Dr Ben Miles, Ph.D.’s Post

In vitro diagnostics for early cancer detection has often been a graveyard for investors. Investors are attracted by the undoubtedly huge market potential. If a company can develop a diagnostic test that is implemented as a population level screening tool, this is the definition of a venture scale opportunity. However, multiple factors are at play that make the journey far from easy. You need a highly sensitive and specific test that allows you to minimise false positives and false negatives. This is because the burden of over diagnosis and over treatment against a change in overall mortality rates is a finely tuned balancing act. You'd also want to ensure that the screening tool was applicable to multi-cancer detection, going further than just a rule-out test, by predicting the origin site of a particular cancer. As a pre-seed/seed investor what we are often looking for is deep scientific domain expertise, coupled with credibility to achieve a proof-of-concept data point and/or prototypes. Our latest investment at Empirical Ventures into Xgenera and the dynamic duo Dr Andy Shapanis and Prof Paul Skipp might just be the right starting point for approaching this opportunity. Their multi cancer early detection test (MCED) called miONCO was developed from analysing relative expression profiles of microRNAs in 20,000 patient samples. Xgenera’s two step test would detect cancer using a computational algorithm to identify microRNA profiles extracted from patient blood samples, and can predict the site of origin of the cancer. As a screening test this could improve patient lives significantly. I believe Xgenera has the right technology, at the right time, based around recent advances in computational speed and power, post-COVID knowledge moats related to qPCR scale-up and novel biomarkers such as microRNAs to capitalise on this potential. Read more about it below. I can't wait to join the board to support the team as they navigate the 0 to 1 phase of this journey. CAPITAL AT RISK. FOR PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY. https://lnkd.in/dNpuSERg

If you want to implement a scalable multi-cancer early detection test, what does that test need to look like and why hasn't this panacea of cancer intervention already happened? Our latest investment into Xgenera who have raised £3.5m from Empirical Ventures, Ascension and lead investor QantX might just have the answer. With a £2.5m grant from NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), CEO Dr Andy Shapanis and CSO Prof Paul Skipp are the next entrepreneurial scientists we are backing at EV. Xgenera have a very promising multi cancer early detection test (MCED) called miONCO that was developed from analysing relative expression profiles of 50 microRNAs in 20,000 patient samples. Xgenera’s two step test would detect cancer using a computational algorithm to identify microRNA profiles extracted from patient blood samples, and then predict the site of origin of the cancer. As a screening test this could improve patient lives significantly. Xgenera's miONCO test satisfies the high level requirements for an MCED - it can diagnose multiple cancers (12) and based on miRNA markers it can detect signals earlier in the cancer stages compared to next-generation sequencing based approaches. The test will be developed into a qPCR format in partnership with YouSeq and can be administered via blood draws. CAPITAL AT RISK. FOR PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY. https://lnkd.in/dnWqFxYH Thank you to EV team members: Madeleine Nichols, PhD, Dr Ben Miles, Ph.D., Johnathan Matlock, Curran Kalha, Ph.D., Trang K. Nguyen, Alexander Fink and Keith Lipman Thank you to Jane Theaker who made the introduction to Dr Andy Shapanis. Thank you to our IP partner Abel + Imray and Tom Turner.

OneCell Diagnostics Inc. raises $16 Mn in Series A round: Cancer diagnostics startup OneCell Diagnostics has raised $16 million in its Series A round led by Celesta Capital. Tenacity Ventures, Cedars Sinai, Eragon, and Singularity Ventures have also participated in the round. The proceeds will be used to expand to the US market for OncoIndx Alfa, a next-generation liquid biopsy test that detects circulating tumor cells, OneCell said in a press release. Founded in 2021, OneCell’s technology uses next-generation sequencing, strong bioinformatics, AI/ML, and data analytics to create multi-omics biomarkers. “We see a future where everyone has access to high-quality, life-saving cancer testing and this funding is a powerful validation of our vision,” said Mohan Uttarwar, CEO and co-founder at OneCell Diagnostics. OncoIndx Alfa offers rich biomarkers that advance precision diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including use cases such as treatment response monitoring, disease progression, recurrence, and more. According to its website, OneCell partners with All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, and Tata Memorial Centre. It also has strategic academic and industry partners including Harvard Medical School and Stanford University, among others. The company has already introduced a series of products and tested its cell biopsy technology in nearly 10,000 patients to date in India.   #OneCellDiagnostics #CancerDiagnostics #LiquidBiopsy

𝐍𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 $40 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐬 An exciting announcement from last week: San Francisco-based techbio startup NOETIK, co-founded by Ron Alfa, and Jacob Rinaldi, has secured $40 million in Series A funding. This significant investment will drive the development of their cutting-edge multimodal computational engine, OCTO (𝑶𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝑶𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒍𝒆). Funds from the oversubscribed Series A financing will help NOETIK expand its large atlas of human cancer biology, which is already one of the world’s biggest. This includes enhancing its high-throughput in vivo CRISPR Perturb-Map platform. The investment will also support the growth of its multi-modal cancer models like OCTO. With these resources, NOETIK aims to advance a new pipeline of cancer therapies towards clinical trials. The NOETIK team has also introduced the Lung BioAtlas, the most comprehensive dataset available on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With only about 12.5% of cancer patients currently responding to immunotherapy, there’s a growing need for more precise, targeted treatments. NOETIK is looking to partner with academic and industry organizations to use the Lung BioAtlas to develop more effective cancer therapies. It’s exciting to see early-stage biotechs like NOETIK securing significant investment in a challenging market. This funding will help grow an exceptional team and drive innovations that have the potential to make a real difference for patients worldwide.

PK Innovation Research – CUTTING-EDGE MICROBES PAVE THE WAY FOR ADVANCED CANCER TREATMENT Harnessing the Power of Microbes to Transform Immunotherapy. Immunotherapies have become a cornerstone in cancer treatment, yet many cancers remain unresponsive, with success rates lingering between 15-20%. Solid tumours, in particular, often resist these treatments. A groundbreaking synthetic biology startup aims to change this narrative. Traditional immunotherapies often fail because tumours create a hostile microenvironment, blocking drugs and immune cells from attacking the cancer. Addressing this challenge, the startup has developed a revolutionary platform to engineer safe microbial strains—acting as "programmable microscopic trojan horses." These biotherapeutics penetrate and dismantle the stromal barriers protecting tumours, without harming healthy tissues, thus allowing immune cells to effectively target the cancer. This innovative approach holds promise for patients previously resistant to treatment, enabling effective immunotherapy. The company has already developed two proprietary products targeting colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers. Recently, the startup secured €2.2 million in funding. Their goals for the upcoming year include advancing their pre-clinical data package, obtaining initial regulatory validation, and refining their biosensor platform. These steps are crucial for their next fundraising round, paving the way for their first IND filing and initial human trials by 2027. If you would like to receive deep insights into our research method and how we could contribute to your innovation journey. Book a time with me https://lnkd.in/gZN_B8Wq Follow us for more research updates https://lnkd.in/eVJrMMjy or https://lnkd.in/erRiEaEH

PK Innovation Research – CUTTING-EDGE MICROBES PAVE THE WAY FOR ADVANCED CANCER TREATMENT Harnessing the Power of Microbes to Transform Immunotherapy. Immunotherapies have become a cornerstone in cancer treatment, yet many cancers remain unresponsive, with success rates lingering between 15-20%. Solid tumours, in particular, often resist these treatments. A groundbreaking synthetic biology startup aims to change this narrative. Traditional immunotherapies often fail because tumours create a hostile microenvironment, blocking drugs and immune cells from attacking the cancer. Addressing this challenge, the startup has developed a revolutionary platform to engineer safe microbial strains—acting as "programmable microscopic trojan horses." These biotherapeutics penetrate and dismantle the stromal barriers protecting tumours, without harming healthy tissues, thus allowing immune cells to effectively target the cancer. This innovative approach holds promise for patients previously resistant to treatment, enabling effective immunotherapy. The company has already developed two proprietary products targeting colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers. Recently, the startup secured €2.2 million in funding. Their goals for the upcoming year include advancing their pre-clinical data package, obtaining initial regulatory validation, and refining their biosensor platform. These steps are crucial for their next fundraising round, paving the way for their first IND filing and initial human trials by 2027. If you would like to receive deep insights into our research method and how we could contribute to your innovation journey. Book a time with me https://lnkd.in/g9R9B38p Follow us for more research updates https://lnkd.in/egvMnRzh or https://lnkd.in/eZZQqDpY

Cancer diagnostics startup OneCell Diagnostics Inc. has raised $16 million in its Series A funding round, led by Celesta Capital. The round also saw participation from Tenacity Ventures, Cedars-Sinai, Eragon Ventures, and Singularity Ventures. The funds will be directed towards expanding OncoIndx Alfa, a next-generation liquid biopsy test, into the U.S. market, the company said in a press release. OncoIndx Alfa leverages cutting-edge technology to detect circulating tumor cells, aiding in early cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Founded in 2021, OneCell integrates next-generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics, AI/ML, and data analytics to develop multi-omics biomarkers, advancing the precision diagnosis and treatment of cancer. “We envision a future where everyone has access to high-quality, life-saving cancer testing. This funding validates our mission and accelerates its realization,” said Mohan Uttarwar, CEO and co-founder of OneCell Diagnostics. OncoIndx Alfa provides a comprehensive range of biomarkers for applications such as treatment response monitoring, disease progression, and recurrence detection. OneCell partners with leading institutions, including AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi) , Tata Memorial Centre, Harvard Medical School, and Stanford University, as per its website. To date, OneCell has introduced multiple products and tested its cell biopsy technology on nearly 10,000 patients across India, paving the way for its global expansion. Srikanth Katturwar | Jayant | DHRUV | Aravindan Vasudevan | Sandeep | Surinnder | Padma | Kamala | Anita | Arun | Nicholas | Krishna | Sriram |

🌟 Lumiblast: Revolutionizing Cancer Therapy! 🌟   🚀 Archimedes - Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship of NKUA is thrilled to unveil a groundbreaking innovation in cancer treatment. Prof. Georgios Vougioukalakis along with Dr. George Rotas from the Department of Chemistry at the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Dr. Theo Theodossiou along with Prof. Kristian Berg from the Oslo University Hospital and Prof. Miguel A. Miranda from the Polytechnic University of Valencia have developed two novel families of organic compounds, marking a significant advancement in photodynamic therapy. 🔬 Unparalleled Innovation: This inventive approach utilizes mitochondria-powered luminescence to noninvasively target and treat inaccessible tumors. The new chemical entities, derived from luminol or acridine esters with sulfonamide groups, aim at the endoplasmic reticulum of cancer cells. By leveraging the active oxygen species within the endoplasmic reticulum, this treatment induces self-sustaining destruction of cancer cells. Prof. Georgios Vougioukalakis stated: “We are really eager to see the award-winning Lumiblast technology moving on. We are currently pursuing further funding opportunities, including the EIC Transition programme, that would enable us to bring our technology closer to the clinic.” 🤝 Seeking Collaborators: We invite partners and licensees to join us in bringing this revolutionary cancer treatment to market. Our innovative compounds are particularly effective against solid, hard-to-reach tumors, such as glioblastoma (a malignant brain tumor). This breakthrough holds immense potential for transforming clinical management of challenging cancer types. 🌟 Enhanced Treatment Outcomes: This pioneering technology redefines cancer treatment standards, offering hope for patients with difficult-to-treat tumors. By harnessing the unique properties of our chemiluminescent compounds, we aim to deliver enhanced therapeutic benefits and improved patient outcomes. Join us in revolutionizing cancer treatment with this cutting-edge solution! For more details about our innovative technology, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/d9C-x9gw Inven2 Ethnikon kai Kapodistriakon Panepistimion Athinon #CancerTreatment #Oncology #PharmaceuticalInnovation #ArchimedesCenter #ResearchBreakthrough

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐘: We’re proud to share a new study published in PNAS, led by Melita Irving and Greta Maria Paola Giordano Attianese introducing 𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐍/𝐎𝐅𝐅-𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐀𝐑-𝐓 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲. ✅ 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: The study presents a novel CAR design that can be activated by venetoclax and shut-down by lenalidomide, providing real-time control over CAR-T cell function in treated patients. 🔬 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: By separating the 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧-𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 of chimeric receptors on two separate chains, the CAR T cells are non-responsive unless the small molecule venetoclax is administered that triggers chain dimerization. If there are signs of toxicity in the patient, a second small molecule, lenalidomide, can be administered to rapidly shut down the CAR. This breakthrough design allows the use of 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐬 to turn CAR-T cells on and off, improving their safety and reducing T-cell exhaustion during treatment. 🔔 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰: This design builds on previous research where the team developed a 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏-𝐂𝐀𝐑 that could be switched off using a small molecule. Now, they’ve introduced both an 𝐎𝐍-𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐍/𝐎𝐅𝐅-𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐀𝐑, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐬, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐞. ❓ 𝐒𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭? This technology could revolutionize cancer treatment by allowing clinicians to tailor CAR-T cell activity during therapy, improving patient safety and long-term treatment success. 👏 Congratulations to Greta Maria Paola Giordano Attianese Melita Irving Elisabette Cribioli Sailan Shui Mélanie Triboulet Morteza H. Patrick Reichenbach Pablo Gainza Bruno Correia EPFL PACTT - Knowledge Transfer Office UNIL-CHUV CHUV / Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois FBM UNIL - Faculté de biologie et de médecine de l'Université de Lausanne Ludwig Cancer Research Université de Lausanne ▶ more: https://lnkd.in/e8ZbhTNm 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eThj4QtF

*KUDOS* Orakl Oncology Nearly 3 years ago, I lost my very dear friend Audrey Gentilucci to brain cancer — she was 35 and a mother of 3. A few months ago, my father passed away from liver cancer, 3 days after I'd learned about his illness. I realise we all have stories like these. We shouldn't. The beauty of working in venture capital is that we have the ability — and the *responsibility*, I might add — to invest in teams and missions that will shape a better future. This is THAT team -- Fanny Jaulin, PhD, Diane-Laure Pagès and Gustave Ronteix, founders of Orakl Oncology, a company at the forefront of cancer research and precision medicine, founded as a spinoff from the Gustave Roussy institute. What they do is transform how new cancer drugs are trialed and developed, to make it easier to cure cancer. Just that. It’s rare to encounter a team with such complementary expertise and genuine synergy, even from a distance. Engaging with them reveals grit, ambition, and a shared motivation that transcends individual aspirations—they are driven by a collective mission to make a meaningful impact in the field of medicine. So today, we’re so proud to announce our investment in Orakl Oncology in this €11m round led by our friends at Singular, hoping to support them in the best way we can in their journey to bring hope and life-changing solutions to those in need. SISTAFUND Tatiana Jama Natacha Brami Alice Groth Erwan Gardelle Valentine Baudouin Bpifrance Raffi Kamber Jeremy Uzan Speedinvest HCVC Alexis Houssou Verve Ventures VC