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Gregor Diagnostics is a molecular diagnostics company based in Madison, Wisconsin, developing a groundbreaking screening test for prostate cancer that utilizes seminal fluid as a sample source. This patient-friendly test aims to detect prostate cancer at its earliest stages and differentiate between indolent and aggressive forms, thereby reducing overdiagnosis and overtreatment in clinical practice. Operating as a biotech startup, Gregor Diagnostics licenses key intellectual property for prostate cancer biomarkers from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), which also functions as an investor and entered an exclusive agreement with the company in September 2017. The technology is based on discoveries by David Jarrard, with the company led by founder and CEO Tobias Zutz, who previously worked at Exact Sciences. Gregor Diagnostics recently earned a Bronze Award in the "Innovations" category at the 2024 Merit Awards for Healthcare. The organization was founded in February 2016 by Tobias Zutz.
Gregor Diagnostics has raised $900K across 1 funding round.
Gregor Diagnostics has raised $900K in total across 1 funding round.
Gregor Diagnostics has raised $900K in total across 1 funding round.
Gregor Diagnostics's investors include Bedrock Capital, First Round Capital, Innovation Endeavors, Long Journey Ventures, SparkLabs Global Ventures, Bradley Horowitz, Marc Benioff, Mark Cuban, Scott Banister.
Gregor Diagnostics has raised $900K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $900K Seed in July 2018.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2018 | $900K Seed | — | Bedrock Capital, First Round Capital, Innovation Endeavors, Long Journey Ventures, SparkLabs Global Ventures, Bradley Horowitz, Marc Benioff, Mark Cuban, Scott Banister | Announced |
Gregor Diagnostics is a molecular diagnostics company developing a non-invasive, semen-based screening test for prostate cancer that distinguishes between no cancer, indolent cancer, and aggressive cancer in asymptomatic patients.[1][2][3] Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, the company targets the healthcare sector, addressing overdiagnosis and overtreatment issues with current PSA-based methods by using seminal fluid as a sample source.[1][3][4] Founded in 2016, it has raised approximately $11.29M in total funding (with varying reports from $2.9M to $6.9M across sources), remains in the debt/alive stage, and has garnered investments from First Round Capital, Healthcare Wildcatters, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), and others.[1][2][3]
The test aims to improve screening rates for prostate cancer—the most diagnosed cancer in men and second-leading killer—by offering higher accuracy and patient-friendliness over biopsies or blood tests.[1][3] Growth includes seed financing closes (e.g., $900K in 2018), presentations at pitch events like MedCity INVEST (2020) and Healthcare Wildcatters (2017), initial study publications, and plans for an FDA pivotal trial.[1][2][3]
Gregor Diagnostics was founded in February 2016 by Tobias Zutz, who holds a BS in Biochemistry and Genetics from UW–Madison and served as a Senior Research Associate in R&D at Exact Sciences, contributing to the Cologuard colorectal cancer screening test.[2][3][5] In 2015, seeking a new challenge amid declining prostate cancer screening rates post-2008, Zutz collaborated with WARF's Jennifer Gottwald to review patent portfolios.[3] This led to licensing methylated DNA biomarkers for prostate cancer discovered by David Jarrard at UW–Madison's Carbone Cancer Center.[3]
Zutz, now CEO and CTO, assembled a strong team including Steven Weinstein (former Neuroscience Product Development Lead at Genentech) as CEO at one point, and Duncan Whitney (former Head of Early Detection Lung Cancer Initiative at Johnson & Johnson) as Chief Scientific Officer.[2] Early traction included WARF investment, use of UW–Madison core facilities for cost-effective R&D, initial findings publications, and a second study launch in March (pre-2020).[3] Pivotal moments: $900K seed close in 2018 and pitch event participations.[2]
Gregor rides the precision oncology wave, where molecular diagnostics shift from broad markers like PSA to biomarker-driven tests that enable risk-stratified care.[1][3] Timing aligns with post-2008 screening controversies, as PSA limitations caused rate drops despite prostate cancer's prevalence; their test could revive participation by minimizing false positives.[3] Market tailwinds include rising demand for non-invasive cancer screening (e.g., like Cologuard's success), FDA pushes for better diagnostics, and biotech hubs like Madison's BioForward ecosystem.[3][6]
The company influences by advancing seminal fluid as a novel biofluid source, potentially inspiring similar innovations in urology and beyond, while WARF's role exemplifies university tech transfer fueling startups.[3] In Wisconsin's biohealth cluster, it contributes to economic impact via jobs, funding, and trials.[6]
Gregor Diagnostics stands out for tackling a high-burden cancer with elegant biology, poised for inflection via FDA pivotal trials, clinical partnerships, and fresh fundraising.[1][3] Next: Large-scale asymptomatic patient studies, regulatory clearance, and commercialization to boost screening adoption.[3] Trends like AI-enhanced biomarkers and liquid biopsy expansion will amplify their edge, potentially evolving them into a urologic diagnostics leader amid growing personalized medicine demand. This Madison-rooted innovator could redefine prostate cancer care, echoing Zutz's Cologuard roots in non-invasive breakthroughs.[3]
