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Cancer is expected to be one of the most life-threatening diseases Affects more than 35 million people Worldwide in 2050 – 77% more than 20 million cases in 2022, according to the World Health Organization. The number of cancer survivors worldwide has reached 53.5 million, and the disease recurrence rate ranges between 15 and 100%, depending on the type of cancer, its stage, and the condition of each patient. Despite this, the world currently lacks effective diagnostic solutions to help reduce disease recurrence.
He enters OneCell Diagnosticsa genomics-based precision oncology startup, aims to help cancer survivors reduce the incidence of disease recurrence through its proprietary cell biopsy technology.
The startup, which has served nearly 10,000 patients in India and is looking to replicate its early Indian success in the US, has developed its own in-house blood biopsy test that helps detect cancer recurrence through circulating cancer cells. This differs from widely used cancer screening methods, including computed tomography (PET CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and tissue-based diagnosis.
OneCell has acquired an IP to capture and isolate circulating cancer cells through a 10 ml blood draw. A phlebotomist visits a patient’s home to collect drawn blood into two tubes: one to detect tumor DNA (ctDNA) and one to detect circulating cancer cells. These tubes are then sent to a nearby OnCell laboratory, where the blood sample is analyzed using a combination of scientific methods and artificial intelligence to predict disease recurrence, called True-Single-Cell-Multi-omics. The startup combines the DNA of circulating cancer cells with an RNA and cell surface protein test.
This helps provide better diagnostics, with at least 100 times more information than current liquid biopsy testing, which largely revolves around cell-free DNA and ctDNA, said co-founder and CEO Mohan Uttawar.
The startup has also developed an app called iCare, which acts as an oncology microcontroller to help oncologists interpret test reports using artificial intelligence and machine learning. “It’s innovation at the intersection of very deep science, cell science, and data science, and this is a perfect storm,” Utarwar told TechCrunch.
Although oncologists have medical knowledge, they are not well trained in precision oncology, he said. OneCell iCare helps. “Our goal is for every oncologist in every hospital in every corner of the world to tailor precision oncology,” he stressed.
OneCell has developed a special glass bead that uses antibodies and has an affinity toward cancer cells. This helps filter out circulating cancer cells from the patient’s blood sample.
The startup offers its biopsy test for comprehensive cancer analysis of all solid tumors, including breast, lung and colon cancer. However, it deliberately avoids first-time cancer patients due to regulatory restrictions.
Companies in this space are classified under the FDA breakthrough category, which requires premarket approvals. India does not have any such restrictions. However, as OneCell aims to launch in the US, it has chosen to specifically target the repeat patient market.
“Science and technology are very powerful and they work, but the business side of us decided not to enter this high-risk area,” Utarwar said.
The startup includes Guardant Health and Natera, as well as several Indian diagnostics companies, among its competitors. However, Uttarwar told TechCrunch that its diagnostic accuracy and affordability, which is one-fifth of the price charged by the competition, make it stand out.
Founded in 2021, OneCell operates on a B2B2C model, offering biopsy testing to patients through oncologists and hospitals in India. It has an office in Mumbai, western India, and a laboratory in Pune, and its employees number 120 people. It also has 24 employees in the United States, including those at its research and development facility in Silicon Valley.
The startup plans to start its business in the US after more than two and a half years of serving India by working with biotech and biopharmaceutical companies. It has developed a test called OncoIndx Ikon to detect and analyze CTCs, which will be available in the US through its local biomarker partners.
Early launch in India, Sunday Countries significantly affected by cancerhelped OneCell obtain enough data to enhance its analytics and AI system and onboard some of India’s best hospitals, including state-run institutes like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences as well as private hospitals Apollo, Fortis, and Tata Memorial. hospital. It also has strategic academic partners, including Harvard Medical School, Stanford University, and the University of Georgia.
OneCell has raised $16 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round led by Celesta Capital. The round also saw participation from Tenacity Ventures, Cedars Sinai, Eragon, and Singularity Ventures. Additionally, it added Nobel laureate James Rothman to the board of directors.
The fresh capital will help OneCell expand in the US and expand its business in India, Uttawar said.
The startup seeks to reach more than 1,000 oncologists and one million patients in the near term.
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