Inivata, a clinical cancer genomics company focused on harnessing the potential of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) analysis to improve cancer testing and treatment, today announced it has raised £4m in a funding round.
Inivata is the first life science investment for Cambridge Innovation Capital, an investor in high-growth technology companies in the Cambridge cluster.
Dr Nitzan Rosenfeld, Chief Scientific Officer for Inivata, says the funding will accelerate the development of a non-invasive ‘liquid biopsy’ that could be used to understand how the tumour is responding to treatment.
He says: “Tumours release tiny fragments of DNA, which can be detected in the blood. We are able to use advanced genomic techniques to extract more information about the cancer from this circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). This offers the potential for a new understanding of the biology of the tumour and its response to treatment.”
Inivata is focused on developing clinical applications of ctDNA through collaborations with clinical oncologists at prominent academic institutions, leading community treatment centres and innovative biopharmaceutical companies.
Novel applications of ctDNA are enabled by Inivata’s technology platform which includes its proprietary, enhanced TAm-Seq™ technology. TAm-Seq, which is licensed to Inivata from Cancer Research Technology and the University of Cambridge, allows the detection and analysis of genomic material from a cancer patient’s cell-free ctDNA collected through routinely accessible blood samples.
This non-invasive approach – a liquid biopsy – offers a revolution in how cancer is detected, monitored and treated. Inivata’s founders are recognised leaders in the clinical genomics and ctDNA fields having developed pioneering ctDNA and novel treatment approaches in Cancer Research UK-funded laboratories at the University of Cambridge. Inivata works with industry and academics to develop new clinical applications for ctDNA analysis which will bring real benefits to physicians, patients, pharmaceutical companies and payers. Inivata’s goal is to provide physicians with the information they need to provide the best outcomes for patients and effective design for clinical trials.
Michael Stocum, CEO of Inivata, said: “There is major focus on ctDNA analysis which promises the ability to improve monitoring and treatment of cancer based on information from routine blood samples. We are taking a collaborative approach to the development of clinical applications for ctDNA analysis which have the potential to transform how the disease is understood and treated.
“Nitzan Rosenfeld and his team are leaders in the field. I am excited to be working with our scientific founders, and with this significant fund raising secured we are now focused on working with pharmaceutical, clinical and academic partners to identify applications and rapidly realise the potential of the enhanced TAm-Seq approach.”
There is already a rapidly growing market for clinical genomics and Dr Robert Tansley, of Cambridge Innovation Capital (pictured) says that Inivata’s technology has huge potential.
“If you consider that in the UK over 330,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year, there is a large and urgent requirement for improved ways to detect, monitor and improve treatment. ctDNA is an emerging technology and offers the potential to meet this need, “ he says.
“The research by Dr Rosenfeld’s team is ground breaking and offers new options in cancer monitoring to better manage treatment response prediction. This investment will secure the development of this technology in Cambridge and facilitate its translation into the clinic for the benefit of patients.”
Keith Blundy, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Research Technology and Inivata board member, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in taking this promising technology developed by Cancer Research UK scientists to the next level. Developing technologies that allow clinicians to monitor how tumours respond to treatment non-invasively and in real-time forms a crucial part of Cancer Research UK’s commitment to deliver the promise of precision cancer medicine to patients.”
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