Cancer remains one of the most formidable health challenges worldwide, claiming millions of lives each year. 90% of these deaths are the result of the spreading and growth of cancer cells in other parts of the body. This process is called Metastasis. Almost no approach exists to prevent or slow down the process of metastasis, and current treatments offer limited success at this advanced stage, often extending survival by a mere few months.
A startup named Mestastop has developed a platform that comprehensively maps 30 biological steps of cancer spread. Using its proprietary research models, Mestastop can predict, understand, and potentially prevent cancer from spreading within the body.
We spoke to Dr. Arnab Roy Chowdhury, CEO of Mestastop Solutions, to understand how their technology platform helps researchers tackle cancer.
This interview is part of our exclusive Scouted By GreyB series. Here, we talk to the founder of innovative startups to understand how their solutions address critical industry challenges and help ensure compliance with industry and government regulations. (Know more about startups scouted by GreyB!)
“Most cancer deaths are due to the afflicted cells detaching from the primary tumor and spreading.”
– Dr. Arnab Roy Chowdhury
Dr. Arnab Roy Chowdhury is the CEO of Mestastop Solutions. Dr. Chowdhury has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, having worked with leading companies like Amgen, Wyeth, and Pfizer. His expertise spans oncology, molecular biology, and translational research. Under his leadership, the company has developed proprietary platforms like METAssay® and METSCAN®, which are designed to accelerate drug discovery and diagnostics for metastatic cancer.
Stopping Cancer’s Deadly Spread: The Mestastop Story
Mestastop is a biotech startup focused on addressing one of the most challenging aspects of cancer treatment: metastasis. The company aims to prevent and delay cancer’s spread by developing innovative platforms and approaches, potentially extending patient survival and improving treatment outcomes.
Here are notable highlights from the complete conversation:
What problem is Mestastop solving?
Dr. Arnab: 90% of cancer deaths occur due to cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Current treatments are primarily ineffective once metastasis occurs. Traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery can only increase survival by an average of three and a half months after cancer has spread. Most patients undergo repeated scans every few months, living with the constant uncertainty of cancer’s potential return.
We recognized that existing approaches were fundamentally flawed. Instead of trying to stop cancer cells from initially moving, we focus on preventing them from growing in new locations after they’ve spread. Our platform lets us understand precisely how cancer adapts and grows in different body environments, giving us unprecedented insights into stopping this deadly process.
How does your technology detect metastasis?
Dr. Arnab: We’ve created a unique platform that breaks metastasis into 30 detailed biological steps. We isolate and study these cells by collecting tumor samples from primary cancer patients using advanced machine learning algorithms. Our research revealed that the “adaptation” phase plays a critical 55% role in successful metastasis, which other researchers previously overlooked.
Using this understanding, we’ve developed proprietary animal models that can observe metastasis in just six weeks, dramatically reducing research timelines. We’ve identified new molecules that can completely inhibit and delay metastasis in animal studies. Additionally, we’re developing companion diagnostics to predict which patients are most likely to experience metastasis.
What makes your approach to cancer treatment different from most oncology startups?
Dr. Arnab: What sets us apart is our comprehensive approach. While most pharmaceutical companies have deprioritized metastasis research, we’ve spent five years understanding its intricate biology. We’re not just developing new drugs; we’re also repurposing existing approved drugs to make treatments more affordable, especially in countries like India, where advanced cancer treatments can cost up to 40 lakhs for just eight months of treatment.
Our goal isn’t just commercial success but creating a meaningful impact. We plan to generate revenue by outlicensing our technologies to US and European pharmaceutical companies while simultaneously developing affordable treatment options for patients in India.
What are your expansion plans?
Dr. Arnab: Our expansion strategy is two-pronged. First, we’re appointing an experienced business development executive in the US or Europe who understands the pharmaceutical landscape. Second, we’re preparing to file FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for our most promising clinical trial prospects.
The next step is assembling the regulatory dossiers with complete pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and validated preclinical data.
We’ve already aligned our lab standards with US and EU regulators’ expectations. Everything is timestamped, digitally stored, and fully auditable. We plan to complete these filings in the next 12 to 15 months, with clinical conversations starting shortly after. This isn’t just paperwork—it’s the bridge to commercial validation and serious global partnerships.
We’re also investing in a new 5000-square-foot laboratory to house our research facilities. This will help potential partners see our robust scientific infrastructure and data management processes, increasing their confidence in our approach.
What challenges have you had to overcome while building Mestastop?
Dr. Arnab: The biggest challenge was surviving the first three years when no one would invest in pure research. We faced significant skepticism as a deep-tech biotech startup focusing on understanding metastasis biology. However, we remained committed to our scientific approach, presenting our work at 15 international conferences and continuously refining our research.
Our resilience paid off. We’ve demonstrated proof of concept in discovery, diagnostics, and drug repurposing. By staying focused on our mission and maintaining scientific integrity, we’ve transformed initial challenges into opportunities for groundbreaking research.
Meet our Interviewer – Shabaz Khan, Marketing Manager at GreyB
Shabaz Khan, Marketing Manager
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