A New Approach to Cancer Research
Rather than solely focusing on data about cancer deaths, the founders of Cure51 had a different idea. They wanted to assemble data about long-term survivors of cancer, with the ultimate goal of cracking the code on what keeps people alive.
The Company’s Vision
Cure51 was founded in March 2022 by Nicolas Wolikow and Simon Istolainen. Wolikow previously founded healthtech startup Qare, while Istolainen has a background as an investor and consultant in healthcare.
"We’re not just looking at cancer data," said Wolikow. "We’re assembling a cohort of long-term survivors to understand why certain patients survive for so long, even with highly aggressive forms of the disease."
A Unique Approach
According to Wolikow, most companies that license oncology databases don’t include survivors in their datasets. They also lack the granularity of multi-omics data (single cell and spatial) and ethnic diversity.
"Companies like Flat Iron (Roche), Market Scan (IBM), and Iqvia offer simple databases with clinical data and sparse genomic data," explained Wolikow. "But for drug discovery, molecular databases at multi-omics levels are required."
Sofinnova Partners Leads the Seed Round
The company has now raised a €15 million seed round led by Paris-based Sofinnova Partners. Other investors in the round include Hitachi Ventures GmbH, Life Extension Ventures, Xavier Niel, and Olivier Pomel, CEO and co-founder of Datadog.
Simon Turner, a partner at Sofinnova Partners, commented: "Looking at ‘mechanisms of exceptional survival’ is not a new concept, but Cure51 has taken this to a whole new level in terms of the scale of the endeavor, plus leveraging the latest in analytical techniques."
The Tech Industry’s Growing Focus on Cancer
The tech industry has increasingly turned its attention to cancer research in recent years. Alphabet recently announced several initiatives to deploy AI models in the healthcare industry, including a tool that will help Fitbit users gain insights from their devices and a partnership to improve screenings for cancer and disease in India.
What’s Next for Cure51?
With the funding, Cure51 plans to build a large-scale data cohort to identify patterns and factors contributing to long-term survival. By understanding these mechanisms, researchers hope to develop more effective treatments for cancer patients.
About Cure51
Cure51 is a biotech startup that aims to revolutionize cancer research by focusing on long-term survivors of the disease. With its unique approach and commitment to leveraging the latest analytical techniques, the company has the potential to make significant contributions to our understanding of cancer biology and the development of new treatments.
Related Topics
- Biotech & Health: Cure51’s innovative approach to cancer research is part of a growing trend in biotech startups that are applying cutting-edge technologies to address some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges.
- Cancer Research: The company’s focus on long-term survivors of cancer highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying exceptional survival, which could lead to new insights and treatments for patients with aggressive forms of the disease.
- Fundraising: Cure51’s €15 million seed round is a significant milestone in the startup’s journey, demonstrating its potential as a leader in the biotech industry.
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