Predicta Biosciences Raises $23.4M Series A to Advance Non-Invasive Diagnostics for Multiple Myeloma and Blood Cancers
核心洞察
Predicta Biosciences (搜索) secured an oversubscribed $23.4 million Series A funding round led by Engine Ventures (搜索) to expand its diagnostic platform for blood cancers and autoimmune diseases.
The company appointed Brian McKernan, a three-time biotech founder and former CEO of Fluent BioSciences, as its new CEO to drive commercialization efforts.
Predicta launched GenoPredicta (搜索), its first Laboratory Developed Test that uses peripheral blood or bone marrow to molecularly diagnose multiple myeloma and guide therapeutic decisions.
Predicta Biosciences (搜索), a precision oncology company developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic discovery solutions, has closed an oversubscribed $23.4 million Series A funding round led by Engine Ventures (搜索). The funding will accelerate commercialization of the company's first diagnostic test and support development of additional non-invasive solutions for blood cancers and autoimmune diseases.
Additional participating investors include Illumina Ventures (搜索), Lightchain Capital, Mass General Brigham Ventures, ACS BrightEdge, Binney Street Capital of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Myeloma Solutions Fund. The capital will be used to expand Predicta's team and CLIA-approved lab infrastructure while advancing commercialization of GenoPredicta (搜索), the company's first test.
New Leadership Appointment
Concurrent with the funding announcement, Predicta appointed Brian McKernan as CEO. McKernan brings extensive experience as a three-time biotech founder and experienced CEO, having most recently served as CEO at Fluent BioSciences, which was acquired by Illumina last year. Several of his companies were significant contributors to the NHGRI's Human Genome Project and key participants in the global effort to curate gene mutation associations for neurological disease conditions.
"It's an honor to join Predicta and our strong team of leading oncologists, scientists and proven operators using leading-edge genomics to help patients on a diagnostic and therapeutic basis today," said McKernan. "Predicta is already allowing clinicians to better understand and predict multiple myeloma patients' conditions, and how they might respond to different treatment options."
McKernan previously served as Chairman of the Board of the Analytical Life Sciences and Diagnostic Association and holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School.
Addressing Critical Diagnostic Gaps
The company's mission addresses significant limitations in the diagnosis and prognosis of common blood cancers and autoimmune diseases. For blood cancers with no cure, including multiple myeloma, accurate and sensitive testing options for early detection have remained out of reach.
Dr. Irene Ghobrial, co-founder of Predicta, emphasized the urgent clinical need: "In the era of precision therapeutics, there is an urgent need for equally precise diagnostics in multiple myeloma and other blood cancers. While many patients are now receiving advanced immunotherapies such as CAR-T cells and bispecific antibodies, clinicians often lack critical insights into the mutation or deletion status of key targets like BCMA (搜索) or GPRC5D (搜索) before initiating treatment."
GenoPredicta Launch and Clinical Impact
In April, Predicta launched its first Laboratory Developed Test (LDT): GenoPredicta (搜索), which can use either peripheral blood or bone marrow and can be ordered by physicians to molecularly diagnose individuals who have or are at risk for multiple myeloma and inform therapeutic management. The test is designed to help physicians identify patients unlikely to respond to certain treatments, avoid unnecessary toxicity, and ensure therapies are directed where they will have the greatest impact.
Predicta is already collaborating closely with leading providers and patient advocacy groups, including the HealthTree Foundation, to bring its innovations into clinical practice.
Future Expansion Plans
McKernan outlined the company's broader vision beyond diagnostics: "Ultimately, Predicta's goal is to expand beyond diagnostics, and this funding will accelerate our path to bringing new precision therapeutics to market by leveraging our one-of-a-kind genomic and immune profiling data."
Ann DeWitt, General Partner at Engine Ventures (搜索) and Predicta Board member, highlighted the company's unique position: "Predicta stands out among early-stage biotech companies because of its immediate clinical impact and its enormous future potential. With Brian McKernan's deep experience in commercializing scientific innovation—combined with the founding team's world-class clinical, genomic, and analytical expertise, we're entering a new phase of growth to meet the urgent unmet needs of patients living with blood cancers and autoimmune conditions."