Fundraising Fox

Duo Oncology

Pittsburgh, US · Founded 2020 · Delaware corporation · 4 employees on LinkedIn · 4 known investors

Duo Oncology is a clinical-stage company developing tumor-activated prodrug combinations intended to replace toxic multi-agent chemotherapy with single medicines that concentrate activity in tumors. Its lead candidate, DUO-207, combines gemcitabine and paclitaxel into a single-infusion prodrug positioned as a chemotherapy backbone for use with KRAS inhibitors in solid tumors such as pancreatic, lung, and breast cancer.

BiotechHealthtech

Founders & leadership

Duo Oncology was founded in 2020 by SONG LI, SAM ROTHSTEIN, JING-ZHOU HOU, and Sam Rothstein.

SL
SONG LICo-founder
SR
SAM ROTHSTEINCo-founder
JH
JING-ZHOU HOUCo-founder
SRSam Rothstein
Sam RothsteinCEO & Cofounder
KE
KATHERINE EICHINGERExecutive
KEKatherine Eichinger
Katherine EichingerChief Operating Officer
ST
STEPHEN THORNENamed on SEC filing

Board

JGJOE GATTO
JOE GATTOinBoard directorManaging Director at SeedFolio
SM
STANLEY MARKSBoard director
LL
LUSONG LUOBoard director
VM
VICTORIA MANAXBoard director

Investors · 4

Ulu Ventures✓ verifiedPalo Alto · $2M
Innovation Works✓ verifiedPittsburgh · $100K – $300K
NuFund Venture Group✓ verifiedSan Diego · $1M
NuFundreportedSan Diego

Reported raises · per SEC filings

Form D private placements

$7M disclosed across 3 rounds · 2021–2025

▶$1.6MraisedAug 2026 · 13 investors · Pharmaceuticals
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • SAM ROTHSTEINExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • JING-ZHOU HOUExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • STEPHEN THORNEExecutive Officer, Promoter
  • SONG LIDirector, Promoter
  • STANLEY MARKSDirector
  • LUSONG LUODirector
  • JOE GATTODirector
  • VICTORIA MANAXDirector
  • KATHERINE EICHINGERExecutive Officer
Offering amount
$3.5M
Amount sold
$1.6M
Minimum investment
$25K
Proceeds to insiders
$200K
First sale
Jun 2025
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$4.3MraisedAug 2023 · 14 investors · Pharmaceuticals
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • JING-ZHOU HOUExecutive Officer, Promoter
  • JINGJING SUNPromoter
  • SAM ROTHSTEINExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • SONG LIDirector, Promoter
  • STEPHEN THORNEExecutive Officer, Promoter
  • ROBERT ASHLEYDirector
  • STANLEY MARKSDirector
Offering amount
$4.3M
Amount sold
$4.3M
Minimum investment
$25K
Proceeds to insiders
$150K
First sale
Jan 2023
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2020
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$1.1MraisedFeb 2021 · 1 investors · Pharmaceuticals
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • JINGJING SUNPromoter
  • SONG LIDirector, Promoter
  • STEPHEN THORNEExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • JING-ZHOU HOUExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • SAM ROTHSTEINExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • STANLEY MARKSDirector
Offering amount
$1.5M
Amount sold
$1.1M
Proceeds to insiders
$145K
First sale
Feb 2021
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2020
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Competitors · 2

by search overlap
Doximity3 shared keywordsDoximity is the largest verified network of healthcare professionals in the U.S., connecting physicians, PAs, NPs, pharmacists, and medical students across specialties and care settings. The platform provides mobile-first tools for clinical communication, collaboration, and workflow optimization.
Practo3 shared keywordsPracto is a healthcare platform offering online video consultations with verified doctors across specialties and appointment booking for in-clinic visits. It serves patients in India, connecting them with doctors across areas such as dentistry, gynecology, pediatrics, and general medicine.

Companies competing with Duo Oncology for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.

Non-dilutive funding · 1 SBIR/STTR award

Federal grants — no equity taken
AgencyPhaseYearAmount
National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of HealthPhase ISTTR2023$395K

Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.

In the news

Fighting Cancer: Pitt Startup Duo Oncology Prepares for Nanomedicine Clinical Trialsinnovation.pitt.edu · Apr 2025Pittsburgh Money Moves: Astrobotic won a NASA grant, Duo Oncology raised $3M and moretechnical.ly · Aug 2023Duo Oncology raises $3M in seed round, here's what's next - Pittsburgh Business Timesbizjournals.com · Aug 2023Duo Oncology Closes $3M Series Seed — Duo Oncologyduooncology.com · Aug 2023

Frequently asked questions

What does Duo Oncology do?
Duo Oncology is a clinical-stage company developing tumor-activated prodrug combinations intended to replace toxic multi-agent chemotherapy with single medicines that concentrate activity in tumors. Its lead candidate, DUO-207, combines gemcitabine and paclitaxel into a single-infusion prodrug positioned as a chemotherapy backbone for use with KRAS inhibitors in solid tumors such as pancreatic, lung, and breast cancer.
Who founded Duo Oncology?
Duo Oncology was founded by SONG LI, SAM ROTHSTEIN, JING-ZHOU HOU, Sam Rothstein in 2020.
Who are Duo Oncology's investors?
Duo Oncology's investors include Ulu Ventures, Innovation Works, NuFund Venture Group, NuFund.
How much funding has Duo Oncology raised?
Duo Oncology has disclosed $7M raised across 3 rounds.
Where is Duo Oncology headquartered?
Duo Oncology is headquartered in Pittsburgh, US.