Breaking news

MammoCheck Secures A €500,000 SEED Grant From The RIF To Advance Toward FDA 510(k) Clearance And EU MDR CE Marking

MammoCheck RIF Grant Signed

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.

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

Aretilaw firm
Uol
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter