Vida Ventures

The most effective treatment for cancer relies on early detection as this is before cancer has spread and is easiest to remove.  The prognosis becomes bleaker when cancer has metastasized, referred to as Stage 4, and becomes difficult to control and cure.  Therapies have traditionally been focused on treating primary cancer locations but these therapies are ineffective when cancer hasn’t been contained.  Volastra Therapeutics is focused on developing cutting-edge therapies for chromosomal instability (CIN), an aberration from the normal 46 chromosomes. When CIN occurs, it’s one of the conduits that causes cancer to spread.   Using a blend of machine learning, imaging, and bioinformatics to identify CIN, the Harlem-based company is able to pinpoint which cancers have a high likelihood of spreading and develop therapeutics accordingly. AlleyWatch caught up with Charles Hugh-Jones, MD to learn more about how Volstra’s technology is helping develop new therapeutics, future strategic plans, and recent seed extension round from investors that include Vida Ventures, Catalio Capital Management, Polaris Partners, Droia Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, and Quark Venture.