Cancer is ranked as one of the biggest causes of death worldwide. The National Cancer Institute reported nearly 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths worldwide in 2022, with 29.9 million new cases projected to rise by 2040.
Spin-off from Nagoya University in Japan in 2018, Kraif is developing AI-powered early cancer detection software using MicroRNA (miRNA), raising $22 million in Series C funding to expand further into the US market and boosting R&D.
Craif co-founder and CEO Ryuichi Onose told TechCrunch that the company completed its Series C funding round at a valuation of just under $100 million.
Existing investors X&KSK led the latest funds. This has increased to a total of $57 million so far, along with initial investments in US-based investors, Japanese startups, Towns Institute, Daiwa House Industry and Azora Bank Group.
Kraif’s journey began when Onose saw how deeply impacted both his grandparents, who were diagnosed with illness, had on his family. These personal experiences have stimulated a strong commitment to addressing cancer issues. Onose and Takao Yasui, associate professors at Nagoya University, co-founded Craif just a month after they met. Yasui had created a new method for early cancer detection using urinary biomarkers.
According to Onose, early detection of treatable conditions can be difficult, as traditional diagnostic methods such as blood tests are invasive and allow some people to avoid regular screening. Additionally, due to limited access to medical facilities in certain regions, Onose says it is difficult for individuals to obtain cancer tests easily.
Kraif aims to address these gaps by providing non-invasive urine-based testing that allows early cancer detection, even at very early stages, like Stage 1.
“The test can be conducted from the comfort of the patient’s home, facilitating advanced MicroRNA analysis and making early detection more accessible and effective,” Onose said. “Our users are health-conscious individuals who are concerned about cancer but find it difficult to commit to traditional screening due to time, cost and accessibility constraints.”
We have created several platforms for early cancer detection in the industry, including Grail, Freenome, Delfi Diagnostics, and ClearNote Health.
Craif, like most competitors, uses MicroRNA as a biomarker instead of CfDNA (cell-free DNA), distinguishing itself by utilizing urine.
“Milna, which gained recognition after being linked to the 2024 Nobel Prize, is known for her deep involvement in cancer biology even in the early stages,” Onose explained. “Unlike CFDNA, miRNAs are actively secreted by early cancer cells, making them particularly suitable for early cancer detection.”
Another unique aspect of its product is its use of urine. Onose said urine is easy and invasive, offering many scientific and practical benefits. He added that it has fewer impurities than other samples, making the biomarker signal more clear. This reduces measurement errors, similar to those caused by hemolysis in the blood, and saves money on testing.
Misignal, the first product of Craif, a test that detects the risk of seven different cancers (pancreas, colorectal, lung, stomach, esophageal breast, ovaries) using urinary miRNAs, is already making money in Japan. The product is distributed through clinics, pharmacies, consumer sales and corporate wellness programs, providing a variety of revenue streams that can be expanded, according to the CEO.
“We partner with over 1,000 medical institutions and around 600 pharmacies in Japan, serving around 20,000 users. Our team consists of 73 dedicated employees,” Onose told TechCrunch.
Revenue Model offers both single tests and subscription packages for regular testing, with many users choosing a subscription plan. It has recorded $5 million in revenue in 2024 and aims to generate $15 million by the end of this year, Onose told TechCrunch.
Craig is trying to expand the scope of misdirection to include more than 10 types of cancer next year. Additionally, startups are preparing to use their technology for early detection of non-cancerous diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia.
Craif will have an R&D lab in Irvine, California and will open another office in San Diego to handle the operations of the business.
The new funding will help startups enter the US market with disaster, aiming to complete a US trial at the end of 2026 and get FDA approval in 2027.
Already, they have started collecting pancreatic cancer samples in 15 US states in collaboration with 30 healthcare institutions.