The startup develops specialized mouse models by implanting human tumor specimens into immunodeficient mice, creating a living representation of individual cancers. This approach enables oncologists to tailor and optimize treatment strategies for patients with aggressive cancer types.
Funding
$46.2M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
IVFounders
Product
Problem
The high failure rate of oncology drugs in clinical trials is often attributed to the translational gap between preclinical studies and clinical outcomes. Existing preclinical models may not accurately represent the complexity and heterogeneity of human cancers, leading to inaccurate predictions of drug efficacy. The scarcity of well-characterized cancer models and the lack of reliable model characterization data further exacerbate this issue.
Solution
Certis Oncology Intelligence addresses these challenges by combining advanced preclinical models with predictive AI to provide compelling evidence of therapeutic efficacy. The company develops specialized patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models by implanting human tumor specimens into immunodeficient mice, creating a living representation of individual cancers. These models are highly characterized and annotated, offering researchers detailed genomic profiles, gene expression data, and patient/tumor characteristics. Certis also offers CertisAI™, a patented AI/ML platform that predicts therapeutic efficacy by identifying complex gene expression signatures correlated with drug response. This platform enables researchers to select optimal cancer models, identify predictive biomarkers, and gain insights into drug mechanisms of action.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes drug developers and cancer researchers seeking more clinically relevant and predictive preclinical models for oncology drug discovery and development, as well as oncologists seeking personalized treatment strategies.
Features
- BarneyOI Cancer Model Database: A searchable database providing access to a growing collection of richly annotated in vivo and in vitro models covering various cancer types.
- Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Models: Low-passage, North American-sourced, patient-consented tumor models that closely mimic human tumor biology.
- CertisAI™: A validated AI/ML platform that predicts therapeutic efficacy by identifying gene expression signatures correlated with drug response.
- Custom Model Development: Development of customized in vitro and in vivo models to address specific clinical scenarios, including prior treatment, radiotherapy, and acquired drug resistance.
- Orthotopic PDX Models: Orthotopic engraftment using novel surgical techniques and sophisticated animal husbandry protocols to optimize cohort viability.
- Comprehensive Characterization Data: Detailed genomic profiles, gene expression data, and patient/tumor characteristics for each model.
- In Vitro/Ex Vivo Pharmacology: Services for in vitro and ex vivo pharmacology studies.
- In Vivo Pharmacology: In vivo pharmacology services.
- Imaging/Endpoint Analysis: Imaging and endpoint analysis services.
- Immuno-Oncology: Services for immuno-oncology studies.