Pink October: Peekcell, an École Polytechnique startup, offers an alternative, non-invasive cancer screening method

Supported by École Polytechnique's X-Up incubator, Peekcell offers a non-invasive test for the early detection of several types of female cancers. 

Co-founded by Gwendoline Tallec (X2013), Hélène Malka-Mahieu, a cancer researcher, and Antoine Droneau (Master's degree in nanobiotechnology and biomedical engineering), Peekcell is developing a urine test for the early detection of breast and gynecological cancers. 

Peekcell was born out of the observation that in France, only 50% of women are screened for breast or cervical cancer, and that no screening tests are offered to people predisposed to ovarian or endometrial cancer.

The device is based on the analysis of biomarkers present in urine. The technology, which draws on dual expertise in biology and artificial intelligence algorithms, generates a risk score that is sent to the attending physician. The test, which is accessible and non-invasive, enables early entry into a care pathway, thereby improving remission rates.

Peekcell, supported by Wilco Healthcare, completed a €1.3 million fundraising round at the end of 2024. The start-up is part of Bpifrance's La French Care community, which brings together French healthcare players around a common goal: innovating for better care.