Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, Founder - AOA Dx

Angel Invest Boston

Sponsors:

• Purdue University entrepreneurship
• Peter Fasse, patent attorney at Fish & Richardson

Mostly diagnosed in late stages, ovarian cancer is a silent killer of women. Oriana Papin-Zoghbi of AOA Dx aims to defeat this threat. Fresh out of Y Combinator, the team is making impressive headway in commercializing a promising technology from McGill University.

Highlights:

• Sal Introduces Sponsors, Purdue University Entrepreneurship & Peter Fasse, Patent Attorney
• Sal Daher, CFA Welcomes Oriana Papin-Zoghbi of AOA Dx to the Podcast
• Ovarian Cancer Is a Silent Killer of Women
• “None of us on the founding team were originally scientists... We needed to really create a partnership.”
• Partnered with Professor Uri Saragovi of McGill University
• “...80% of cases being diagnosed when they're already Stage III and IV.”
• Professor Saragovi’s Approach Is Using Certain Glycolipids in the Patient’s Blood as a Marker of the Presence of Ovarian Cancer
• AOA Dx Supported by a Retrospective Study – Reached 95% Accuracy
• Sal Daher, CFA Makes the Case for Re-Skilling Angels Used to Investing in Software into Life Science Investors
• “We expect to be on the market in the US by 2025. Another four years out from here.”
• AOA Dx Is Developing a Platform for Early Detection of Other Diseases as Well
• Is AOA Dx Considering a Strategic Collaboration?
• A Good Attitude Towards Strategic Collaboration
• “...I can make the case for life sciences and that is where we are today is at the cusp of innovation, or medical innovation in the life sciences, this is truly just the beginning.”
• “...our ability to beat cancer or Alzheimer's or other types of diseases. It's that impact investment that is going to make a difference 30 years to come from now...”
• “I fully attest to the value Y Combinator gave us...”
• “...TBD Angels I worked specifically with, or closest I should say, with Yael and with Vicky was, how quick and transparent all of our communication was.”
• “...for anybody that is interested in the art of persuasion, I very much recommend reading about Robert Cialdini and his books...”

Topics: biotech, co-founders, founding story, fundraising