Biotechnology startup Mestastop Solutions bagged Rs.1.3 crore with plans of using the funds to scale its AI-based platform METSCAN which uses patient’s data samples to characterize cancer cells including their assay panels to understand the cell behavior. The funds will also be used to conduct proof-of-concept animal model studies to validate proof-of-concept for cancer medication discovery and repurposing.

Based in Bangalore, the biotechnology firm raised the funds in a seed funding round led by CIIE.CO.

Founded in 2018, the firm exclusively wants to turn out to be a 'metastasis specialist' by building a world-class R&D team that takes advantage of India's particular characteristics. The firm was founded by Dr. Arnab Roy Chowdhury and his wife, Dr. Debabani Roy Chowdhury,with the goal of revolutionizing cancer treatment.

90 percent of cancer-related deaths are caused by metastasis, a complex biological process. The global metastatic cancer therapy market is expected to be valued at $111.16 billion by 2027, according to the Emergen Research 2020 research. Mestastop is developing a cancer metastasis-focused platform that will employ wet lab biology and predictive analytics to detect and distinguish unique aspects of metastasis to apply them in drug development and patient therapy.

The firm is assembling a cross-functional team with expertise in discovery, diagnostics, and AI, backed by the state-of-the-art infrastructure found in India's premier bioscience incubators.

Currently, the firm is testing patient data samples as well as validating animal models. Aside from that, one international patent has been filed, and another provisional patent is in the works.

Mestastop has replicated metastatic biology in numerous ways, each representing a cell-based functional assay. In conclusion, these assays provide a biological model that will aid in the development of in vitro anti-metastasis drugs. The platform for colorectal and triple negative breast cancer is complete, and Mestastop is currently normalizing the colorectal platform with patient sample data.

"An evolutionary disease like cancer cannot be comprehensively tackled without attacking metastasis, a process that is complex and yet to be fully understood. We completed our first phase by effectively developing tools and platforms to decipher this biology, translating it with patient data, and then into animal models”, says Dr Arnab.

Dr.Arnab further says that, “we are now embarking on a larger journey to use these techniques for first-in-class metastatic drug development and predictive diagnostics, which will provide terminal cancer patients a second chance at life, further cementing India's reputation as one of the world's leading biotech innovation hubs.

To understand metastatic drug discovery and predictive diagnostics, Mestastop has developed three patented platforms namely METAssay, METSCAN, and METVivo. The company is now verifying its systems on a bigger sample of patient tumours to create intellectual property. Vistari Ventures and Mumbai Angels have both previously invested in the company.

"There are multiple startups focused on cancer diagnostics and drug research around the world. Mestastop is creating a path for itself by developing an AI-based platform to forecast metastasis using assay and genetically engineered cell-based techniques, and we're excited to join them on this path. We believe their platform will have a significant impact on cancer treatment in India and around the world”, expresses Chintan Antani, AVP, Seed Investments, CIIE.CO.