High-Level Overview
Delee is a medical device startup building a blood-testing platform for the early diagnosis of cancer and real-time monitoring of treatment response. Its core product is an automated device that isolates and analyzes circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from a standard blood sample, enabling a minimally invasive “liquid biopsy” approach. By detecting CTCs shed from solid tumors, Delee’s technology aims to identify cancer at earlier stages and provide clinicians with actionable data to personalize therapy and track its effectiveness over time.
The company serves oncologists, cancer centers, and diagnostic laboratories, particularly in Latin America, where access to advanced cancer diagnostics is often limited. Delee solves a critical gap in oncology: the lack of sensitive, specific, and accessible blood tests for early cancer detection and dynamic treatment monitoring. Since its founding in 2017 and participation in Y Combinator’s Winter 2017 batch, Delee has advanced its technology to a fully functional, patent-pending device and is conducting clinical validation trials in breast and prostate cancer, signaling strong technical and clinical momentum.
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Origin Story
Delee was founded in 2017 in Monterrey, Mexico, by Liza Velarde, Alejandro Abarca-Blanco, and Juan Felipe Yee De León, who shared a vision to transform cancer care through accessible, high-performance diagnostics. The idea emerged from the recognition that traditional cancer diagnosis relies heavily on invasive tissue biopsies and imaging, which are often late-stage interventions with limited utility for continuous monitoring. The founders saw an opportunity to leverage advances in microfluidics and cellular analysis to create a simple blood test that could detect cancer earlier and support personalized treatment decisions.
The team’s early focus was on circulating tumor cells (CTCs)—rare cancer cells that break off from tumors and circulate in the bloodstream. By designing a device that could reliably capture and analyze these cells, Delee aimed to bring liquid biopsy capabilities to regions underserved by cutting-edge oncology tools. Their progress earned them a spot in Y Combinator’s Winter 2017 batch, validating their technical approach and go-to-market potential. Since then, Delee has grown to a team of around 18 and advanced its device through prototype development into clinical validation, positioning itself as a serious player in the next generation of cancer diagnostics.
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Core Differentiators
- CTC-Centric Liquid Biopsy: Unlike many liquid biopsy companies that focus on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), Delee isolates intact circulating tumor cells, which can be used for morphological, phenotypic, and molecular analysis, offering richer biological insights.
- High Sensitivity & Specificity: The device is designed to capture CTCs with high efficiency and specificity, using a size- and deformability-based microfiltration method that minimizes contamination from blood cells.
- Fully Automated Workflow: From sample preparation to CTC analysis, the entire process is automated, reducing human error, improving reproducibility, and making the platform suitable for routine clinical use.
- Cell Recovery for Downstream Analysis: Captured CTCs remain viable and intact, enabling further molecular profiling (e.g., genotyping, protein expression) to guide targeted therapies and treatment selection.
- Focus on Emerging Markets: Delee is tailored for broader adoption in Latin America and similar regions, where cost, infrastructure, and access constraints limit the use of high-end diagnostics, giving it a strategic edge in underserved but high-need markets.
- Broad Cancer Applicability: While initially validating in prostate and breast cancer, the technology is designed to be adaptable across multiple solid tumor types, including lung, colorectal, ovarian, and others.
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Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
Delee is riding the global shift toward liquid biopsy and precision oncology, where non-invasive, repeatable tests are replacing or complementing traditional biopsies. The timing is critical: as cancer incidence rises worldwide—especially in emerging economies—and healthcare systems face pressure to deliver earlier, more personalized care, tools like Delee’s become essential. The company sits at the intersection of several powerful trends: miniaturized medical devices, automation in diagnostics, and the democratization of advanced healthcare technologies.
In Latin America, where Delee is based, the impact could be particularly transformative. By bringing CTC-based liquid biopsy to a region with limited access to such tools, Delee is not just building a product but helping to reshape the regional oncology ecosystem. It also contributes to a broader movement of healthtech startups in emerging markets that are solving local problems with globally relevant technologies. As liquid biopsy evolves from a niche research tool to a standard of care, Delee’s focus on automation, usability, and affordability positions it to influence how cancer is detected and managed in resource-constrained settings.
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Quick Take & Future Outlook
Delee is poised to become a key enabler of early cancer detection and personalized oncology in Latin America and beyond. In the near term, the company’s success will hinge on completing clinical validation in breast and prostate cancer and securing regulatory approvals to commercialize its device. A clear path to reimbursement and partnerships with labs and hospitals will be critical for scaling.
Looking ahead, Delee could expand into multi-cancer early detection (MCED) by combining CTC analysis with other biomarkers, or move into companion diagnostics for targeted therapies. Strategic partnerships with global diagnostics players or pharma companies could accelerate adoption and broaden its reach. As liquid biopsy becomes standard in oncology workflows, Delee’s focus on automation, cell recovery, and accessibility may give it a durable edge—especially in markets where cost and infrastructure are major constraints.
Just as the founders set out to change how cancer is detected and monitored, Delee now has the chance to help redefine what’s possible in cancer care across emerging markets, turning a once-elusive vision of early, blood-based cancer diagnosis into a practical clinical reality.
