OncoBarrier: bringing evolutionary medicine to diagnose, and prevent
Invasive Endometrial Pathologies (IEPs): Endometriosis, Accreta & Endometrial Cancers.
A transformative approach inspired by the unique evolutionary history of human females to
prognosticate, and cure IEPs..
Evolutionary Medicine
Why do women suffer from so many invasive pathologies associated with the endometrium? Our
decade of research has shown that it is due to the unique evolutionary changes in humans to (i)
sustain deeply invasive placenta, and (ii) menstruation.
In order to evolve to what we are as a species, the endometrium has to accommodate
finely tuned placental invasion during pregnancy, and a repeated shedding/wound
response during menstruation without permanent scarring. These evolutionary
adaptations make humans particularly vulnerable to IEPs such as endometriosis,
accreta, invasive endometrial cancers.
The cure may also lie in evolutionary medicine.
OncoBarrier is a one-of-its kind, revolutionary approach to (i) prognosticate, and (ii) prevent Invasive Endometrial Pathologies (IEPs) ailing millions of women worldwide withno cure.
We were inspired by understanding how certain mammals naturally prevent invasion into the endometrium, as well as the unique evolutionary path of menstruation in humans. OncoBarrier recreates what nature has perfected over millions of years. In cows and horses, endometrium is impregnable. It has some positive effects beyond the endometrium too! When cows get cancer, it stays in its primary location, and the animal does not suffer or die.
AI based Prognostics of IEPs
Predicting how vulnerable are you to IEPs?
Based on the unique evolutionary history of human endometrium, we have identified key genes which cause invasive endometrial pathologies. OncoBarrier is developing a local, autologous cell/gene therapy to prevent spread of IEPs, when diagnosed. Isolated cells from patients will be genetically edited ex-vivo, and engrafted locally at the site of primary IEP lesions. IEPs will be totally confined to their initial location, preventing further spread of IEPs.
Localized Cell Therapy to Cure IEPs
Isolated cells from patients will be genetically edited ex-vivo, and engrafted locally at the site of primary IEP lesions. IEPs will be totally confined to their initial location, preventing further spread of IEPs.
Technology
Even after chemotherapy or radiotherapy, residual cancer cells can remain, causing cancer recurrence — the major cause of fatality. Our technology uses patient’s own fibroblasts to transform them to prevent escape of cancer cells. Fibroblasts will be isolated from skin biopsy, genetically edited, and put back into the patient. The transformed fibroblasts will completely confine cancer spread, and localize its growth.
Pipeline
Our flagship product builds on both basic research and empirical evidence from patient samples and data. We’re gearing forward with safety and efficacy data to an Investigational Drug licensing.
People
Kshitiz, Ph.D., Founder
Cancer Biology, Machine Learning, Evolution
Previous: CTO, Cardiac Mimetics Ass Res Scientist, Yale University PhD, BME, Johns Hopkins Medicine B.Tech., Computer Science, IIT Bombay
GÜnter Wagner, co-Founder
Evolutionary Medicine
Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Yale Hagler Fellow, Texas A&M University; Fellow, University of Vienna, Austria Member, National Academy of Sciences, USA
Yasir Suhail, co-Founder
Artificial Intelligence & Bioinformatics
Previous: Postdoc, Yale University PhD, BME, Johns Hopkins Medicine B.Tech., EE, IIT Delhi
AI Powered Stratification
Genetics cannot explain everything about cancer malignancy. Huge variability exists between patients in their susceptibility to cancer metastasis.
For breast cancer, for example, obesity is a big risk factor as well as metabolic syndrome. OncoBarrier has developed an AI powered stratification based on evolution of vulnerability to cancer malignancy.
Publications
Media
