MeCo Diagnostics

Venture-backed startup developing first-in-class predictive biomarker tests to harness high-efficacy, low-toxicity antifibrotic drugs to prevent cancer progression. MeCo Diagnostics traces its origins to the oldest observation in cancer biology: tumors often grow stiffer than surrounding tissue, leading to a palpable lump, which is the most common indicator of disease. Not all cancer cells are responsive to increased stiffness of their microenvironment, but those that are become “mechanically conditioned,” akin to deadly, microscopic wind-up machines that are destined to wreak havoc as they spread throughout the body. Mechanical conditioning as a problem dictates mechanical deconditioning as a solution; fortunately, there are FDA-approved antifibrotic drugs which can be repurposed for this need. This serendipity has empowered us to develop a commercially viable, biomarker-enabled drug repurposing approach that synergizes with conventional neoadjuvant treatment. Our lead asset, the MeCo Score, has been rigorously validated in 4 independent clinical studies of breast cancer comprised of over 4000 patients total, in partnership with oncologists at Cleveland Clinic, the University of Arizona, and the Spanish National Cancer Research Center. Ultimately, we aim to reduce breast and prostate cancer burden in patients before surgery, leading to higher rates of lifelong remission. Since the MeCo Score matches patients to a generic-emergent drug, the cost of targeted antifibrotic therapy will soon be >10X cheaper than any other targeted therapy for breast or prostate cancer in development. Patients will benefit from reduced co-insurance costs, while payers will benefit from reduced expenditures. It’s a win-win for healthcare stakeholders. For more information on our team, our research, or our current fundraising round, please reach out.