sona, from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), aims to revolutionise breast cancer screening for women by using breakthrough novel ultrasound technology to accurately measure and monitor breast density, and in the process improve early detection rates and assess how at risk individual women might be from developing the disease.

Approximately 70 percent of breast cancers are detected in women with dense breasts, however, most women do not know their breast density. Nearly half of women have high breast density and high breast density both increases breast cancer risk (by up to a factor of six) and causes cancers to be missed on screening mammograms.

Unfortunately, one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes and it is increasingly the most common cancer among women ages 15 to 39. With sona’s patented technology, women can proactively monitor their breast health before they are old enough to access a mammogram. Unlike traditional X-Ray-based methods, which pose risks due to radiation exposure, sona’s approach uses innovative ultrasound sensor technology to provide safer, more sensitive breast density assessments for women of all ages without the need for imaging or radiologists.

The compact desktop device created by sona does not require specially trained imaging technicians or radiologists to use and is designed for used in medical practices, local health clinics and other primary care sites. It enables healthcare providers to provide timely personalised screening through simple, safe and low-cost access to breast density information, which is currently limited by a woman’s age and use of traditional mammograms. 

Commenting on the news, Daniel Sarno, NPL senior scientist and sona Chief Technology Officer, said, “Our mission at sona is to provide women with an earlier, safer, and more accessible way to monitor their breast health. We want to bring our groundbreaking ultrasound-based technology to clinics and communities and ensure that breast density detection is no longer limited by age or access to traditional mammograms. 

Sarno explained, “By expanding early breast cancer risk assessment capabilities across socioeconomic boundaries, sona’s approach contributes to the UK’s objectives of reducing health inequalities by making healthcare more accessible to all women, regardless of background or location. We believe our innovative technology will create a new standard for women to take control of their breast health in a way that’s never been possible before.”

National healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly using breast density information to provide better screening services. In September, the FDA in the USA became the first regulator globally to mandate breast density reporting for screening. The European Society of Breast Imaging is now recommending informing women of their breast density.

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said, “sona’s ultrasound-based approach to breast cancer screening could help boost early detection and make advanced diagnostic tools more accessible to women everywhere. By supporting the early development of transformative technologies, this government is not only driving progress in healthcare and building efficiencies that benefit the NHS, but also driving growth. This is a good example of how innovation arising from public sector research can lead to new approaches.”

To finance its plans, sona has secured seed funding, which it will use to build out its team and develop its go-to-market strategy in preparation for a 2025 spinout from NPL. sona has also secured grant funding from the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT), which it will use for further product development.

Sakura Holloway, lead for the Knowledge Assets Portfolio at UKI2S, managed by Future Planet Capital, added, “The UKI2S investment in sona represents a pioneering step for early-stage transformational technologies aimed at redefining breast cancer screening. At UKI2S, we recognise the immense potential of supporting groundbreaking innovations from their inception, as these early investments can catalyse significant advancements in public health.

“sona’s ultrasound technology exemplifies how we can harness public sector knowledge, in partnership with GOTT, to bridge critical gaps in screening accessibility. Technologies like Sona set the stage for a healthcare future that’s both efficient and equitable, addressing critical needs from the outset. They enable healthcare systems like the NHS to improve patient outcomes and achieve long-term healthcare efficiencies through early identification of at-risk individuals. The sona device’s capabilities align with NHS objectives by promoting streamlined healthcare delivery for breast cancer risk assessment.

“Early cancer detection is key to saving lives, and sona’s unique innovation will ensure women are offered the right forms of screening at the right time.”

sona is working towards clinical demonstrations in 2025/26. The current leadership team, headed by former GSK and Haleon HealthTech executive Malcolm Fogarty as CEO, and NPL senior scientist Daniel Sarno as CTO, is already in early-stage discussions with key partners in the US, UK and European healthcare sectors.

Watch a two-minute explanatory video about how sona uses patented ultrasound technology to measure breast density and generate personalised breast health reports here.

To learn more about sona, visit https://www.npl.co.uk/sona