Mumbai-based startup CURO Biosciences Private Limited, also known as ErlySign, has secured Rs 16 crore in pre-Series A funding from renowned investor Ashish Kacholia. This significant funding milestone is a testament to the company’s revolutionary approach to early cancer detection.  

The investment, advised by DerivativeSaint, a boutique private equity and venture capital advisory firm, marks a pivotal moment for CURO Biosciences. The company is poised to disrupt the global diagnostics market, which is projected to reach $250 billion by 2030.  

At the core of ErlySign’s innovation is a biomarker-based test kit capable of detecting oral precancerous conditions within just 15 minutes using a simple, non-invasive saliva sample. This groundbreaking solution addresses the limitations of current diagnostic methods, which are often painful, time-consuming, and expensive. ErlySign's test kit promises a painless, affordable, and immediate alternative for early cancer detection, offering hope for timely intervention and improved survival rates.  

The company’s technology has achieved key milestones, including securing an Indian patent in 2022 and a US patent in 2023, underscoring its pioneering role in cancer diagnostics.  

Speaking about the progress, Shubhendra Singh Thakur, CEO and Founder of ErlySign, said, “Our initial studies revealed exceptional results, achieving 100% specificity and 98.04% sensitivity. The product, now in the final stages of clinical trials across multiple HCG sites, promises to be a game-changer. Beyond early detection, it will serve as a critical screening tool to eliminate unnecessary biopsies and invasive procedures.”  

The funding will be instrumental in finalising clinical trials, securing CDSCO approvals, and bringing ErlySign’s oral cancer detection kit to market. Additionally, it will support research and development, team expansion, and further patent filings.  

Looking ahead, ErlySign has ambitious plans to leverage CRISPR miRNA-based testing technology to detect multiple types of cancer using the same saliva sample within 15–20 minutes.