Swedish start-up one step closer to reusable pregnancy test prototype

The Swedish start-up Pharmista Technologies is one step closer to developing the first prototype for its reusable pregnancy test in a move that could “disrupt” the current market.

The company, which has been focusing on finalising its proof-of-concept study, is aiming to have the first version of its prototype this spring.

Pharmista‘s test would require customers to buy a monitor that contains chemical substances and electronics. For each test, they would have to load replaceable paper strips into the monitor and wait a few minutes for the results to become available.

Currently, no test kit can be reused due to the HCG strips that can only be used once.

With its eco-friendly innovation, the Swedish start-up aims to disrupt the market, minimise the risk of misinterpreting results and reduce costs.

“The pregnancy test is the most commonly used over-the-counter test, yet very little innovation has occurred since the first test was launched 40 years ago, so our perception is that people are eager to find better solutions within this area,” says Pharmista co-founder, Alice Mattsson.

In the past year, she has been focused on intellectual property rights outside Sweden, while also working on understanding the EU and US regulatory frameworks to get the final product approved.

“Although our product does not require us to perform a clinical study, we still need to perform a usability study” she explains.

“We need to ensure that the consumers regenerate the sensor correctly, they attach the strip correctly to the sensor, and that they ultimately interpret the results correctly.

“That means we’ll have to do more studies on the usability aspects, aside from having to validate the test’s performance scientifically and analytically.”

Currently in talks with investors, Mattsson and her co-founder, Robert Porter, are raising €400,000 to bring the product to life in a move that, she says, would make her very happy.

“We’re extremely excited! If we can prove that the technology works for our reusable pregnancy test, we can employ it onto other areas as well,” she says.

“Fertility would be a natural area to explore. The potential growth and scalability are big, and we know that this is something companies are looking for.”