in New Zealand and clinical collaborations in France, he returned to New Zealand, securing $1 million in funding from the Endeavour Smart Idea fund in 2018, with a renewal in 2023.
Aguergaray’s team is currently based at the Dodd Walls Centre, uses photonics to drive improvements in healthcare outcomes. The global prostate cancer diagnostics market, valued at US$3.2 billion in 2020, is projected to grow to US$8.2 billion by 2028—providing a significant opportunity for New Zealand-led innovation.
Clinical Trials Underway with a Global Vision
Clinical trials are set to launch at Auckland’s Manukau Superclinic, supervised by urologist Kamran Zargar. These trials have already received Health and Disability Ethics Committee approval and are being designed to meet U.S. FDA standards.
“We want this trial to be FDA compliant …so that we don’t have to redo it later on,” Aguergaray said. The goal is clear: break into the U.S. health market. “This is where most healthcare companies will be looking at going, and so are we,” he added.
Commercialisation Through Probentis Ltd.
Aguergaray founded Probentis Ltd. in 2023 to commercialise the technology. The company is seeking US$4 million (NZ$6.6 million) in capital and is backed by Auckland UniServices.
The company is strategically targeting America’s payer-driven healthcare model, with a CEO and executive team already operating in the U.S.
“You don’t necessarily have to convince the clinicians and the hospitals, you have to convince the insurers and the federal government,” Aguergaray noted.
The said diagnostic tool for prostate cancer is being developed with a prototype cost of $40,000 to $50,000—already a more affordable alternative to MRI. “When we are at full-scale production, I can reduce this cost by half, by two-thirds, but that is really a guess,” Aguergaray admitted.
The technology, initially designed for prostate cancer, may also be adapted to detect other cancers, opening the door to wider applications in medical diagnostics. If successful, this New Zealand-led innovation could set a new standard for affordable, scalable diagnostics worldwide.