Virchow Medical, a medical technology company focused on improving cancer diagnostics, announced it has raised $4 million in seed financing to expand access to precision oncology and advance biopsy specimen stewardship. The funding round was led by Cerberus Ventures, with participation from five physician users of Virchow’s biopsy technologies. As part of the investment, Chenny Zhang of Cerberus Ventures will join the company’s board of directors.
Virchow plans to use the capital to complete development of its liquid specimen biorepository, known as the Virchow Vault, and to expand pilot programs for its Biopsy Catchment system across additional medical institutions in the United States.
The company’s core innovation addresses a key limitation in cancer diagnostics. Traditional genomic sequencing relies on formalin-fixed tissue collected during biopsies, which is often insufficient or unavailable. Meanwhile, tumor cells dislodged during biopsy procedures are typically discarded.
Virchow’s Crow’s Nest Biopsy Catchment System is designed to capture these otherwise wasted cells, creating what the company calls Liquid Companion Specimens. Clinical studies across six U.S. medical institutions have shown that these specimens can provide additional molecular insights compared to standard tissue samples.
By enabling the collection of high-quality molecular material, the technology may reduce the need for repeat biopsies and support more personalized treatment approaches, including targeted immunotherapy.
Virchow also positions its platform as an opportunity in data infrastructure. By storing these liquid specimens in its biorepository, oncologists can later access and order genomic sequencing without relying on limited tissue samples. This approach aims to expand access to precision medicine and improve outcomes for cancer patients.
In addition to institutional investors, the financing included pathologists and interventional radiologists who have firsthand experience using the company’s technology.
Virchow Medical, formerly known as Corramedical, is focused on unlocking molecular data from biopsy procedures and enabling broader access to advanced cancer diagnostics.
KEY QUOTES:
“It’s the best way to counteract tissue insufficiency, and Virchow has the technology and resources to harness that. We are humbled and honored to be in a position to help an enormous number of cancer patients. The backing of Cerberus Ventures enables us to accelerate the education of the oncology, pathology, radiology, and reference lab communities about the clinical and financial benefits of banking high-quality genetic material sourced from used biopsy needles.”
Alexander Arrow, MD, CEO of Virchow Medical
“We see Virchow not just as a platform to improve cancer patient outcomes, but also as a differentiated data provider that can help accelerate AI benefits across the healthcare system. We have been incredibly impressed with the Virchow team’s experience and execution and look forward to this partnership in their next phase of growth.”
Chenny Zhang, Managing Director for Cerberus Ventures
