While Filipino athletes are making accomplishments at the international arena, a proud Filipino has also been making waves on the international stage; this time, in innovation, healthcare and entrepreneurship.
For several years now, Aldo Carrascoso, who was raised in San Juan, Metro Manila, has been leaving a mark in the start-up scene in the United States with his string of successful tech-centric business ventures known for their disruptive and transformative effects
In the early 2000’s, he moved into Silicon Valley where renowned tech companies are operating. He took up an MBA at Babson College, where he learned from various mentors and entrepreneurs, and, after finishing his degree, founded his first start-up, Verego, a B2B matchmaking platform, which he exited after a few years. He then went on to build Jukin Media, the worldwide leader in the discovery, acquisition, monetization, and distribution of user-generated content.
His next venture, Veem, a next-generation global payment provider, holds the distinction of being the first in the industry to use blockchain technology as a payment rail in 2014.
His latest undertaking, Intervenn Biosciences, is a cutting-edge biotech company which seeks not only to revolutionize the fight against cancer but also find a comprehensive solution for the dreaded disease. Aldo co-founded the company with fellow Filipino Dr. Carlito Lebrilla, Ph.D., a glycoproteomic pioneer and professor at the University of California Davis. Another Intervenn co-founder is Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi Ph.D., a luminary in glycobiology and chemistry professor at Stanford University.
“InterVenn focuses on a critical but often misunderstood area of glycoproteomics, also ignored over many decades due to its computational complexity. We’ve unlocked this significant biological realm using a next generation platform that utilizes AI, machine learning and advanced molecular instrumentation to immensely enhance the early detection, diagnostic, treatment selection and monitoring processes for various cancers and even other diseases,” Carrascoso shared.
The company has developed a first-of-its-kind glycoproteomics-based liquid biopsy solution for this purpose. Initially, it has produced VOCAL, an Ovarian Cancer Liquid biopsy diagnostic that helps physicians determine whether a tumor in a woman’s pelvic region is malignant or not. The company is also developing several other tools that will help physicians in key decision-making.
Intervenn continues to gain the support of global investors, mirroring the potentials and relevance of the organization. Recently, it announced the completion of a US$ 201 million Series C financing, led by Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank (venture fund behind Didi, Grab, Bytedance, Slack) which will be used to fund the development and commercialization of Dawn, the company’s liquid biopsy assay for immune checkpoint inhibitor response prediction.
