AOA Dx secures $17M for early ovarian cancer diagnosis

Biotech startup AOA Dx announced its $17 million round to assist in opening new lab facilities and expanding their ovarian cancer prospective clinical trial (OVERT). In addition, the startup will use the new funding further to develop the GlycoLocate™ platform in various new cancer areas.

Good Growth Capital led the round with participation from leading investors, including RH Capital, Y Combinator, Astia Fund, Adaptive Capital Partners, Gore Range Capital, LongeVC, The Helm, VU Venture Partners, and FemHealth Ventures. The round also saw participation from strategic diagnostic investors, including Labcorp Venture Fund. AOA Dx has raised a total of $24 million for its development of the first early-detection test for ovarian cancer.

Amy Salzhauer, Founder and Managing Partner of Good Growth Capital, said in a statement:

“AOA Dx is at the forefront of innovating the field of glycolipids through the utilization of tumor marker gangliosides, the next class of biomarkers in early cancer detection. With an initial focus on ovarian cancer, their pioneering platform technology, GlycoLocate™, will harness novel biomarkers through the power of data science, offering significant improvements in early detection of cancer. We are proud to support and invest in AOA Dx as they reach this important milestone for early detection of ovarian cancer. We believe this company is going to make a real impact on healthcare.”

Detecting ovarian cancer early is crucial for enhancing survival rates and enabling healthcare providers to make well-informed decisions regarding patient health. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, underscoring the urgency of early detection efforts.

Up to 80% of women aren’t even diagnosed until Stage III or IV despite 94% exhibiting symptoms at earlier stages. When identified late, only 28% survive, and recurrence is common. Medical professionals can implement timely interventions by identifying the disease at its initial stages. This will increase the chances of successful treatment outcomes and ultimately save lives.

CEO and Co-Founder of AOA Dx Oriana Papin-Zoghbi said in a statement:

“The ovarian cancer survival rates are unacceptable. We need to do better for women by developing solutions that are not just marginally better, but exponentially better. AOA Dx is proud to join the forefront of the fight against ovarian cancer deaths. Together we can improve the diagnostic pathway for ovarian cancer patients, and prove the diagnostic capabilities of tumor marker gangliosides as the next frontier in early cancer detection.”