Top 8 Skin Cancer and Melanoma treatment startups in USA
Apr 03, 2026
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29
1
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.
2
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
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.
4
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.
5
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.
6
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.
7
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.
8
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.
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