Cervical cancer is the fifth most deadly cancer in women worldwide. It affects about 1 per 123 women per year and kills about nine per 100,000 per year. In Malaysia, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer disease with 2,500 new cases diagnosed every year. However, unlike most other common cancers, it has been observed to occur as a result of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The Papanicolaou test, or Pap smear, and its widespread use for cervical cancer screening have been credited with dramatically reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in developed countries.

The Pap Smear test itself is generally painless. A qualified doctor or nurse will do an internal examination by gently taking cells from the surface of the cervix speculum using a spatula and an endocervical brush. The cells are then placed on a glass slide, stained using the Papanicolaou technique, and sent to a laboratory for a microscopic examination by a specially trained and qualified cytotechnologist. The accuracy of conventional cytology report allows 92% specificity and 72% accuracy. However, current techniques are typically limited by interference of mucus and blood during the retrieval process, as well as the sampled cells being not a good representation of the overall condition.

The screening of cells is typically labour intensive, and may result in technicians failing to provide an accurate diagnosis, as a certain percentage of Pap smear slides are obscured by blood, mucus and inflammation, rendering the slides being unsatisfactory for diagnosis. In fact, in the United States, physicians who fail to diagnose cervical cancer from a Pap smear have been convicted of negligent homicide. More efficient and effective techniques have been devised to address the limitations of conventional Pap smear. Among them, Liquid based monolayer cytology. The samples are placed into a vial containing a liquid medium which preserves the cells and prepares the cells for processing.

Founded in 2003 by medical diagnostic industry veteran, Mr. K.M. Chin and his engineer partner, Mr. Nicholas Cheong, Fjord encompasses the experience Mr. K.M. Chin has accumulated working in the industry for over 20 years locally and abroad, with leading medical diagnostic multinationals. He has observed the high costs of many other diagnostic kits result in a prohibitive environment for cervical screening which is not being enforced in the country, and hence wanted to resolve it by providing a better alternative to the current available products and enhancing on it. Today, Fjord Technology’s Liqúi-Smear™ System is being utilized by many pathology laboratories across the country. It also has customers across the ASEAN region, including Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.

On its future developments, Fjord is setting its sights on some lofty aims. Among them, Fjord has applied for Bionexus status, in hopes of being recognized for its groundbreaking work. It is also open to partnering new strategic investors who can assist financially to accelerate its growth plans. Similarly, it hopes to cinch the market-leader place in the region, as well as develop its platform into various other forms of diagnostics while enhancing value. Fjord is also looking into the prospects of Mesdaq listing beyond the next 24 months as the Malaysian Government pushes towards biotechnology development in its recent 2005 Biotechnology Policy.