Adrian Rubstein’s Post

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 |

🗓 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟳 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜’𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 Todays read is "𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗡𝗙𝗫 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝘄𝗼𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀", a platform poised to tackle a major gap in cancer treatment. TwoStep raised a $6.5M seed last year. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀: 1️⃣ I love learning about how VCs decide where to invest. It’s cool to see which factors they prioritize and why. 2️⃣ Solid tumors (90% of all cancers) are notoriously difficult to treat. Unlike liquid tumors (e.g., leukemia), which are easier to target and drug, solid tumors are like Fort Knox. Finding a reliable “entry point” is hard and usually results in collateral damage. 🤔 𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗧𝘄𝗼𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗱𝗼? They developed a “smart peptide” that latches onto integrins—proteins on the surface of solid tumors that act like zip codes. This peptide delivers medicine directly to the tumor while sparing healthy cells. It's like a precision airstrike instead of the carpet-bombing approach of chemo or radiation. TwoStep checked the usual boxes—strong team (including a Nobel laureate), big market, scalable platform. But digging deeper, there were a couple unique things that stood out, especially in the biotech and oncology space. ✨ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 “𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺-𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻-𝗮-𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺” 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 TwoStep created a platform, i.e., a delivery vehicle that can be used for LOTS of different drugs. Most biotech startups focus on developing a single drug or a specific therapy. It presents an opportunity to "supercharge" existing cancer treatments. ✨ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 “𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝘄” 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 Integrin targeting isn’t a completely new idea, but it’s taken years for the tech and research to catch up. TwoStep is leveraging the latest advances in precision medicine, integrin biology, and peptide engineering to bring something truly novel to market. 💬 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲: “𝘈 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 – 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭.” 🔥 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲: Platforms like TwoStep could shift cancer treatment away from one-off solutions to a more modular, scalable approach. 📖 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸.👇🏼 ✨ 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: This completes my 7-day challenge to post daily on LinkedIn! 🎉 It’s been an incredible week diving into venture capital, health tech, and startups. I get excited over cool science, so this seemed like the perfect article to end with! 😊 Thank you to everyone who’s read, commented, or shared thoughts along the way! I read a lot anyway, but stopping to explain 𝘸𝘩𝘺 I find something interesting? Way harder than I expected. 🚀 What do you think? Did you enjoy these posts? Should I keep going? 😊

🎉 Exciting times in oncology! I'm always on the lookout for new, exciting approaches to overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment using immune cell therapies. I was delighted to see OverT Bio's launch with a $16M investment led by ARTIS Ventures and Wing Venture Capital, with the goal of revolutionizing solid cancer-targeting cell therapies. The team, led by New York University's Dr. Neville Sanjana and Dr. Mat Legut, utilizes a novel pooled genome-scale over-expression approach to identify positive regulators of T cell function and enhance the effectiveness of therapies in overcoming tumor-induced immune suppression. At xcellbio, our focus on improving potency in cell therapies through modulating #immunometabolism via the manufacturing process aligns well with the unmet needs in tumor targeting and potency at the tumor site. OverT Bio’s focus in advancing this field through novel strategies of improving T cell function in the TME resonates strongly with our own efforts as we press ahead for better solutions to treat solid tumors. https://lnkd.in/gtAnaVV5 #CellTherapy #Oncology #Innovation #tumormicroenvironment

Stem Cell Therapy developers I Peace and iCamuno Biotherapeutics Start Natural Killer Cell Trial for Ovarian Cancer - https://lnkd.in/ewK_iFg5 I Peace, a pioneering CDMO in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and iCamuno Biotherapeutics, a biotech company developing iPS cell-based therapies, today announced a significant milestone with the dosing of the first patient in a clinical trial using iPS cell-derived natural killer (iNK) cells for ovarian cancer immunotherapy. iCamuno will lead the trial, which will test the safety and efficacy of NK cells made from I Peace’s cGMP-compliant iPS cells using iCamuno’s NK cell differentiation technology. Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical component of the anti-cancer immune system, with natural abilities to recognize and destroy tumor cells. This trial leverages iCamuno’s abilities to create cGMP-grade iPS cell-derived NK cells with improved consistency and effector function. The initial phase will focus on ovarian cancer, with potential expansion to a broader range of diseases. “We are thrilled to reach this moment,” said Koji Tanabe, CEO and founder at I Peace, Inc.| Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing, cGMP iPSCs | CDMO. “Dosing the first patient in this trial using our iPS cell line is a significant milestone in our goal to develop innovative immunotherapies for cancer.” “This is an important milestone for iCamuno,” said Ethan Liu, Chairman and co-founder of iCamuno Biotherapeutics Pty Ltd. “Given their safety and efficacy in preclinical testing, we are hopeful that our iNK cells will be a valuable weapon in the battle against ovarian cancer.” #ipscells #stemcells #nkcells #advancedtherapies

Stem Cell Therapy developers I Peace and iCamuno Biotherapeutics Start Natural Killer Cell Trial for Ovarian Cancer - https://lnkd.in/eV3-44wD I Peace, a pioneering CDMO in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and iCamuno Biotherapeutics, a biotech company developing iPS cell-based therapies, today announced a significant milestone with the dosing of the first patient in a clinical trial using iPS cell-derived natural killer (iNK) cells for ovarian cancer immunotherapy. iCamuno will lead the trial, which will test the safety and efficacy of NK cells made from I Peace’s cGMP-compliant iPS cells using iCamuno’s NK cell differentiation technology. Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical component of the anti-cancer immune system, with natural abilities to recognize and destroy tumor cells. This trial leverages iCamuno’s abilities to create cGMP-grade iPS cell-derived NK cells with improved consistency and effector function. The initial phase will focus on ovarian cancer, with potential expansion to a broader range of diseases. “We are thrilled to reach this moment,” said Koji Tanabe, CEO and founder at I Peace, Inc.| Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing, cGMP iPSCs | CDMO. “Dosing the first patient in this trial using our iPS cell line is a significant milestone in our goal to develop innovative immunotherapies for cancer.” “This is an important milestone for iCamuno,” said Ethan Liu, Chairman and co-founder of iCamuno Biotherapeutics Pty Ltd. “Given their safety and efficacy in preclinical testing, we are hopeful that our iNK cells will be a valuable weapon in the battle against ovarian cancer.” #ipscells #stemcells #nkcells #advancedtherapies Matthew McCormack

New investment opportunity on Capital Cell: Flomics launches a 600K euro round (98% already committed) to advance their groundbreaking solution for early cancer detection through a liquid biopsy test. 🔍 High Precision: Flomics leverages RNA, artificial intelligence, and next-generation sequencing, offering an advanced and cost-effective solution, achieving over 90% accuracy in colon cancer detection 🔬 Extensive Validation: Flomics is applying its solution to a validation study involving 5 different types of cancer and approximately 1300 samples. 💰 Recent Sector Successes: The acquisition of Grail for $8 billion, the merger of Thrive with Exact Sciences for $2 billion, and the integration of Foundation Medicine into Roche for $2.4 billion underscore the high potential value of cancer detection technology. Led by João Curado and André Guedes, Flomics has the potential to be a game-changer in the liquid biopsy market, which was valued at $4.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to exceed $27 billion by 2035. https://lnkd.in/dfMYhv5B

Research in the field of cancer is continuously evolving, with many top institutes constantly exploring innovative and groundbreaking approaches. Here are some of the latest trending research ideas in cancer studies that top cancer institutes around the world are currently focusing on: ### 1. Immunotherapy Enhancements - T-cell Engineering: Researchers are working on genetically modifying T-cells to better recognize and attack cancer cells. - Checkpoint Inhibitors: Developing new checkpoint inhibitors that help the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. - Cancer Vaccines: Creating vaccines aimed at preventing cancer or targeting specific cancer cells after diagnosis. ### 2. Precision Medicine - Targeted Therapy Development: Designing drugs that specifically target the molecular changes that cause cancer. - Genetic Profiling: Using genetic and genomic information to tailor personalized treatment plans for cancer patients. ### 3. Liquid Biopsies - Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA): Developing techniques to detect and analyze ctDNA for early cancer detection, monitoring treatment progress, and identifying treatment-resistant tumor cells. ### 4. Artificial Intelligence in Oncology - Diagnostic Algorithms: Utilizing AI to improve the accuracy of cancer diagnostics through imaging and pathology. - Treatment Planning: AI algorithms that predict optimal treatment combinations based on vast datasets of cancer treatment outcomes. ### 5. Metabolic Pathways in Cancer - Warburg Effect: Investigating the altered metabolism of cancer cells to find new therapeutic targets. - Starvation Therapy: Exploring ways to cut off the energy supply to cancer cells as a treatment strategy. ### 6. Microenvironment Manipulation - Tumor Microenvironment (TME): Targeting the supportive environment that surrounds tumor cells in order to halt or reverse tumor growth. - Stromal Cells: Researching how cancer-associated stromal cells can be manipulated to prevent them from aiding tumor growth. ### 7. Nanotechnology - Drug Delivery Systems: Enhancing the delivery of chemotherapy drugs directly to tumor cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells. - Nano-sensors: Developing tiny sensors for more precise detection and monitoring of cancer progression. ### 8. Oncolytic Virus Therapy - Virus Engineering: Using genetically modified viruses that can infect and destroy cancer cells without harming normal cells. - Combination Therapies: Studying how oncolytic viruses can be combined with other treatments like immunotherapy for enhanced effectiveness. ### 9. Epigenetics - DNA Methylation Inhibitors: Developing drugs targeting aberrant DNA methylation patterns found in cancer cells. - Histone Modification: Research on how changes in histone proteins affect gene expression in cancer cells and how these can be targeted with drugs.

🌟 Driving Innovation in Cancer Diagnostics with TRIZ 🎯 In the high-stakes world of cancer diagnostics, innovation demands more than creativity—it requires structure, precision, and the ability to solve seemingly unsolvable problems. Enter TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving), a methodology pioneered by Genrich Altshuller, a Soviet engineer and inventor. In the late 1940s, TRIZ was developed from Altshuller’s analysis of thousands of patents. He identified patterns of inventive solutions and distilled them into a systematic framework, empowering teams to address complex challenges in a repeatable, structured way. Here’s how TRIZ guides the development of Cancer Laboratory-Developed Tests (LDTs): 1️⃣ Identifying Contradictions: Innovation often begins with conflicting goals—enhancing test accuracy without inflating costs or improving speed without compromising reliability. TRIZ helps isolate these contradictions and develop solutions that optimize all factors. 2️⃣ Leveraging Universal Principles: TRIZ provides a toolkit of strategies, such as: - Separation of Contradictions: Achieving opposing objectives simultaneously. - Merging: Combining components or processes to create synergy. - Universality: Designing systems that adapt to diverse needs, such as detecting multiple cancer types. 3️⃣ Structured Ideation: Unlike traditional brainstorming, TRIZ fosters focused creativity by directing teams to proven inventive principles. This structure ensures that no avenue is overlooked, particularly when innovating under strict regulatory and clinical constraints. 4️⃣ Iterative Application: TRIZ isn’t a one-time exercise; it’s applied at every stage of development—from concept validation to full-scale deployment—ensuring that innovations evolve in response to real-world challenges. 🔬 Why It Matters: In a field where time and precision can save lives, TRIZ transforms innovation from an abstract goal into a repeatable, results-driven process. It’s not just about solving problems; it’s about creating a roadmap to continuous improvement and impact. Here’s how TRIZ principles, such as Separation of Contradictions, Merging, and Universality, guide test development through key phases: 1️⃣ Concept Validation: Transforming early ideas into tangible possibilities. 2️⃣ Initial Prototype: Crafting the first iteration of the diagnostic test. 3️⃣ Preclinical Testing: Ensuring robustness in controlled environments. 4️⃣ Clinical Validation (Phase 1 & 2): Refining accuracy and reliability with patient data. 5️⃣ Regulatory Submission: Addressing compliance while maintaining innovation. 6️⃣ Pilot Production & Full-Scale Deployment: Delivering impactful solutions to the real world. 💡 Developed by Altshuller, TRIZ has grown into a global tool for innovation across technical industries. #Innovation #TRIZ #Methodology #ProblemSolving #CancerDiagnostics #MedTech #HealthcareInnovation #Biotech

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.

🔬 Cutting-Edge Advancements in Precision Oncology: Shaping the Future of Cancer Care 🔬 The field of precision oncology is experiencing remarkable advancements, leveraging the latest technologies and scientific discoveries to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here are some of the most recent and impactful breakthroughs that are transforming patient care: 🔬 Multi-Omics Approaches: The integration of multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) is providing a holistic view of cancer biology. Recent studies have demonstrated the power of multi-omics in uncovering novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. For instance, the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) project has revealed new insights into the mutational processes and structural variations across different cancer types, guiding the development of more effective personalized therapies. 🧬 Single-Cell Sequencing: Single-cell sequencing technology is allowing for unprecedented resolution in understanding tumor heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment. Recent advancements have enabled the profiling of thousands of individual cells from a single tumor sample, uncovering rare subpopulations of cells that contribute to treatment resistance and disease progression. This technology is also being used to map the immune landscape of tumors, identifying potential targets for immunotherapy. 💊 CRISPR-Based Therapies: The application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology in oncology is opening new avenues for targeted cancer treatment. Recent clinical trials have shown promising results in using CRISPR to engineer T cells for adoptive cell therapy, targeting specific cancer antigens with high precision. Moreover, CRISPR screens are being utilized to identify synthetic lethal interactions, revealing novel vulnerabilities in cancer cells that can be exploited therapeutically. 🧪 Liquid Biopsy Advancements: The next generation of liquid biopsy technologies is improving the sensitivity and specificity of cancer detection and monitoring. Novel assays are now capable of detecting epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation patterns, in addition to genetic alterations. These advancements are enhancing early cancer detection and enabling real-time monitoring of treatment response and minimal residual disease (MRD). 📉 Spatial Transcriptomics: It's providing spatially resolved gene expression data, offering insights into the spatial organization of tumors and their microenvironment. This technology is helping to identify spatial heterogeneity within tumors, revealing distinct cellular niches that influence treatment response. Recent studies have utilized spatial transcriptomics to map immune cell infiltration and stromal interactions, guiding the development of spatially targeted therapies. #PrecisionOncology #CancerResearch #GenomicMedicine #Oncology #HealthcareInnovation #SingleCellSequencing #CRISPR #LiquidBiopsy #SpatialTranscriptomics