The Estonian health technology company Antegenes has raised 2.3 million euros in funding to bring its innovative genetic tests for personalised cancer prevention into wider use in healthcare, scale the team and expand to new foreign markets. Funding was received from investors, Enterprise Estonia and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

Antegenes’ novel genetic tests assess patient’s personal cancer risks and include clinical recommendations for further personalised cancer prevention. Tests are based on innovative polygenic risk score technology which helps to clarify individual’s genetic predispositions to cancer. It therefore allows for more accurate prevention and early detection measures – crucial in the fight with cancer. The tests are currently used to determine the genetic risk to four cancers: breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and skin melanoma.

Antegenes raised 1.6 million euros from investors in seed round, which was led by Pipedrive co-founder Timo Rein, Pipedrive’s first investor Peep Vain and entrepreneurs Aare Kurist and Andreas Henn Otsmaa. In addition, other Estonian investors and entrepreneurs participated in the round. The financing round was advised by investment banking company Keystone Advisers and law firm Sorainen.

“The investments make it possible to bring personalised cancer prevention into wider use in healthcare, including in new markets. In addition to Estonia and the United Kingdom, we have started operations in Sweden, Norway, Portugal, and Spain. In the coming months we will also enter the German market,” said Dr. Peeter Padrik, founder and CEO of Antegenes. “To reduce cancer deaths, the genetic predisposition of cancer should be analysed for all people, and our vision is to implement this internationally with our partners. This is why the current investment round is very important for our growth and next steps. We are glad that investors share our vision of the future of healthcare.”

“Antegenes team has been working for a number of years to help people identify and prevent some of the most difficult chronic conditions all of us are potentially subject to during our lifetime. Of course, to realize such a vision one needs to overcome enormous challenges, and we want to support the team as it tackles them. It takes many years to build a great business – and similarly, create a lasting health change – and we believe the current milestone gives a boost to Antegenes team to take some exciting steps towards their future,” added lead investor Timo Rein.

In addition, Antegenes has received two grants to bring research-intensive innovation to international healthcare. The first is the BRIGHT project, which is financed with 2.28 million euros by EIT Health, of which 500,000 euros is a grant to Antegenes. At the centre of the project is Antegenes and the breast cancer genetic risk test AnteBC. The goal of the project is to implement the AnteBC test in breast cancer precision prevention in Estonia, Portugal and Sweden, with further developments in Europe more broadly. By enabling precision prevention with targeted screening, BRIGHT promises to improve patient outcomes and significantly reduce breast cancer mortality. The partners of the project are the University of Tartu, IESE Business School, Tartu University Hospital, Estonian Health Insurance Fund, Uppsala University Hospital, North Lisbon University Hospital Centre, and GE Healthcare. EIT Health, part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, is a network of the best healthcare institutions in Europe, supporting the development of the most promising start-ups and business concepts.

The second grant came from the Norway Grants Green ICT programme, which supports business cooperation between Estonia and Norway. The goal of the 200,000-euro funding is to implement the breast cancer genetic risk test AnteBC as part of a breast cancer screening routine in Norway. The partners of the project are the University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, and Oslo Cancer Cluster. All partners have a strong scientific and clinical background and are acknowledged institutions in the field of oncology both in Norway and internationally.

Antegenes’ products are based on peer-reviewed international research and have been evaluated and validated using anonymous population data of the Estonian Biobank and UK Biobank.

Antegenes is an Estonian health technology company and medical laboratory founded in 2018 with a goal to develop and implement advanced genetic tests based on polygenic risk scores technology for precision prevention of major complex diseases. Antegenes is an official spin-off company of the University of Tartu.

The theme of World’s Fair Expo Dubai 2020 is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, emphasising how we all have the power to build a better world and shape the future. With this in mind, Antegenes was proud to organize a business seminar, where we discussed how to implement innovative genetic information into cancer precision prevention with the goal to help people live longer and healthier lives.

It was an immense honour to welcome in our panel:
Dr Fatima Alkaabi, the Director of the Genome Office in Abu Dhabi Executive Office (UAE),
Ms Jumana AlAzazi also from the Genome Office (UAE) and
Dr James Mackay, Medical Director of Everything Genetic Ltd (UK).

The panel was moderated by Antegenes CEO & Founder Dr Peeter Padrik.

“Our discussion with Dr Fatima Alkaabi and Dr James Mackay confirmed that United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Estonia all have the same visions for genetics-based personalized prevention of cancers and other common diseases, and have already taken the first steps for integrating genomic medicine into healthcare. We acknowledged, that we need collaboration among stakeholders from different countries to support and ensure that the best genetics-based innovative solutions and screening programs are integrated in healthcare systems globally,” said Dr Peeter Padrik after the event.

The business seminar titled “Digital nation. Personalized solutions for healthcare & wellbeing” took place on 31st of January, and was organized by Antegenes and the City of Tartu, both official members of the Estonian Pavilion.

Other panels focused on digital health solutions and changes and challenges in the molecular diagnostics. Companies in the Estonian health-tech delegation taking part of the seminar were Asper Biogene, Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Connected Health Cluster, DocuMental, Institute of Genomics at the University of Tartu, Migrevention, Nordwise Biotech, Solis BioDyne, Tartu Biotechnology Park, and Triumf Health.

As one of the companies of the Estonian health business delegation, Antegenes also met with representatives from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Abu Dhabi Department of Health to discuss opportunities for cooperation. Dr Padrik commented on the opportunities existing between the two countries: “Similar to Estonia, one of the important goals of the health care system in the United Arab Emirates is the personal prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. A common element definitely shared with Estonia is establishing a nationwide genome project and implementing digital health care opportunities to create a better system.”

Antegenes was supported by Connected Health Cluster and Enterprise Estonia.

The Estonian health technology company Antegenes has raised 500,000 euros and signed a long-term strategic partnership agreement with UK-based healthcare company Everything Genetic Ltd to implement Antegenes genetic testing service in the United Kingdom healthcare system.

Antegenes’ novel genetic tests assess patient’s personal cancer risks and include clinical recommendations for further personalised cancer prevention. Tests are based on innovative polygenic risk score technology which helps to clarify individual’s genetic predispositions to cancer and allows for more accurate prevention and early detection measures. The tests are currently used to determine the genetic risk to four cancers: breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and skin melanoma.

Everything Genetic is a leading distributor of market-leading genetic test brands into the UK market, with the aim to democratise genetic testing to healthcare providers and patients for detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, cardiac and other illnesses.

“We are very excited for our strategic partnership with Everything Genetic for the wider application of our tests within the UK healthcare sector. This is a historic step as we enter a new era of personalised cancer prevention. Most importantly, we have a clear shared vision of how innovative genetic solutions can help save lives and reduce the impact cancer has on our society,” said Dr. Peeter Padrik, CEO and founder of Antegenes.

Everything Genetic’s CEO, James Price, says the Antegenes investment, into polygenic risk testing technology, can vastly improve patient outcomes for those likely to develop cancers. “Genetic testing for cancer has until now been the preserve of an exclusive few, only available in private clinics with costs running into the thousands, but this new investment into the Antegenes service will deliver a cost-effective way to bring down the cost of this novel tech.“

Dr James Mackay, medical Director at Everything Genetic explains cancer is a disease heavily influenced by genetics. “Although it’s long been understood that genetics plays a part in predisposition to the cancer, this technology gives proven data to demonstrate just how significant a role an individual’s genes might play in the likelihood of them developing cancer. And the earlier we can spot that and take preventative measures, the better.“

“Antegenes tests truly have the potential to turn the old trope of prevention being better than the cure on its head, in identifying predisposition to certain conditions even before prevention. It demonstrates an exciting step in the advancement of life sciences and we really can’t wait to see how the technology impacts individual patients’ outcomes across the UK,” added Dr Mackay.

„For us it’s important that our innovative solutions are trusted by top UK clinicians so we can start implementing personalised cancer prevention at a large scale. This new investment will be also used to further expand our testing service into new markets in Europe,“ added Dr Padrik.

The Antegenes tests can improve patient outcomes for those more genetically predisposed to certain cancers and other complex diseases. The firm claims the quick five-minute saliva tests will “democratise” the use of the polygenic risk-based genetics testing for individuals, healthcare professionals and organisations, helping to deliver more cost-effective patient outcomes, whilst increasing the chances of preventing and surviving cancer.

Antegenes’ products are based on peer-reviewed international research and have been evaluated and validated using anonymous population data of the Estonian Biobank and UK Biobank. The data from Antegenes’ tests provide three actionable data points for patients, including: absolute risk of developing the specific cancer over the next decade, general population comparison against people the same age, and relative comparison of your risk versus that of the general population.

Antegenes is an Estonian health technology company and medical laboratory founded in 2018 with a goal to develop and implement advanced genetic tests based on polygenic risk scores technology for major complex diseases.

Antegenes is proud to appoint its first advisory board member Akshay Mody, who brings his expert advice and guidance as a medical leader, in order to help us successfully develop and launch our innovative products in healthcare.

Akshay Mody has spent over 20 years in the healthcare industry. His most recent experience is in overseeing the rapid growth of the medical organisation Viiv Healthcare as Chief of Staff, which successfully concluded 7 Phase 3 trials (resulting in 4 NDAs) and established a portfolio of Discovery and Early Development products in just 5 years. This has given him a unique understanding of managing successful short- and long-term objectives in parallel with expansion. This experience, linked to his earlier roles leading multifunctional teams in global and European launches for assets at GlaxoSmithKline, launching breakthrough specialist drugs in multiple therapy areas as a Regional and Country General Manager (at Roche, Novartis and Ciba-Geigy) will allow our executive management team of Antegenes to have the support we need at this important stage of growth.

With the establishment of the advisory board, our intention is to identify a group of people who have vast experience in their respective fields. The board’s mission is to provide our executive team objective judgement that is critical to us in establishing our identity, footprint and ultimately fulfilling our mission to empower individuals, medical professionals and public healthcare in using genetics for personal and public health activities.

Our advisory board members will provide us unbiased advice in areas such as strategy, performance, sustainability, resources, transformation, diversity, standards of conduct and evaluation of performance. We believe this will help guide, improve and evolve our corporate credibility and governance standards and also manage risks while focusing on bringing our solutions to patients and healthcare providers.