Valar Labs

Valar Labs is a precision medicine company developing computational histology AI (CHAI) tests to predict response to cancer therapies. Their goal is to empower oncologists and patients with data-driven diagnostics to select the most effective treatments based on the patient's tumor biology. Valar Labs' pioneering product, Vesta, is an AI-based test that analyzes digitized tissue slides to predict which bladder cancer patients are unlikely to benefit from the standard BCG therapy. It provides detailed risk stratification for disease recurrence and progression, enabling personalized treatment plans.

Vesta utilizes computer vision models trained on thousands of histology images to extract quantitative features from tumor cells that are challenging for human experts to measure precisely. These features are then correlated with patient outcomes using machine learning algorithms to generate predictive biomarkers. The company has published extensive research demonstrating Vesta's ability to outperform existing clinical parameters in predicting treatment response across diverse patient demographics.

In May 2024, Valar Labs secured USD 22 million in Series A funding to drive the commercial rollout of Vesta and expand their CHAI technology to other cancer types, such as pancreatic cancer. The financing round was co-led by prominent venture capital firms DCVC and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Bio + Health, with participation from Pear VC. Vesta is currently available through Valar Labs' CLIA-certified laboratory in Houston, Texas, and can be ordered online.