Jeff Huber, co-founder and general partner at Triatomic Capital, shares his career journey from tech to biotech. He discusses early cancer detection, using computers to enhance business processes, approaches to cancer treatment, and the development of a new cancer screening method. The chapter also examines the acquisition of Grail by Illumina and the regulatory challenges. Jeff also shares his inspiring adventure in Everest Base Camp and highlights the progress and impact in the biotech industry.
Early cancer detection using deep sequencing technology has the potential to save millions of lives.
The GRAIL test accurately predicts the tissue of origin for different types of cancer, making it directly actionable.
Despite its positive impact, the availability of the commercially launched GRAIL test is hindered by regulatory concerns and high pricing.
Deep dives
The Accidental Discovery at Illumina
During Jeff's time on the board of Illumina, an incidental discovery was made of undiagnosed cancer in pregnant mothers.
The Potential of Early Cancer Detection
The discovery of undiagnosed cancer prompted Jeff to explore the potential of early cancer detection using deep sequencing technology.
The Formation of Grail
Jeff decided to spin out the cancer detection project from Illumina, forming Grail with the belief that it could save millions of lives.
Building Trust Through Rigor and Transparency
Grail focused on earning trust by ensuring a rigorous and transparent approach to clinical studies, engaging with the FDA, and publishing data as they progressed.
The GRAIL test: Achieving high accuracy and specificity
The commercially launched GRAIL test has achieved a high level of sensitivity and specificity in detecting cancer. Using methylation and methylation signatures, the test is able to accurately predict the tissue of origin for different types of cancer, making it directly actionable. While the sensitivity of the test varies across the 50 cancer types, it has shown to catch cancers that currently have no screening paradigms. The test's specificity is 99.5%, significantly reducing false positives and avoiding unnecessary anxiety and treatments.
Regulation, cost, and accessibility of the GRAIL test
The commercially available GRAIL test, priced at $950, is being offered by self-insured employers, concierge doctors, and life insurance companies. However, the test should ultimately be reimbursed and made more affordable and accessible to a broader population. Despite the positive impact and potential to save lives, regulatory authorities, such as the FTC and the EU, have raised concerns about the deal between GRAIL and Illumina, alleging anti-competitive practices. This has resulted in delays and challenges in making the test widely available. The venture capital firm Triatomic Capital aims to invest in century-defining biotech companies, leveraging data-centric approaches and applied AI in fields like engineered biology to drive progress and impact.
