CancerX Unveils 2025 Accelerator to Propel Oncology Innovation
CancerX, a public-private partnership aimed at accelerating cancer innovation, has announced the launch of its 2025 Accelerator cohort. This year’s group includes a remarkable selection of digital health and artificial intelligence startups committed to tackling key challenges in oncology. The focus of the 2025 cohort will be on enhancing cancer care by improving treatment access, expediting clinical trials, and delivering personalized, connected care to patients beyond traditional clinical settings.
The CancerX Accelerator is a premier initiative designed to bridge the gap between emerging oncology innovations and the real-world needs of healthcare organizations. This flagship program connects startups with Champion organizations—industry leaders that guide and support the growth of these young companies by providing mentorship, product feedback, pilot opportunities, and commercial partnerships. The program spans four months and offers a comprehensive weekly curriculum covering four main areas: collaborating with health systems, navigating industry partnerships, working with public sector entities, and scaling businesses in the oncology space through an insightful speaker series.
According to Rasu Shrestha, MD, MBA, Chief Innovation and Commercialization Officer at Advocate Health, the Accelerator is built on the belief that innovation flourishes when startups are backed by the right mentors and champions. These champions act as valuable allies, helping startups scale more quickly and effectively than they could on their own. Advocate Health, a longtime champion, has seen firsthand the tangible benefits of the Accelerator.
The 2024 cohort saw remarkable outcomes, with participating startups raising over $40 million, signing 11 commercial agreements, and completing several successful pilot programs. Encouraged by these results, CancerX has expanded the number of champions involved in the 2025 program, providing even more opportunities for startups to partner with key players in the oncology field.
The 2025 CancerX Accelerator cohort promises to build on this success with a unique matchmaking process that connects startups with champions based on their specific needs and goals. The program received over 100 applications, followed by 47 live pitch sessions and 45 judges from more than 14 different organizations. Ultimately, 14 startups were selected for this year’s cohort, chosen for their alignment with CancerX’s mission and the strong support they have received from champion organizations.
Notable organizations involved this year include Moffitt Cancer Center, Advocate Health, Oncology Ventures, MassChallenge, and the Assistant Secretary of Technology Policy. In addition, CancerX has expanded its network to include prestigious names such as Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), Johnson & Johnson, Elevance, Innsena, CEI Ventures, Flare Capital Partners, Mercury, and KidsX—a nationally recognized pediatric innovation hub. Through this partnership with KidsX, startups in the 2025 cohort will benefit from tailored mentorship in pediatric oncology, giving them additional resources to address the unique challenges in this specialized field.
CancerX’s impact is measurable and significant. Past Accelerator cohorts have forged meaningful partnerships with health systems, raised capital, and accelerated clinical trials for innovative therapies. Startups have gained critical support from mentors and experts, helping them refine their technologies and scale their solutions for broader use in oncology care. These collaborations have led to tangible results in improving cancer treatment and care delivery.
One startup that has benefited from this program is First Ascent, led by CEO Jim Foote. “We are thrilled to be part of the CancerX Accelerator cohort,” said Foote. “This program has given us unprecedented access to key stakeholders across the clinical, pharmaceutical, and patient advocacy sectors. With nine champions across the ecosystem, including seven health systems and hospitals, the level of interest and support we’ve received is extraordinary.”
The CancerX Accelerator continues to position itself as a catalyst for the next wave of innovation in oncology. By offering startups critical resources, mentorship, and access to the right partnerships, the program helps bring groundbreaking solutions to the forefront of cancer care. Through this initiative, CancerX is driving real-world impact and improving the lives of patients and healthcare providers alike.
As the 2025 cohort takes shape, CancerX is poised to continue its mission of transforming cancer care through innovation, collaboration, and a strong focus on delivering tangible results. The program’s ability to connect the right innovators with the right resources and opportunities is essential for advancing the fight against cancer, and the 2025 cohort is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of oncology.
