Under the Microscope: Clarified Precision Medicine

In this series, we explain why we invested in our current portfolio companies. In the process, we hope to highlight the white spaces in women’s health and the life sciences — as well as the people, products, and companies working to fill those gaps. The name “Under the Microscope” refers both to our extensive due diligence process and our investment focus on healthcare and the life sciences.

You can find the original version of this post on Medium.

About 20 years ago, researchers realized that identifying a particular mutation in a form of lung cancer could help guide personalized, effective treatment decisions. The decade that followed was “transformative” – and initiated the field of precision oncology, or cancer care based on the particular genomic mutation of an individual patient’s tumor.

Precision oncology can lead to higher survival rates, faster successful treatment outcomes, and fewer side effects than a one-size-fits-all approach to cancer treatment, but significant barriers to patient access remain. In fact, as one article summarized through its title alone, “Limited Genomics Training Among Physicians Remains a Barrier to Genomics-Based Implementation of Precision Medicine.” Quantified, 22% of physicians reported low confidence in their genomic knowledge and 41% cited their lack of training in identifying appropriate genomic tests and in interpreting the results as the most significant barrier to ordering genomic tests.

Molecular Tumor Boards (MTBs) can mitigate this lack of familiarity, training, and confidence. MTBs are multidisciplinary teams that use their collective expertise nd knowledge to interpret genomic tests and recommend subsequent therapies. Despite MTB’s improved patient outcomes, however, one analysis found only 17.6% of the cases reportedly discussed by the MTB received treatment recommendations. The other 82.4% did not and had to move ahead without further expert guidance.

Clarified Precision Medicine fills these gaps, allowing healthcare providers and patients to reap the benefits of precision medicine. 

Clarified utilizes a combination of machine learning and human expertise to analyze and simplify genomic testing results for oncologists, turning these complex reports into a concise, actionable set of treatment recommendations in 48 hours or fewer and allowing healthcare providers and patients to access personalized, genomically-informed treatments.

Through Clarified’s first product, ClarifiedSelect™, the company’s network of experts interprets genomic tests and provides a single-page list of recommended treatment options: a contrast to lengthy standard genomic testing reports. This approach helps provide expertise and save time for oncologists, including community oncologists who serve about 55% of oncology patients, provide over 80% of cancer care in the United States, and may see up to 30 patients daily.

Clarified also offers OncoGuardian™, which focuses on risk analyses of and treatments for potential severe treatment-related toxicities: the adverse effects - such as blood clots, depression, thrombocytopenia (or low platelet count), and pain.

86% of healthcare providers would welcome assistance with interpreting genomic testing results and would consult a genomic medicine expert if the option were available. Avestria Ventures invested in Clarified Precision Medicine because it fills this need with an advanced solution and, in the process, bridges the gap between genomic testing and care and makes genomically-informed precision medicine available, accessible, and actionable.

At Avestria Ventures, we look for early-stage women’s health and female-led life science companies with products or technologies that improve healthcare quality and/or access, lower costs, induce clinical or behavioral change, are evidence based, have scalable commercialization plans, and have a sustainable competitive advantage. Know one? Contact us via our blog, website, LinkedIn, or X.