Tvaster Genkalp secures $1.25 mn in pre-series A funding from Ideaspring Capital

Tvaster Genkalp, a molecular diagnostics startup, has raised $1.25 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Ideaspring Capital. Existing investors include Invigo Softwares and Prof. Mohamed Rela, a liver transplant surgeon. 

The fresh investment aims to accelerate the expansion and commercialisation of Episcreen Liver, a methylation-based liquid biopsy test for early liver cancer detection. It offers a non-invasive, highly accurate diagnostic alternative for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). According to a press statement, Episcreen Liver, has been developed and validated using over 600 patient samples, achieving 90 per cent sensitivity and specificity for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The press release further mentioned that while Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), the current standard for HCC screening, has 50 per cent sensitivity, Episcreen Liver achieves 90 per cent sensitivity, thus improving early detection and increasing survival chances by over 70 per cent. 
 
Liver cancer is a rapidly growing global health concern, with over 900,000 new cases annually. In India, one in five adults suffer from Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) due to Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatitis B and C, Alcohol-related CLD, and other metabolic disorders. However, the current diagnostics remain inadequate, reinforcing the need for high-accuracy, non-invasive alternatives.
 
Co-founded in 2021 by Dr Srikar Raman and K Sreedurgalakshmi, Tvaster aims to transform molecular diagnostics and precision oncology through advanced epigenetic screening technologies.  Tvaster is also advancing its oncology diagnostics pipeline with Episcreen Bile, a novel test for Cholangiocarcinoma, an aggressive bile duct cancer with limited early detection options. Additionally, the company has developed Episcreen HBResist, a chemotherapy resistance test for pediatric hepatoblastoma.