London, UK – April 2, 2025 – Vortex Biotech Holdings, a leader in oncology liquid biopsy, today announced a significant collaboration with the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) to spearhead clinical investigations into Vortex’s innovative technology. This partnership promises to provide an unprecedented view of Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs), potentially transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The collaborative study, led by Dr. Stuart Martin of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will involve 50 patients with progressive breast cancer. It will integrate Vortex’s expertise in automating CTC capture directly from whole blood with UMB’s pioneering “Tetherchip” research, which allows for the isolation of cells in a free-floating form. This combined approach aims to offer a comprehensive, high-resolution analysis of CTCs, crucial for understanding cancer biology and developing personalised therapies.

Vortex’s technology offers a less invasive, faster, and more comfortable experience for patients, without compromising accuracy. This collaboration also serves as a vital step for Vortex in stress-testing its technology in a world-class clinical setting, moving the company closer to commercialisation.

Professor Stuart Martin commented on the “paradigm shift” in cancer care, highlighting the essential role of CTC capture and enrichment in the era of personalised medicine. Paul Reeves, Vortex Managing Director, expressed honour in working with UMB to explore new approaches to cancer care, believing this unique perspective on CTCs will accelerate the development of a new generation of oncological therapies.

This partnership marks a significant stride in advancing liquid biopsy applications, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, and improving patient outcomes, while positioning Vortex for future growth in the oncology market.