RareCan Company Profile

Background

RareCan, established in 2020 and headquartered in Hexham, United Kingdom, is a health technology company dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with rare cancers. The company focuses on connecting individuals diagnosed with rare cancers to resources and tools that aid in understanding and managing their conditions. By aggregating patient data, RareCan aims to accelerate the development of diagnostics and treatments, addressing the significant disparity in survival rates between rare and common cancers.

Key Strategic Focus

RareCan's strategic objectives include:

Patient Engagement: Building a robust community of rare cancer patients to facilitate data sharing and participation in research initiatives.

Data Aggregation: Collecting comprehensive clinical and genetic data to support precision medicine approaches.

Research Facilitation: Providing researchers with access to well-characterized patient cohorts, thereby expediting clinical trials and the development of targeted therapies.

Financials and Funding

Since its inception, RareCan has secured multiple funding rounds to support its growth:

January 2021: Received a grant of $2.68K.

March 2021: Completed a seed round, raising $279K.

June 2022: Secured additional seed funding (amount undisclosed).

January 2024: Raised $2.54M in a seed round.

Notable investors include Anglia Capital Group, Cambridge Angels, Women Angels, Mandashi, and Northern Hub.

Technological Platform and Innovation

RareCan distinguishes itself through:

Proprietary Technology: Developing a direct-to-patient clinical trial platform that streamlines patient recruitment and data collection.

Data Integration: Combining consent-to-contact patient recruitment with access to biosamples and genetic information, facilitating histology-independent trials targeting genetic mutations across various rare cancers.

Leadership Team

RareCan's leadership comprises experienced professionals:

Piers Kotting: Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Simon Allocca: Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer.

Andrew Hall: Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer.

Claire Heron: Co-Founder and Board Member.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The rare cancer research sector is characterized by:

High Unmet Need: Rare cancers account for over 70,000 cases annually in the UK, with higher mortality rates compared to common cancers.

Growing Investment: Increased funding and interest in precision medicine are driving advancements in rare cancer diagnostics and treatments.

Competitor Analysis

While RareCan operates in a niche market, potential competitors include:

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical: Specializes in developing treatments for rare and ultra-rare diseases, with a market capitalization of $3.60B and revenues of $560.23M.

Sarepta Therapeutics: Focuses on genetic medicine for rare diseases, with a market capitalization of $9.62B and revenues of $1.90B.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

RareCan collaborates with:

NHS Trusts: Including Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to support patient recruitment and data collection.

Patient Organizations: Such as GIST Cancer UK, to engage with the rare cancer community and facilitate research initiatives.

Operational Insights

RareCan's competitive advantages include:

Unique Data Access: The integration of patient recruitment, clinical data, and biosamples positions RareCan as a valuable partner for researchers and pharmaceutical companies.

Focus on Rare Cancers: Addressing a significant unmet need in the healthcare sector, RareCan is poised to make a substantial impact on patient outcomes.