Oncology
7 Early-Stage Oncology Startups Taking Different Approaches to Cancer Care
DealBio tracks early-stage oncology startups across Europe and North America. These seven address cancer care through targeted treatments, therapeutic delivery, tumour-environment technology, blood-based screening, pathology and decisions during surgery.
- Biotech
- Medtech
- Diagnostics
- Drug Delivery
- Medical Imaging
Oncology innovation is often discussed in terms of new medicines. Yet the effectiveness and availability of cancer care also depend on detecting disease, getting therapies to the right cells, assessing tissue accurately and acting on clinical information at the right moment.
The seven startups work across different parts of oncology, from molecular targeting and therapeutic delivery to cancer screening and decisions made in the operating room. Their approaches highlight how advances in biology, imaging and clinical software can contribute to more precise and accessible cancer care.
At a Glance
- 3C TherapeuticsCanada2025Targeted protein degradation
- AIGA TherapeuticsCanada2023Targeted alpha radiotherapy
- FOSCA BioTechFrance2024Tumour microenvironment device
- ExosirisFrance2025In-body therapeutic delivery
- CybernaFrance2023RNA-based cancer screening
- 3SonicDenmark2025Intraoperative margin imaging
- AiscopiaSpain2026Digital pathology workflow
Developing antibody-delivered protein degraders to treat cancer
- Country
Canada- Founded
- 2025
- Sector
- Biotech
- Funding stage
- Seed or earlier
Why 3C Therapeutics stands out
3C Therapeutics is attempting to make protein degradation more selective. Some cancer-driving proteins are difficult to block using conventional small molecules; degrading the protein itself creates a different therapeutic strategy. A key challenge is getting the degrader into the intended cells without broad exposure.
The startup licensed degrader–antibody conjugate technology jointly developed by the University of British Columbia and iProgen in June 2025, providing a defined technology-transfer foundation for its targeted protein-degradation platform.
What 3C Therapeutics is building
Its TriCore platform combines antibody-based cell targeting with intracellular protein degraders. The antibody is designed to deliver the active component into selected cells, where the degrader uses cellular protein-disposal machinery to remove a disease-driving target.
Initial work concerns aggressive solid tumours. The investor question is whether targeting, cellular uptake and degradation can be shown together in relevant models, then translated into an acceptable therapeutic window.
Developing medicines that deliver alpha-particle radiation to cancer cells
- Country
- Canada
- Founded
- 2023
- Sector
- Biotech
- Funding stage
- Seed or earlier
- Founders
Why AIGA Therapeutics stands out
AIGA Therapeutics combines treatment and imaging within a targeted radiopharmaceutical approach. Alpha particles release energy over a short distance, creating a rationale for concentrating radiation at tumour-associated molecular targets rather than exposing a broader treatment field.
FACIT selected AIGA Therapeutics for its Prospects pre-seed support, adding early institutional backing to the startup's targeted radiopharmaceutical development.
What AIGA Therapeutics is building
The startup is developing molecules intended to carry alpha-emitting radioisotopes to cancer cells. Diagnostic imaging is part of the proposed approach, with the aim of supporting patient selection and response monitoring.
By pairing therapeutic alpha-emitting compounds with a diagnostic imaging approach, AIGA Therapeutics is developing a way to connect tumour targeting, treatment planning and monitoring within the same radiopharmaceutical strategy.
Developing a device to remove cancer-promoting molecules around solid tumours
- Country
France- Founded
- 2024
- Sector
- Medtech
- Funding stage
- Seed or earlier
- Founders
Why FOSCA BioTech stands out
FOSCA BioTech focuses on molecules in the tumour microenvironment that can reduce immune activity. Its device concept aims to extract multiple cancer-promoting molecules from the area surrounding a solid tumour.
FOSCA BioTech has conducted in-vitro testing and participated in Bordeaux Care Lab. Founder Alexandre Motta previously founded and served as CTO of IMcoMET, bringing experience in technology development to the startup.
What FOSCA BioTech is building
FOSCA BioTech is developing a 3D-printed device designed to extract cancer-promoting molecules from the tumour microenvironment. Its local approach is intended to modify conditions around a solid tumour that can interfere with immune activity.
The 3D-printed architecture provides a physical platform for capturing multiple molecules associated with the tumour environment, bringing materials engineering into a cancer treatment-support concept.
04
Exosiris
Developing hybrid nanoparticles to deliver genetic medicines to target cells
- Country
- France
- Founded
- 2025
- Sector
- Biotech
- Funding stage
- Seed or earlier
- Founders
Why Exosiris stands out
Exosiris is developing a delivery system for genetic and immune-active medicines. The startup combines biological vesicles with lipid carriers to help therapeutic cargo enter selected cells.
Exosiris has completed in-vitro proof-of-concept work on nucleic-acid delivery and was selected for WILCO One and Bordeaux Care Lab. Its founders bring relevant experience in immunotherapy and the development of advanced delivery technologies.
What Exosiris is building
Exosiris combines cell-derived vesicles and lipid nanoparticles to transport genetic cargo to target cells in the body. The platform has potential applications in cancer immunotherapy and regenerative medicine.
The hybrid carrier design brings together the cell-interaction properties of biological vesicles and the cargo-encapsulation capabilities of lipid nanoparticles, creating a platform for delivering different types of nucleic-acid therapies.
05
Cyberna
Developing blood tests using RNA modifications to screen for cancer
- Country
- France
- Founded
- 2023
- Sector
- Diagnostics
- Funding stage
- Seed or earlier
Why Cyberna stands out
Cyberna studies chemical changes to RNA as blood-based signals of cancer. Its approach uses molecular signatures that can be measured in a sample and interpreted with machine learning to support early detection.
Cyberna has an IRCM-linked pancreatic cancer research partnership, received i-Lab 2024 recognition and secured financing from Paris-Saclay Business Angels in 2026.
What Cyberna is building
The platform measures modified RNA building blocks in blood using mass spectrometry and applies machine learning to identify signatures associated with disease. Colorectal screening is among its intended uses, alongside research on pancreatic cancer detection.
The approach brings together mass spectrometry, RNA-modification signatures and machine learning. Alongside its colorectal screening focus, Cyberna is studying pancreatic cancer detection through a research partnership.
06
3Sonic
Developing 3D ultrasound to assess tumour margins during cancer surgery
- Country
Denmark- Founded
- 2025
- Sector
- Medtech
- Funding stage
- Seed or earlier
Why 3Sonic stands out
3Sonic addresses a decision that surgeons often cannot settle during an operation: whether the removed specimen has a clear cancer-free margin. A result that arrives only after pathological analysis can leave patients facing repeat procedures.
Founder-coauthored 3D-ultrasound research correctly classified specimen margins in 26 of 28 salivary-gland surgery patients. The startup has also built a functional prototype and received Danish project and grant support alongside BioInnovation Institute financing.
What 3Sonic is building
The startup is building a portable 3D-ultrasound imaging system combined with AI to assess excised tumour tissue while surgery is underway. Its proposed output is a margin assessment to help the operating team decide whether additional tissue removal may be needed.
The portable system is intended to generate a three-dimensional view of an excised specimen during surgery, bringing tumour-margin information closer to the operating team's decision on whether additional tissue should be removed.
07
Aiscopia
Reviewing cancer biopsy slides with AI and preparing pathology reports
- Country
Spain- Founded
- 2026
- Sector
- Digital health
- Funding stage
- Seed or earlier
Why Aiscopia stands out
Aiscopia focuses on digital review of cancer biopsy slides, structured reporting and access to specialist pathology opinions. Its software brings those activities together within a single pathology workflow.
Aiscopia developed a functional MVP in 2026 and was selected for Lanzadera's accelerator. Co-founder Seyther Morales Burbano contributes breast-pathology experience to the team.
What Aiscopia is building
Aiscopia combines digital whole-slide viewing, AI-assisted assessment, structured pathology reporting and specialist consultation. The platform organizes image review and report preparation for pathology teams.
By combining slide viewing, reporting and consultation tools, Aiscopia is building a connected digital environment for pathology work, including the review of cancer biopsies and communication between specialists.