Written by George William Ssendagala, edited by Natasha Barrow and Caroline Babisz.
In the quest to revolutionise cancer diagnosis, BioMavericks emerged amidst the COVID-19 crisis, recognizing a crucial gap in advanced sequencing methods for cancer detection. Their groundbreaking in vitro diagnostic tool, fuelled by proprietary biomarkers, with a sensitivity and specificity of over 97% promises exceptional accuracy in detecting prevalent cancers. This innovative journey, now standing at Technology Readiness Level 6, foretells a transformative future envisioning not only redefining cancer diagnostics but also bridging the diagnostic-therapeutic gap. As they approach their inaugural financing round, BioMavericks' story is a testament to unwavering commitment and pioneering excellence in healthcare innovation.
In this article, Dr. Andrew Guo, a pioneering founder, takes us through what their journey has been like.
The Trailblazing Trio: Founders' Profiles
At the helm of BioMavericks are three brains with diverse yet complementary backgrounds: Cathy Gu, Karthik Subramanian, and Andrew Guo. Andrew holds a Ph.D. from the University of Hong Kong, specializing in biomedical research with a keen focus on the intersection of immunology and oncology. Karthik, equipped with a master's in bioinformatics from the University of Leicester, contributes his expertise in liquid biopsy. Cathy earned her Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in physics and possesses extensive proficiency in artificial intelligence (AI). Collectively these three bring a combined 31 years of experience in biomedical research, bioinformatics, and AI to drive BioMavericks forward. Offering their support are advisors from the biotech industry and clinical innovation spheres, guiding them as they navigate unexplored territories.
The Technology: Revolutionizing Cancer Diagnosis
Traditionally, diagnosing cancer relies on detecting specific biomarkers within the body. “However, our game-changing innovation revolves around an innovative in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tool, simplifying the process of diagnosing cancer”, Andrew said. “Think of it as akin to the PCR tests used for COVID-19 but tailored for cancer detection. We have engineered proprietary biomarkers that serve as the backbone of this breakthrough,’’ he added. This ground-breaking technology not only confirms the presence of prevalent cancers but does so with remarkable accuracy and precision.
“At BioMavericks, our approach harnesses the link between biological defense and cancer progression. By pinpointing unique transcripts correlated with cancer advancement, we identify and validate these biomarkers,’’ Andrew further stated. This culmination resulted in a prototype: a blood test functioning as a personalised diagnostic tool. While many biotech and med-tech companies offer IVD products boasting around 90% sensitivity and specificity, BioMavericks has achieved remarkable results through clinical trials using real-world samples. Their findings confirm a sensitivity and specificity of over 97%, positioning their technology as a nearly flawless solution.
Their journey toward this ground-breaking innovation commenced with an Innovate UK project, during which they initially developed their bioinformatics software. BioMavericks has successfully completed its proof of concept and is presently in the process of filing for intellectual property rights. Moreover, they have concluded laboratory studies to validate their findings and are currently testing the tangible IVD product in a laboratory setting in India.
Igniting Vision with Market Insights
“Initially, our focus centred on early cancer detection. However, engaging with healthcare professionals in India, a nation grappling with a developing healthcare system, led to a significant shift in our perspective,’’ Andrew stated. They came to recognize the pressing demand for rapid, cost-effective auxiliary cancer diagnostics. This realization prompted a re-evaluation of their value proposition, aligning their technology precisely with the needs of these evolving markets.
"Our initial client segment comprises hospital diagnosis centres seeking laboratory-developed test services to identify cancer cases," Andrew explained. Looking ahead, pharmaceutical companies could also find this biomarker solution indispensable. These biomarkers can serve as indicators for treatment outcomes, enabling ongoing monitoring of patients on specific treatments. This utilization could prevent unnecessary setbacks in clinical trials and significantly reduce R&D costs.
Therefore, beyond the current focus, BioMavericks intends to broaden its scope from cancer diagnosis by venturing into noncancerous diseases as a mid-term goal. In the long run, BioMavericks aspires to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies and license their Intellectual Property (IP) to them as this approach offers flexibility in their operations and aids in cost reduction. By licensing the IP, these companies gain access to valuable technology that enhances their capabilities and potentially revolutionizes their operational efficiencies.
Current Success and Future Prospects
Today, BioMavericks stands at a promising juncture. The developed product has demonstrated outstanding efficacy in real-world applications, marking a significant milestone. Their partnership with a cancer hospital in India serves not just as a testing ground but as a beacon of practicality and success. Looking forward, they are actively exploring opportunities in Saudi Arabia and other regions, with a vision to broaden their impact.
Expanding their biomarker panel from a single biomarker to more, leveraging machine intelligence, has enabled the classification and differentiation between healthy profiles and potential cancer cases. This advancement allows for not only the identification of cancer but also the potential categorization into specific types of cancers, significantly enhancing diagnostic precision and effectiveness.
BioMavericks primary focus lies in addressing pancreatic cancer, the seventh cause of cancer-related deaths globally (1). "Annually, more than 500,000 patients receive a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, with over 90% diagnosed at a late stage,’’ Andrew emphasized. Addressing this challenge with a product boasting remarkable specificity and sensitivity not only sheds light on its present status but also paves the way for its potential application in tackling other prevalent cancers like breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and more.
Challenges: Navigating Career, Aspirations, and Hurdles
Andrew reflects on his journey as a junior researcher, highlighting the challenges of balancing his career and long-term aspirations, especially amidst commercial and technical hurdles. He recalls the difficulties in pivoting from his academic work to creating a distinct idea without infringing on university IP, essentially starting from scratch.
Navigating these challenges was not a solitary effort. BioMavericks received invaluable support from various organizations, including the Cambridge Judge Business School Accelerator program and Innovate UK. However, as the company recognized its potential, the need for more resources became apparent. For instance, despite being registered in the UK, the decision to conduct clinical trials in India stemmed from resource limitations. Andrew acknowledges this as a potential blessing, remarking, "Running our pilot study in India adds confidence, considering our initial datasets were from EU, UK, and US cohorts."
Throughout this journey, resilience remains the key focus amid hurdles and limitations. Andrew and the team are committed to overcoming obstacles and leveraging every opportunity to ensure BioMavericks' success.
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