Top 7 Colorectal cancer treatment startups in USA
Apr 17, 2026
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21
1
Funding: $2.8B
Exact Sciences creates noninvasive screening tests for the early detection of cancer. The company's flagship product, Cologuard test, uses a biomarker panel that analyzes a stool sample for 10 DNA markers, as well as fecal blood (hemoglobin). It detects colon cancer even in its early stages, when it is more treatable. The test can be administered at home without special training. Cologuard includes a built-in patient management program with support. The test is based on proprietary QuARTS (quantitative allele-specific amplification of target and real-time signal) technology, which efficiently amplifies and quantifies two distinct methylated DNA markers (NDRG4 and BMP3), as well as seven different point mutations of the KRAS gene. The beta-actin gene (ACTB) serves as a reference marker for quantifying the total amount of human DNA in each sample.
Exact Sciences creates noninvasive screening tests for the early detection of cancer. The company's flagship product, Cologuard test, uses a biomarker panel that analyzes a stool sample for 10 DNA markers, as well as fecal blood (hemoglobin). It detects colon cancer even in its early stages, when it is more treatable. The test can be administered at home without special training. Cologuard includes a built-in patient management program with support. The test is based on proprietary QuARTS (quantitative allele-specific amplification of target and real-time signal) technology, which efficiently amplifies and quantifies two distinct methylated DNA markers (NDRG4 and BMP3), as well as seven different point mutations of the KRAS gene. The beta-actin gene (ACTB) serves as a reference marker for quantifying the total amount of human DNA in each sample.
2
Funding: $1.5B
Freenome has developed blood test for colorectal cancer detection based on artificial intelligence. Freenome's technology combines computational biology, machine learning and various data types to detect the most subtle signs of cancer, even in the earliest stages. In addition to colon cancer, the company is developing a test for lung cancer detection. Acquired by Perceptive Capital Solutions
Freenome has developed blood test for colorectal cancer detection based on artificial intelligence. Freenome's technology combines computational biology, machine learning and various data types to detect the most subtle signs of cancer, even in the earliest stages. In addition to colon cancer, the company is developing a test for lung cancer detection. Acquired by Perceptive Capital Solutions
3
Funding: $1.2B
Kura Oncology develops precision small-molecule drugs for treatment of solid tumors and blood cancers. The company discovers and tests new biomarkers of cancer signaling pathways. Kura's flagship drug, COMZIFTI, is approved for the treatment of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) gene mutation whose AML has relapsed or failed to improve after previous treatment and who have no other satisfactory treatment options. The company's pipeline also includes clinical trials for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors, renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Kura Oncology develops precision small-molecule drugs for treatment of solid tumors and blood cancers. The company discovers and tests new biomarkers of cancer signaling pathways. Kura's flagship drug, COMZIFTI, is approved for the treatment of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) gene mutation whose AML has relapsed or failed to improve after previous treatment and who have no other satisfactory treatment options. The company's pipeline also includes clinical trials for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors, renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
4
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.
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.
5
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.
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.
6
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.
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.
7
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.
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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