Since 2019, the Bank of Cyprus has significantly reduced its non-performing exposures (NPEs) by selling over €1 billion in real estate assets. This aggressive divestment strategy is part of the bank’s broader efforts to improve its balance sheet and financial stability. The sales, which include a mix of residential, commercial, and land assets, have enabled the bank to enhance its capital adequacy ratios and strengthen its position in the Cypriot banking sector.
This strategic move aligns with the bank’s long-term goal of focusing on core banking operations while mitigating risks associated with holding extensive real estate portfolios. By offloading these assets, the Bank of Cyprus has not only reduced its exposure to non-performing loans but also generated substantial liquidity, which can be redirected towards more profitable ventures.
The real estate market in Cyprus has shown resilience, supported by both domestic demand and foreign investment, particularly from European and Middle Eastern buyers. This favourable market environment has allowed the Bank of Cyprus to execute its sales at competitive prices, further bolstering its financial performance.
Looking ahead, the Bank of Cyprus is expected to continue this trajectory, leveraging the proceeds from these sales to strengthen its balance sheet further and explore new growth opportunities within its core banking activities. The success of this real estate disposal strategy underscores the bank’s commitment to maintaining a robust financial position and delivering value to its shareholders.
In conclusion, the €1 billion in real estate sales marks a significant milestone for the Bank of Cyprus, reflecting its strategic focus on financial health and risk management. This move not only enhances the bank’s stability but also positions it for future growth in a competitive and evolving banking landscape.
MammoCheck Secures A €500,000 SEED Grant From The RIF To Advance Toward FDA 510(k) Clearance And EU MDR CE Marking
The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus under the Cohesion Policy Programme THALIA 2021–2027. Frederick Research Center is participating as a partner organisation, continuing the company’s roots as a spin-out of Frederick University.
NICOSIA, CYPRUS, July 31, 2026. MammoCheck Ltd, a Cyprus-based medical technology company founded as a spin-out of Frederick University, has secured a €500,000 grant under the Research and Innovation Foundation’s (RIF) SEED programme.
The competitive grant will support the continued development of the company’s adjunctive, research-validated software platform, which combines thermal imaging with artificial intelligence to support breast cancer screening. More specifically, the funding will support the clinical, quality management and regulatory work required as the company advances toward FDA 510(k) clearance in the United States and CE marking under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745).
The RIF’s SEED programme supports innovative Cypriot start-ups developing internationally competitive products and services. It is co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus under the Cohesion Policy Programme THALIA 2021–2027.
For MammoCheck, the funding will support completion of its clinical programme, further development of its quality management system in line with ISO 13485, and preparation of the technical documentation and submissions required for the FDA and EU MDR regulatory pathways.
About MammoCheck
MammoCheck is developing a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) platform that combines a smartphone application, thermal imaging and a proprietary artificial intelligence algorithm to support breast cancer screening.
Founded in 2024 as a spin-out of Frederick University, the company aims to address unequal access to screening. Mammography coverage remains highly uneven worldwide and has been reported as low as 1.7% in some countries, including among many women under the age of 45 who fall outside most national screening programmes.
The platform is being developed for use in primary care and gynaecology settings, as well as for guided home use, with every result reviewed by a clinician. It is intended to complement, rather than replace, established imaging modalities such as mammography and ultrasound.
MammoCheck is currently conducting a clinical study across hospital sites in Cyprus, approved by the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee.
The Role Of Frederick University
Frederick University continues to support the initiative as the institution from which MammoCheck originated. The collaboration also continues through the participation of the Frederick Research Center as a partner organisation in the funded project.
The centre contributes specialised expertise and infrastructure through its Nursing Department and the Mobile Devices Laboratory, focusing on artificial intelligence, smart systems and scientific dissemination. The collaboration strengthens the connection between Cypriot academic research and internationally oriented innovation.
The Frederick team supporting the project includes Dr. Andreas Constantinides, Associate Professor and Director of the Mobile Devices Laboratory, Dr. Evanthia Asimakopoulou, Assistant Professor in the Nursing Department, and Dr. Elena Papoui, Visiting Lecturer in the Nursing Department.
What The Grant Means
The award adds to a period of continued momentum for the company. Alongside its clinical and regulatory progress, MammoCheck is conducting a private investment round to accelerate commercial deployment as it advances toward key regulatory milestones.
The company also holds a Certificate of Innovative Enterprise from the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, allowing eligible investors participating in the funding round to benefit from tax incentives under Cyprus’ innovation investment legislation.
Statements
“Securing €500,000 in competitive, non-dilutive funding is a strong vote of confidence in our vision, our team and our mission. It allows us to focus on what truly matters right now, turning that vision into reality, step by step, as we move steadily toward FDA 510(k) clearance and CE marking under the EU MDR,” said Alexandra Dimitriadou, Co-Founder and CEO of MammoCheck.
Athina Grigoriou, Co-Founder and CRO, added: “Our clinical programme is at the heart of this project. This support strengthens the study we are conducting across hospital sites in Cyprus and the evidence base behind every step of our regulatory pathway.”
Marios Pafitis, Co-Founder and CTO, said: “Working alongside the Frederick Research Center brings academic rigour to our engineering. This grant helps us take the technology from promising research toward a rigorously engineered and clinically validated product.”
The MammoCheck co-founding team, Alexandra Dimitriadou, Marios Pafitis and Athina Grigoriou, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Greece list in 2026.
The MAMMOCHECK project (SEED/0525(B)/0102) is implemented under the Cohesion Policy Programme THALIA 2021–2027 and is co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus via the Research and Innovation Foundation.
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