1
Country: Israel | Funding: $33.1M
Starget Pharma is developing a somatostatin-based targeted cancer therapy platform. It combines therapeutic drugs with radioactive isotopes, minimizing damage to healthy tissue. One of the key advantages of this approach is the use of the same molecular platform for both diagnosis and treatment: first, the molecule is administered along with a diagnostic isotope to assess tumor uptake using imaging. If imaging confirms strong tumor uptake, the same molecule is combined with a more potent therapeutic isotope to deliver targeted therapy. The own AI platform enables faster discovery and development of highly accurate radiopharmaceuticals. The company is conducting clinical trials of this technology for the treatment of sarcoma, skin cancer, liver cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.
Starget Pharma is developing a somatostatin-based targeted cancer therapy platform. It combines therapeutic drugs with radioactive isotopes, minimizing damage to healthy tissue. One of the key advantages of this approach is the use of the same molecular platform for both diagnosis and treatment: first, the molecule is administered along with a diagnostic isotope to assess tumor uptake using imaging. If imaging confirms strong tumor uptake, the same molecule is combined with a more potent therapeutic isotope to deliver targeted therapy. The own AI platform enables faster discovery and development of highly accurate radiopharmaceuticals. The company is conducting clinical trials of this technology for the treatment of sarcoma, skin cancer, liver cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.
2
Country: USA | Funding: $182.3M
Actuate Therapeutics develops molecular drugs for cancer treatment. Its lead drug, elraglusib (a GSK-3 inhibitor), targets multiple molecular pathways in cancer cells involved in promoting tumor growth and developing resistance to traditional anticancer drugs and chemotherapy. Elraglusib is also considered a mediator of antitumor immunity by inhibiting multiple immune checkpoints and regulating immune cell function. Actuate has demonstrated promising results in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, childhood malignancies, metastatic salivary gland carcinoma and melanoma.
Actuate Therapeutics develops molecular drugs for cancer treatment. Its lead drug, elraglusib (a GSK-3 inhibitor), targets multiple molecular pathways in cancer cells involved in promoting tumor growth and developing resistance to traditional anticancer drugs and chemotherapy. Elraglusib is also considered a mediator of antitumor immunity by inhibiting multiple immune checkpoints and regulating immune cell function. Actuate has demonstrated promising results in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, childhood malignancies, metastatic salivary gland carcinoma and melanoma.
3
Country: UK | Funding: $50M
Enara Bio develops targeted cancer immunotherapies using its Dark Antigen discovery engine and optimized T-cell activator platform. Dark Antigens cluster - is a rich source of novel cancer targets derived from genomic regions previously considered "dark" or non-coding. The EDAPT platform helps to identify these dark targets. The company has also developed EnTiCE platform for creating bispecific T-cell activators against these identified targets to improve treatment outcomes for a wide range of cancer patients. Enara Bio's pipeline includes clinical trials against solid tumors, non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and ovarian cancer. The startup is backed by leading biotech investors, including RA Capital, Pfizer Ventures, M Ventures, Samsara BioCapital, and SV Health Investors.
Enara Bio develops targeted cancer immunotherapies using its Dark Antigen discovery engine and optimized T-cell activator platform. Dark Antigens cluster - is a rich source of novel cancer targets derived from genomic regions previously considered "dark" or non-coding. The EDAPT platform helps to identify these dark targets. The company has also developed EnTiCE platform for creating bispecific T-cell activators against these identified targets to improve treatment outcomes for a wide range of cancer patients. Enara Bio's pipeline includes clinical trials against solid tumors, non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and ovarian cancer. The startup is backed by leading biotech investors, including RA Capital, Pfizer Ventures, M Ventures, Samsara BioCapital, and SV Health Investors.
4
Country: USA | Funding: $3.9B
Moderna is a pioneer in developing a new class of drugs based on messenger RNA (mRNA). This new drug platform is based on the discovery that in-vitro engeneered and injected mRNA can direct the body's cellular machinery to produce virtually any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely new protein constructs with therapeutic activity both inside and outside cells. In other words, mRNA can guide the body to produce its own drugs. Moderna used mRNA to create the first COVID-19 vaccine and is now applying this technology to create vaccines for infectious diseases (influenza, RSV, HSV, etc.), immuno-oncology (melanoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, etc.), rare diseases and autoimmune diseases.
Moderna is a pioneer in developing a new class of drugs based on messenger RNA (mRNA). This new drug platform is based on the discovery that in-vitro engeneered and injected mRNA can direct the body's cellular machinery to produce virtually any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely new protein constructs with therapeutic activity both inside and outside cells. In other words, mRNA can guide the body to produce its own drugs. Moderna used mRNA to create the first COVID-19 vaccine and is now applying this technology to create vaccines for infectious diseases (influenza, RSV, HSV, etc.), immuno-oncology (melanoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, etc.), rare diseases and autoimmune diseases.
5
Country: Germany | Funding: $2B
BioNTech is a global leader in mRNA-based immunotherapy. The company was the first to invent and commercialize a COVID-19 vaccine (in partnership with Pfizer). BioNTech is currently developing several personalized immunotherapeutic agents (vaccines) against cancer and infectious diseases, including melanoma, human papillomavirus, non-small cell lung cancer, tuberculosis and malaria. The company's flagship platform, FixVac, enables the creation of ready-to-use mRNA cancer vaccines that can be used off-shelf to a specific indication (fixed-dose vaccines). These vaccines are a fixed combination of unmutated tumor antigens encoded by mRNA, which are frequently expressed in certain types of cancer. The mRNA is delivered using a proprietary RNA-lipoplex delivery system, which is designed to enhance mRNA stability in the body and target antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs), the training grounds of our immune system.
BioNTech is a global leader in mRNA-based immunotherapy. The company was the first to invent and commercialize a COVID-19 vaccine (in partnership with Pfizer). BioNTech is currently developing several personalized immunotherapeutic agents (vaccines) against cancer and infectious diseases, including melanoma, human papillomavirus, non-small cell lung cancer, tuberculosis and malaria. The company's flagship platform, FixVac, enables the creation of ready-to-use mRNA cancer vaccines that can be used off-shelf to a specific indication (fixed-dose vaccines). These vaccines are a fixed combination of unmutated tumor antigens encoded by mRNA, which are frequently expressed in certain types of cancer. The mRNA is delivered using a proprietary RNA-lipoplex delivery system, which is designed to enhance mRNA stability in the body and target antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs), the training grounds of our immune system.
6
Country: USA | Funding: $1.6B
IOVANCE Biotherapeutics develops personalized autologous cellular immunotherapies using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). A patient's natural TILs are collected and grown outside the body and then administered to the patient in a single dose. Unlike targeted cell therapies, which act on general antigen targets, IOVANCE TILs are engineered to act on specific neoantigens unique to the patient or tumor. IOVANCE's T-cell-based immunotherapy platform has potential application across multiple solid tumor types. The company has two approved drugs for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and metastatic kidney cancer. The company is also conducting clinical trials for the treatment of cervical cancer, NSCLC, endometrial cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
IOVANCE Biotherapeutics develops personalized autologous cellular immunotherapies using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). A patient's natural TILs are collected and grown outside the body and then administered to the patient in a single dose. Unlike targeted cell therapies, which act on general antigen targets, IOVANCE TILs are engineered to act on specific neoantigens unique to the patient or tumor. IOVANCE's T-cell-based immunotherapy platform has potential application across multiple solid tumor types. The company has two approved drugs for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and metastatic kidney cancer. The company is also conducting clinical trials for the treatment of cervical cancer, NSCLC, endometrial cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
7
Country: France | Funding: $393.5M
Cellectis has developed genome editing technology TALEN, which enables it to create more affordable, ready-to-use allogeneic CAR T-cell therapies. Its technology offers protection against graft-versus-host disease, reduces the risk of rejection and improves safety by integrating a self-destruct mechanism. Using this technology, the company is developing a pipeline of several candidates against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, large B-cell lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Cellectis is also advancing PulseAgile technology, which uses electroporation (controlled electric fields) to deliver messenger RNA molecules into cells. It utilizes a unique electric field waveform, which, combined with a proprietary buffer solution, allows molecules such as nucleases to effectively penetrate cells while maintaining high cell viability.
Cellectis has developed genome editing technology TALEN, which enables it to create more affordable, ready-to-use allogeneic CAR T-cell therapies. Its technology offers protection against graft-versus-host disease, reduces the risk of rejection and improves safety by integrating a self-destruct mechanism. Using this technology, the company is developing a pipeline of several candidates against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, large B-cell lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Cellectis is also advancing PulseAgile technology, which uses electroporation (controlled electric fields) to deliver messenger RNA molecules into cells. It utilizes a unique electric field waveform, which, combined with a proprietary buffer solution, allows molecules such as nucleases to effectively penetrate cells while maintaining high cell viability.
8
Country: USA | Funding: $325M
Obsidian Therapeutics develops precision cell and gene therapies to expand the capabilities of adoptive cancer immunotherapy. The company has developed the cytoDRiVE platform, which leverages drug-responsive domains (DRDs) to control protein function using an FDA-approved small molecule, and is continually expands its library of identified DRDs of varying sizes and purposes. The company's lead drug, OBX-115, is an experimental therapy using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes genetically modified to produce a membrane-bound (non-secreted) cytokine (IL15). Obsidian is conducting a multicenter clinical trial for the treatment of advanced melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
Obsidian Therapeutics develops precision cell and gene therapies to expand the capabilities of adoptive cancer immunotherapy. The company has developed the cytoDRiVE platform, which leverages drug-responsive domains (DRDs) to control protein function using an FDA-approved small molecule, and is continually expands its library of identified DRDs of varying sizes and purposes. The company's lead drug, OBX-115, is an experimental therapy using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes genetically modified to produce a membrane-bound (non-secreted) cytokine (IL15). Obsidian is conducting a multicenter clinical trial for the treatment of advanced melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
9
Country: USA | Funding: $259.9M
DermTech is a global leader in molecular dermatology, implementing precision medicine methods in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases. The company developed DermTech test for the early detection of melanoma and personalized selection of drug therapy. This noninvasive genomic test uses DermTech Smart Stickers to evaluate questionable melanocytic lesions that meet one or more ABCDE criteria. It identifies genomic markers associated with melanoma to differentiate benign lesions from those at higher risk. The test has a negative predictive value of 99%, meaning that a negative test result indicates a 99% probability that the lesion is not melanoma.
DermTech is a global leader in molecular dermatology, implementing precision medicine methods in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases. The company developed DermTech test for the early detection of melanoma and personalized selection of drug therapy. This noninvasive genomic test uses DermTech Smart Stickers to evaluate questionable melanocytic lesions that meet one or more ABCDE criteria. It identifies genomic markers associated with melanoma to differentiate benign lesions from those at higher risk. The test has a negative predictive value of 99%, meaning that a negative test result indicates a 99% probability that the lesion is not melanoma.
10
Country: USA | Funding: $51.9M
DermaSensor is developing a handheld device for practitioners for detection of skin cancer risk. It is the first FDA-cleared AI-powered skin cancer diagnostic device that enables objective referral prioritization using a 0-10 cancer risk assessment scale. A total of five spectral data points are captured from each skin lesion. The DermaSensor algorithm analyzes the spectral data and provides a skin cancer risk assessment in seconds. The tip of the device reflects and records short bursts of light from the lesion's cellular and subcellular contents. The light is analyzed by a built-in computer, providing information that helps physicians evaluate skin lesions (including melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas) to determine referral.
DermaSensor is developing a handheld device for practitioners for detection of skin cancer risk. It is the first FDA-cleared AI-powered skin cancer diagnostic device that enables objective referral prioritization using a 0-10 cancer risk assessment scale. A total of five spectral data points are captured from each skin lesion. The DermaSensor algorithm analyzes the spectral data and provides a skin cancer risk assessment in seconds. The tip of the device reflects and records short bursts of light from the lesion's cellular and subcellular contents. The light is analyzed by a built-in computer, providing information that helps physicians evaluate skin lesions (including melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas) to determine referral.
11
Country: UK | Funding: $31M
Skin Analytics is developing a DERM (Deep Ensemble for the Recognition of Malignancy) - AI system for melanoma screening. The company partners with the NHS and supports dermatology teams by creating treatment plans for patients who use the system as a Class III, CE-marked medical device. Initial patient appointments take place in a diagnostic clinic, where consent is obtained, medical history is taken, context of the disease is assessed and dermoscopic images are obtained. DERM then evaluates the dermoscopic images of the lesions and, based on the results, directs the patient to the appropriate level of treatment or safely triages cancer pathways in the case of non-cancerous lesions.
Skin Analytics is developing a DERM (Deep Ensemble for the Recognition of Malignancy) - AI system for melanoma screening. The company partners with the NHS and supports dermatology teams by creating treatment plans for patients who use the system as a Class III, CE-marked medical device. Initial patient appointments take place in a diagnostic clinic, where consent is obtained, medical history is taken, context of the disease is assessed and dermoscopic images are obtained. DERM then evaluates the dermoscopic images of the lesions and, based on the results, directs the patient to the appropriate level of treatment or safely triages cancer pathways in the case of non-cancerous lesions.
12
Country: USA | Funding: $25M
Sensus Healthcare produces SRT - superficial radiation therapy devices for the non-invasive treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer and keloids. This is a compact and efficient device that delivers precise, painless, calibrated dose of proton beam therapy. It also offers additional features like high-frequency ultrasound for process visualization. SRT offers an alternative to surgical treatment of skin cancer, eliminating the need for incisions and reducing the risk of scarring. Unlike traditional surgery, SRT typically causes minimal discomfort during treatment (patients lie comfortably on a treatment table), allowing patients to undergo therapy with ease and return to their daily activities.
Sensus Healthcare produces SRT - superficial radiation therapy devices for the non-invasive treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer and keloids. This is a compact and efficient device that delivers precise, painless, calibrated dose of proton beam therapy. It also offers additional features like high-frequency ultrasound for process visualization. SRT offers an alternative to surgical treatment of skin cancer, eliminating the need for incisions and reducing the risk of scarring. Unlike traditional surgery, SRT typically causes minimal discomfort during treatment (patients lie comfortably on a treatment table), allowing patients to undergo therapy with ease and return to their daily activities.
13
Country: Netherlands | Funding: $16.5M
SkinVision is a mobile app that allows you to understand your risk factors for skin cancer and keep track of your moles.
SkinVision is a mobile app that allows you to understand your risk factors for skin cancer and keep track of your moles.
14
Country: USA | Funding: $3.4M
SkinIO is helping people prevent skin cancer by providing a service that allows them to regularly monitor their skin with the help of artificial intelligence and licensed dermatologists. Users can take photos with their smartphone of their skin and lesions, and upload them to a database through SkinIO’s app.
SkinIO is helping people prevent skin cancer by providing a service that allows them to regularly monitor their skin with the help of artificial intelligence and licensed dermatologists. Users can take photos with their smartphone of their skin and lesions, and upload them to a database through SkinIO’s app.
15
Country: Netherlands | Funding: €1M
Skinive's goal is to provide personalized advice and prevent dangerous skin diseases among people.
Skinive's goal is to provide personalized advice and prevent dangerous skin diseases among people.
16
Country: New Zealand | Funding: NZ$1.5M
Firstcheck has created an app through which users can snap a few pictures of a mole they are concerned about, choose a dermatologist or skin specialist to review their case, and receive feedback within three days.
Firstcheck has created an app through which users can snap a few pictures of a mole they are concerned about, choose a dermatologist or skin specialist to review their case, and receive feedback within three days.
17
Country: Singapore
NOTA mole tracker is a device&app for mapping and checking moles at home. Early diagnosis of skin cancer/melanoma with bioimpedance.
NOTA mole tracker is a device&app for mapping and checking moles at home. Early diagnosis of skin cancer/melanoma with bioimpedance.
