Freenome Raises $254 Million in New Funding to Accelerate its Platform for Early Cancer Detection
- Freenome secures $254 million in funding to advance cancer detection tests.
- Roche leads the financing round alongside existing and new investors.
- Funds will support the development of early cancer detection tests and expand platform capabilities.
- Investors include Roche, a16z Life Sciences Growth Fund, and Quest Diagnostics (DGX).
- Freenome aims to transform personalized healthcare with multiomics platform technology.
- None.
Insights
The recent financing received by Freenome signifies a pivotal advancement in the field of oncology, particularly in the realm of early cancer detection. Utilizing a multiomics approach, which integrates various biological data types, Freenome aims to enhance the precision of cancer screening tests. This is crucial because early detection is often associated with improved survival rates and can significantly reduce the burden of treatment on patients. The funds will likely accelerate the clinical programs for colorectal and lung cancer, two of the most prevalent and lethal forms of cancer. These efforts align with the broader goal of personalized medicine, tailoring healthcare to individual patient characteristics and potentially leading to more effective interventions.
Freenome's multiomics platform represents a cutting-edge approach in the field of diagnostic medicine. By combining computational biology and machine learning, the platform analyzes a vast array of biological data to identify cancer at its earliest stages. The investment in such technology by prominent entities like Roche and Quest Diagnostics underscores the potential impact of Freenome's research on the medical diagnostics industry. The ongoing PREEMPT CRC and PROACT LUNG studies are significant as they are designed to be large-scale, prospective clinical trials that could provide the robust data necessary to validate the efficacy of Freenome's tests. If successful, these tests could disrupt the current cancer screening market by providing a non-invasive, potentially more accessible option for early detection.
The substantial funding round for Freenome indicates investor confidence in the growth potential of the early cancer detection market. As healthcare trends shift towards preventive measures and personalized treatment, technologies like Freenome's are well-positioned to capture significant market share. The involvement of diverse investors, including venture capital firms and industry giants like Roche, suggests a strong belief in the commercial viability of Freenome's technology. The successful development and regulatory approval of Freenome's tests could lead to partnerships with healthcare providers and insurers, further driving growth. Moreover, the expansion of Freenome's platform capabilities could attract additional biopharma collaborations, expanding its market reach and potentially providing a competitive edge in the liquid biopsy space.
– Roche led the financing alongside existing and new investors –
– The funds will progress clinical programs and expand platform capabilities –
Roche led the financing, joined by a16z Life Sciences Growth Fund, the American Cancer Society's BrightEdge Ventures, ARK Investments, ArrowMark Partners, Artis Ventures, Bain Capital Life Sciences, Cormorant Capital, DCVC, Eventide Asset Management LLC, Intermountain Ventures, Perceptive Advisors, Polaris Partners, Pura Vida Investments, Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), RA Capital Management, Sands Capital, Section 32, Squarepoint Capital, with funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., and others.
"We are grateful for the support and confidence of our investors. Together, we share a commitment to addressing the pressing need for better cancer screening solutions as we drive to make early cancer detection more convenient, accessible and actionable for everyone," said Mike Nolan, chief executive officer of Freenome. "With this financing, we are well positioned to realize the full potential of our platform in delivering tests for early cancer detection."
"We are excited by Freenome's journey over the last few years, and we look forward to expanding our collaboration. Enabling wider access to early cancer screening means helping patients receive timely information that can lead to better outcomes. Freenome's groundbreaking blood-based screening and data-driven insights offer incredible potential to transform personalized healthcare," adds Matt Sause, chief executive officer of Roche Diagnostics.
Many lives are lost to cancer, in part because the disease is often detected late. Freenome is leveraging its multiomics platform, which uses computational biology, machine learning and other technologies to develop screening tools to detect cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. The platform is also being evaluated alongside Freenome's biopharma and diagnostic company partners to non-invasively detect minimal residual disease (MRD) augmented with biological insights derived from the multiomics platform.
"We look forward to collaborating with Freenome to advance the potential of their breakthrough multiomics technology for multi-cancer screening, building on our other initiatives to advance liquid biopsy innovations in cancer screening and minimal residual disease testing," said Mark A. Gardner, senior vice president, molecular genomics and oncology, of Quest Diagnostics.
Freenome's initial programs are focused on deadly and actionable cancers – colorectal and lung with a pipeline of single-cancer and multi-cancer tests under development. The company has two registrational studies underway:
- PREEMPT CRC: A >40,000-participant prospective clinical study with comprehensive longitudinal real-world data (RWD) evaluating Freenome's blood-based screening test among adults at average risk for colorectal cancer (CRC).
- PROACT LUNG: A prospective observational clinical study enrolling up to 20,000 participants. The study is intended to validate Freenome's lung screening test in current and former smokers 50 years and older who are eligible for screening with an LDCT scan.
Freenome is also developing tests to screen for other cancers as part of its multi-cancer research programs, including the Vallania Study and others. Combined, the multi-cancer studies will involve >10,000 participants with paired RWD.
- The Vallania Study: A multicenter, multi-cancer research program with more than 6,200 participants enrolled, including risk-matched control participants to reflect intended use populations. The study will compare blood samples from both cancer and non-cancer individuals to understand patterns associated with lung and other priority cancers.
About Freenome
Freenome is breaking barriers to early cancer detection with a suite of blood tests built on its multiomics platform. The company recognizes that no single technology can identify every cancer due to the inherent heterogeneity of the disease. Freenome's multimodal approach combines molecular biology and assays with computational biology, machine learning and multiple data types to tune into cancer's subtlest cues, even at the earliest stages of disease.
With the convenience of a standard blood draw, Freenome aims to empower everyone to access recommended cancer screenings. The company is partnering with healthcare organizations and population health decision-makers to integrate its technology and software platform, making cancer detection easier and more accessible. Freenome is headquartered in
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SOURCE Freenome Holdings, Inc.
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