University spin-out Afynia secures $5M seed to commercialize its microRNA panel test for endometriosis

Canadian biotech startup Afynia Laboratories, a spin-out from McMaster University in Ontario, has picked up $5 million in seed funding to commercialize a blood test for endometriosis — a medical condition that can afflict people with a uterus, causing problems like chronic pelvic pain and fertility issues. Endometriosis affects nearly 200 million people worldwide. Getting a diagnosis remains challenging, with some women reporting that it can take years — even up to a decade — of doctors trips and invasive tests before they obtain confirmation. That in turn delays treatments which might alleviate their pain or improve their chances of being able to get pregnant. Speeding up diagnosis, so treatments can happen faster, is Afynia’s mission. Co-founder Dr. Lauren Foster (pictured above left) explains that endometriosis is not a single medical issue, but rather a syndrome or series of different disorders that can present with similar symptoms. Prior to doing the startup, Foster was a profe ... Read full article.