Valar Labs, a California-based TechMed startup that provides AI-powered computational histology AI (CHAI) tests designed to predict cancer therapies, has secured a $22M Series A funding to augment physicians’ capabilities.
The funding round was co-led by DCVC and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Bio + Health, with the participation from Pear VC. As part of the partnership, Vineeta Agarwala, MD, PhD, James Hardiman, General Partner at DCVC, and General Partner at a16z Bio + Health will join Valar Labs’ Board.
The financing announcement came on the heels of Valar Labs’ completion of an international, multi-institution validation study and the launch of Vesta, oncology’s first AI-powered diagnostics test that predicts patients’ response to first-line treatment of bladder cancer.
Valar’s Vesta leverages the power of AI to provide oncologists and patients with diagnostics that can inform critical decisions on treatment pathways that can be most effective depending on the patient’s case.
Valar Labs recently announced Vesta validation studies of CHAI biomarkers and subsequently presented its findings at the American Urological Association (AUA) 2024 Annual Meeting. The recent study demonstrated the biomarkers’ significant predictive ability for patients from all relevant demographics.
Vesta’s ability to predict response to BCG treatment demonstrates its significance, especially during the ongoing BCG shortage, as it can ensure patients receive personalized and effective treatment.