Oncoliq

Oncoliq is an Argentinian biotechnology firm operating in the diagnostic equipment sector, with a specific focus on early multi-cancer detection through liquid biopsies. The company was co-founded by Dr. Marina Simian, who serves as CEO, and Dr. Adriana De Siervi, the Chief Scientific Officer, both of whom have over two decades of experience in cancer research. The venture originated from Dr. De Siervi's research beginning in 2014 at Argentina's National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), which investigated microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers. This research culminated in a doctoral thesis and the subsequent formation of Oncoliq in February 2021 to commercialize the findings.

The core of Oncoliq's technology is a blood test that analyzes circulating miRNAs, which are stable molecules that appear in the bloodstream in the early stages of tumor development, to detect the presence of cancer. This method is combined with machine learning algorithms to analyze the results and determine if a person has a tumor in a specific organ. The company asserts its technology possesses high sensitivity; for instance, its breast cancer test (Oncoliq breast) reportedly demonstrates 90% sensitivity, a significant improvement over the 30% sensitivity of some competing tests for the same cancer type. The process leverages widely available real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines, a strategic decision made to ensure the test is low-cost, decentralized, and scalable, particularly after the global proliferation of PCR technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oncoliq's business model is decentralized. It plans to license the manufacturing and distribution of its PCR test kits to a global health corporation for worldwide reach. Clinical laboratories with PCR equipment can then offer the test, paying Oncoliq a fee-for-service or a monthly membership for access to its cloud-based platform. Laboratories upload the numerical test result to Oncoliq's platform, where the company's proprietary algorithm provides a definitive yes/no answer and specifies the tumor location. The initial market focus is on private clients through a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) launch, with plans to pursue FDA approval for broader U.S. commercialization by 2026. The company is developing tests for five types of cancer, with its breast and prostate cancer tests being the most advanced and currently undergoing pilot testing in Argentina.

Keywords: liquid biopsy, early cancer detection, microRNA biomarkers, PCR-based diagnostics, machine learning in diagnostics, oncology, biotechnology, diagnostic equipment, cancer screening, non-invasive diagnostics, health-tech, molecular biology, cancer research, Marina Simian, Adriana De Siervi, CONICET, Laboratory Developed Test, multi-cancer detection, real-time PCR, cloud-based diagnostics