Top 11 Colorectal cancer treatment startups

Updated: Dec 10, 2025
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These startups develop new colorectal cancer treatments and diagnostics technologies, such as robot-assisted surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, stereotactic body radiation therapy, cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy.
1
D3 Bio
Country: China | Funding: $370M
D3 Bio specializes in the development of innovative immunotherapies in oncology and immunology. The company's lead drug, elisrasib, is a next-generation KRAS G12C inhibitor that is being studied as a potential monotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer, as well as in combination with Merck KGaA's Erbitux anticancer drug or with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The company's pipeline includes clinical trials against mut cancers, CRC, PanCa, breast cancer, gastric cancer, bladder cancer and other solid tumors.
2
Artios Pharma
Country: UK | Funding: $414M
Artios develops a pipeline of DNA damage response (DDR)-targeting cancer prospects, that is based on the idea that tumor cells use DDR pathways to manage DNA damage. By inhibiting key components of the DDR, a DDR inhibitor can kill cancerous cells while skipping healthy ones. Company's lead candidate, alnodesertib (DNA polymerase theta inhibitor) is intenede to treat pancreatic cancer, breast and third-line colorectal cancer. It has demonstrated durable responses in patients with eight different solid tumor types whose tumors had ATM deficiency. Artios’ pipeline also features a DDR inhibitor antibody-drug conjugate (DDR-ADC) discovery program
3
Exact Sciences
Country: USA | Funding: $2.8B
Exact Sciences is the developer and manufacturer of Cologuard, a non-invasive screening test for the early detection of colorectal cancer.
4
Freenome
Country: USA | Funding: $1.5B
Freenome is a platform that helps design healthy conditions for an individual based on his/her cell-free genome. It employs Artificial Intelligence to detect colorectal cancer.
5
Lyell Immunopharma
Country: USA | Funding: $543M
Lyell Immunopharma is developing a CAR-T cell therapy for colorectal cancer. The therapy targets tumors expressing the guanylate cyclase-C (GCC) protein receptor. GCC is expressed in more than 95% of colorectal cancer cases and in most cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Lyell's genetic reprogramming technologies aim to slow T-cell depletion and generate more potent T-cells with enhanced, sustained anti-tumor activity in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
6
Alaunos Therapeutics
Country: USA | Funding: $337M
Alaunos Therapeutics develops immunotherapies for cancer treatment using novel TCR-derived T cells. These cell therapies target neoantigens (neoAgs) arising from genomic mutations in solid tumors. The company has developed proprietary, rapid and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of tumor-specific killer T cells. Alaunos' clinical TCR library targets the most common mutations in the KRAS, TP53 and EGFR genes, which are prevalent in gastrointestinal (colon, bile duct, pancreatic), lung and gynecologic (ovarian and endometrial) cancers across a range of different HLA alleles. Company's propriety non-viral Sleeping Beauty transposon/transposase system is used to introduce the TCR gene into the patient's autologous T cells. Alaunos's current pipeline includes clinical trials against lung, colorectal, pancreatic and ovarian cancers.
7
Forty Seven
Country: USA | Funding: $156M
With a passion for pioneering breakthrough solutions, we are committed to the advancement of immuno-oncology through the engagement of new and complementary phagocytic pathways that enhance anti-tumor efficacy and selectivity. Acquired by Gilead Sciences
8
Totus Medicines
Country: USA | Funding: $106M
Totus Medicines is a provider of chemical biology technologies by creating life-changing covalent drugs.
9
Ayala Pharmaceuticals
Country: Israel | Funding: $72M
Ayala Pharmaceuticals develops a personalized treatment for cancer.
10
Belong
Country: USA | Funding: $40M
Belong is the world’s largest social network for cancer patients and caregivers. The Belong app provides people with cancer and their families a unique and innovative personalized solution to help manage and fight cancer more effectively.
11
CaroGen
Country: USA | Funding: $11.4M
CaroGen Corporation is an immunotherapy company employing a virus-like vesicle (VLV) platform technology. CaroGen develops vaccine candidates targeting hepatitis B and C, and other viral agents.
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Jason Kwon
Editor: Jason Kwon
Jason Kwon is a senior editor for MedicalStartups. He has previously covered the pharmaceutical and medical research industries for FDAnews and worked as a head of marketing for medical startup Sonic Therapeutics. Before that, he co-founded a startup consulting business for emerging entrepreneurial hubs in Asia. Jason graduated from St. Bonaventure University’s journalism school. In his free time, Jason enjoys yoga, watching movie trailers, traveling to places where he can't get cell service. You can contact Jason at jaskwon(at)medicalstartups(dot)com