Leuko, an MIT startup developing PointCheckTM, the first solution that enables at-home noninvasive white blood cell (WBC) monitoring, today announced a first closing of $5 million for their Series A round. The new funding, from HTH VC, Good Growth Capital, IAG Capital Partners, Nina Capital, and angel investors, will accelerate Leuko’s clinical trials to obtain regulatory approval in collaboration with leading cancer centers, including Boston Medical Center and MD Anderson in the USA, and Dexeus and Hospital 12 de Octubre in Europe. Leuko will also continue to pursue its go-to-market and partnership activities with healthcare providers, medical device distributors and pharmaceutical companies.
“Low WBC levels is one of the most common as well as most devastating and costliest side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Clinical data indicates that as many as one out of every six chemotherapy patients suffer life-threatening infections and hospital readmissions directly linked to low WBCs,” said Leuko co-founder and CEO Dr. Carlos Castro-Gonzalez. “At Leuko, we are working on a solution to help patients and providers prevent these hospital readmissions and improve clinical outcomes, by remotely monitoring WBC levels before infections ensue.”
With Leuko, patients simply place their finger onto an internet connected PointCheckTM device for just 1 minute a day. The device measures WBC levels without a blood sample draw. The data is sent to the patient’s care team, which can triage findings to help patients receive appropriate, preventive treatments under the direction of their clinician. The technology has demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy and home usability in recent peer-reviewed studies.
“We are excited to support Leuko as they scale and bring this clinically validated solution to the millions of patients who can live healthier lives through an increased monitoring of their weakened immune system,” said Michele Gaiotto, CEO of HTH VC, who leads the Company Series A.
“We believe that Leuko is building a strong team and technology platform and are honored to support its worthy mission.”
Amy Salzhauer, Managing Partner of Good Growth Capital, who led the Company Series Seed, said “We continue to be impressed by the potential value delivered by the PointCheckTM platform, which has been achieved by integrating proprietary remote monitoring technology in a product that can be used by unsupervised patients at home.”
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