Valar Labs, startup leveraging artificial intelligence for cancer diagnostics, has closed $22 million Series A financing round. This infusion of capital, led by DCVC and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Bio + Health, with participation from Pear VC, aims to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced diagnostic solutions for cancer treatment.
The funding round follows the successful international validation of Valar Labs’ Computational Histology AI (CHAI) tests and the commercial launch of Vesta, the first AI-driven diagnostic test designed to predict patient responses to bladder cancer treatments. The recent breakthroughs at Valar Labs highlight the company’s commitment to transforming oncology through technology.
Valar Labs was established with the goal of mitigating uncertainty in cancer treatment decisions. Founders of Valar Labs have noted the challenges oncologists face daily in determining the most effective treatment pathways for cancer patients.
“Our CHAI technology leverages quantitative AI analysis of H&E stained tumor histology slides, enabling us to prognosticate outcomes and predict treatment responses,” they shared in a company blog post.
The newly launched Vesta test represents a significant advancement in the field. It was developed following a comprehensive study involving over a thousand patients across four continents. This test, which has been clinically offered for bladder cancer, can identify patients at risk of aggressive disease progression under standard treatment regimens, allowing for earlier, more effective interventions.
The significance of the Vesta test is underscored by the current nationwide shortage of BCG, a common treatment for bladder cancer. “Vesta’s predictive capabilities are invaluable, ensuring that each patient receives personalized, effective treatment,” commented Dr. Jay Shah, a urologist at Stanford Healthcare.
The Series A funding will enable Valar Labs to expand its diagnostic offerings beyond bladder cancer to other types, including pancreatic cancer. Vineeta Agarwala, MD, PhD, general partner at a16z Bio + Health, expressed enthusiasm for the potential impact of Valar’s technology.
“By integrating AI with existing histology images, we are ushering in a new era of precision oncology,” she stated.
With more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications and presentations at major oncology conferences, Valar Labs aims to revolutionize how oncologists approach treatment decisions.
The participation of esteemed venture capital firms and the addition of industry veterans like Agarwala and James Hardiman of DCVC to the board reflect a strong confidence in Valar Labs’ trajectory toward enhancing cancer care through innovative AI applications.