Bengaluru-based Biotechnology startup Mestastop Solutions Pvt. Ltd has raised Rs 1.3 Crores in series seed round funding led by CIIE.CO in participation from IKP Knowledge Park and Angels.
The startup plans to use the fresh funding to scale its AI-based platform METSCAN, which characterizes cancer cells using patient data samples and their assay panels to understand the cell behavior. It will further be utilized for running PoC animal model studies to validate proof of concept for Cancer drug discovery and repurposing.
Speaking on the announcement, Dr. Arnab Roy Chowdhury, Founder & CEO of Mestastop said, “An evolutionary disease like cancer cannot be holistically targeted without targeting metastasis, a process that is complex and is yet to be fully understood. We have successfully created tools and platforms to decipher this biology, translated it with patient data, and then into animal models completing our first phase.”
“Now we endeavor on the bigger journey of using these tools for first-in-class metastasis drug discovery and predictive diagnostics, that will give terminal cancer patients a second shot at life, further reinforcing India’s image as one of the pioneering innovation hubs in the Biotech world,” Chowdhury added.
Currently, the company has initiated testing patient data samples as well as animal model validation. In addition to this, one international patent has been filed and another provisional patent is currently being drafted.
Commenting on the funding, Chintan Antani, AVP at CIIE.CO said, “Globally, several startups are focusing on cancer diagnostics and drug discovery. Mestastop is creating a niche for itself using assay and genetically engineered cell-based approaches to develop an AI-based platform to predict metastasis and we are delighted to partner with them on this journey. We believe that their platform will play an instrumental role in changing cancer treatment in India and the world around.”