Cancer is classified as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The National Cancer Institute They reported nearly 20 million new cases of cancer and 9.7 million cancer -related deaths worldwide in 2022, with projections showing an increase of 29.9 million new cases by 2040.
RattlesnakeOvercoming Nagoya University in Japan in 2018, it uses microRNA (Mirna) to develop a Cancer detection software that is powered by AI and has raised $ 22 million in funding for C series to expand further into the US market and boost R&D.
Ryuichi Onose, co -founder and CEO of Craif, told TechCrunch in an interview that the company completed the C series funding with a $ 100 million valuation.
X & kskAn existing investor has led the latest funding, which brings all of it increased to $ 57 million to date, along with the American investor irrational team, its first investment in Japanese startup, Tauns Laboratories, Daiwa House Industry and Aozora Bank Group.
Craif’s journey began when Oonose saw how deeply Cancer influenced his family, with the two grandparents being diagnosed with the disease. These personal experiences have inspired a strong commitment to tackle the problem of cancer. Onose and Takao Yasui, Associate Professor at Nagoya University, he founded Craif just a month after meeting them. Yasui created a new method for detecting early cancer using urine biomarkers.
Timely detection of a therapeutic condition can be provocative, as traditional diagnostic methods such as blood tests can be invasive, causing some people to avoid regular examination, Onose said. In addition, limited access to medical facilities in some areas makes the challenge for individuals to easily receive cancer tests, according to Onose.
Craif aims to treat these gaps by providing a non -invasive urine -based test that allows for premature detection of cancer, even at a very early stage, as in Stage 1.
“The test can be carried out by the comfort of a patient’s home and is powered by advanced Microorn resolution, making early detection more affordable and effective,” Onose said. “Our users are people with health consciousness worried about cancer, but they find it difficult to commit to conventional projections due to time limitations, costs and accessibility.”
Several newly established businesses create platforms for premature cancer detection in the industry, such as Grail, Freenome, Delfi Diagnostics and Clearnote Health.
Craif differentiates using microrna as a biomarker instead of CFDNA (DNA without cells) such as most competitors and urine use.
‘Mirna, which has gained increased recognition after being connected to the 2024 Nobel PrizeHe is known for his deep involvement in cancer biology even in the early stages, “Onose explained.
Another unique aspect of its product is the use of urine. Onose said the urine is easy and non -invasive, providing many scientific and practical benefits. It has fewer impurities than other samples, making the biomarker signifies clearer, he added. This helps to reduce measurement errors, such as those from blood hemolysis and saves money on tests.
Craif’s first product, Misignal, a test that detects the risk of seven different cancers (pancreatic, colon, lung, stomach, esophagus, ovarian) using urinary tract mirna, already generates revenue in Japan. The products are distributed through clinics, pharmacies, sales directly from consumers and corporate well -being programs, providing a variety of sources of revenue that can be expanded, according to the company’s chief executive.
“We are partnering with over 1000 medical institutions and about 600 pharmacies in Japan, serving about 20,000 users. Our team consists of 73 dedicated employees,” Onose told TechCrunch.
The revenue model offers both uniform tests and regular testing packages, with many users choosing subscription plans. It has published $ 5 million revenue in 2024 and aims to generate $ 15 million by the end of this year, Onose told TechCrunch.
Craif intends to broaden the scope of abuse to include ten different types of cancers this year. In addition, the start is preparing to use its technology to detect non -cancerous diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia.
Craif has the R&D lab in Irvine, California and plans to open another office in San Diego to handle his business.
The new funding will help boot enter the US market with the microRNA -based detection test, with the aim of completing tests in the US around 2029 and the FDA approval file.
It has already begun collecting samples of pancreatic cancer in collaboration with 30 medical institutions in 15 US states.
This story was informed to clarify its plans for tests in the US
