Revolutionising Cancer Treatment: Pear Bio Secures $14M Series A Funding
May 15, 2023
Pear Bio, a pioneering techbio startup focused on enhancing the effectiveness of cancer drug treatments, has recently secured a significant investment of $14 million in a Series A funding round led by Octopus Ventures. This funding round also saw participation from Hoxton Ventures, Crista Galli Ventures, SOSV, Fly Ventures, and Compound Ventures.
This investment comes at a crucial time for Pear Bio and reflects the growing interest and support for innovative approaches in the field of oncology. With cancer being one of the most pressing health challenges globally, there is a pressing need for advancements in treatment discovery and development.
Pear Bio's core methodology involves breaking down tumor cells into micro-tumors comprising approximately 10,000 cells each. These micro-tumors serve as a crucial tool for assessing the efficacy of various cancer treatments and immunotherapies. By leveraging these micro-tumors alongside clinical data, Pear Bio develops predictive models that offer insights into how individual patients are likely to respond to treatment.
One of the key distinguishing factors of Pear Bio's approach is its inclusion of immune cells from the blood surrounding the tumors during testing. This comprehensive evaluation allows the company to assess not only the direct impact of treatments on the tumor but also their effects on the patient's immune response.
Founder Duleek Ranatunga emphasises the importance of this holistic approach, particularly in the context of complex cancer treatments involving combination therapies. By accurately replicating real-world conditions in testing, Pear Bio aims to address the challenges associated with treatment efficacy assessment.
The recent funding will enable Pear Bio to further advance its research and development efforts, including conducting clinical studies to predict patient responses to approved treatments. Additionally, the company plans to leverage laboratory and real-world clinical data to discover new therapies for cancer patients with high unmet needs.
Despite the inherent complexities involved in cancer treatment development, Pear Bio remains committed to its mission of improving patient outcomes and revolutionising the field of oncology. With its innovative computational biology platform and collaborative approach, Pear Bio is poised to make significant strides in the fight against cancer.
In a landscape where precision medicine is increasingly recognised as a game-changer, Pear Bio stands out for its dedication to personalized treatment approaches tailored to individual patient needs. The company's ability to combine cutting-edge technology with clinical expertise holds great promise for transforming cancer care and ultimately improving the lives of patients worldwide.