Featured Startup

Company Name:	Matrix Bio, Inc.
Founder:	Daniel Raftery 765.494.6070 raftery@purdue.edu
Industry:	Health Care: Esoteric Testing
Technology:	MetaPro-BC Test Based on patent-pending Metabolite Profiling technology, this test is used to quickly, accurately, and reliably diagnose early-stage cancer using molecule metabolite biomarkers. The test, which relies on blood serum and urine samples rather than tissue biopsies, also can be used to detect the reoccurrence of cancer and monitor the effects of drug therapy. It has applications for a number of important cancers.
Market Needs Met:	When cancer is detected early, the patient has more treatment options and survival rates are much higher. However, traditional diagnostic tests and methods are not always accurate, resulting in false positives and unnecessary, costly biopsies. Metabolite profiling is part of a growing, lucrative, high-end testing market that includes diabetes, heart disease, and now cancer. The MetaPro-XC test analyzes multiple small molecule metabolite biomarkers for changes that indicate cancer is present, resulting in a higher degree of accuracy and sensitivity than available diagnostic tests. Measuring metabolic changes allows for the reliable detection of early stage cancer, giving patients more therapy options and a greater chance of a positive outcome. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, MetaPro-XC can be used to monitor the effects of therapy and the recurrence of cancer, if any. Analysis time is less than 10 minutes per sample, and patients get results quickly avoiding the stress of a long waiting period. There is no biopsy so there is no pain associated with the test.
Market Potential:	MetaPro-XC has the potential to displace a sizable fraction of the $20 billion cancer detection industry. The immediately serviceable market is at least $2.2 billion annually, based on the excess cost of negative biopsies.
Investment Opportunity:	MatrixBio can generate sizable returns to the investor with revenue in year one using a rapid local, regional and national market penetration strategy. Seed Round investment has been closed, which allowed it to validate its set of cancer biomarkers. It is now seeking Series A Round funding to perform its final cancer clinical trial, set up the CLIA laboratory, and sell its first 10,000 tests. Follow-on funding will speed market penetration, allow the development of additional cancer tests, and triple the valuation.