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AOA Dx

operating company · company profile

Denver · 16 people tracked

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Investment thesis

AOA Dx invests in advancing early cancer detection through multi-omic blood-based diagnostics. The company leverages liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology and machine learning to identify tumor-associated gangliosides as biomarkers for detecting ovarian cancer at early stages. The approach combines scientific collaboration with academic institutions, peer-reviewed research validation, and clinical studies to establish real-world diagnostic efficacy.

Source: firm website, verified Sep 26, 2026.

HQ
Denver, US
Founded
2020

Team · 16 people

from the firm's website
Alex Fisher· Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founderin

Co-founder and COO overseeing operations, finance, legal and fundraising, with a background launching UK medical device and diagnostics sales companies. He holds a degree and MSc from the University of Southampton and University College London.

Anna Jeter· Chief Regulatory Officer & Co-Founderin

Co-founder and Chief Regulatory Officer leading development of the GlycoLocate platform, with experience in FDA submissions (510(k), PMA, CLIA) and launching diagnostics globally. She was named to Inc.'s 2022 Female Founders 100 List.

Oriana Papin-Zoghbi· Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founderin𝕏

Co-founder and CEO of AOA Dx, a leader in women's health and diagnostics recognized in Inc's 2022 Top 100 Female Founders for her work in ovarian cancer diagnosis. She holds a degree in Economics and International Relations from Boston University.

Abby McElhinny· Chief Scientific Officerin

CSO with nearly two decades leading oncology-focused R&D teams across research, regulatory submission and product launches. She earned her PhD at Northeastern University and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Arizona.

Cory Bystrom· Senior Director, Biomarker & Analytical Developmentin

Bioanalytical and proteomics expert with over 25 years advancing mass spectrometry-based diagnostics, with prior roles at Quest Diagnostics, Cleveland HeartLab, Ultragenyx and Cedars-Sinai. He holds a PhD from the University of Oregon.

Drew Watson· Clinical Advisorin

Drew Watson works in biostatistics, machine learning, and personalized medicine. He founded Nephrosant, a molecular diagnostics company focused on kidney health, and advises companies in personalized medicine, diagnostics, and pharmaceutical development. His earlier oncology work included contributing to the development of Oncotype DX for breast cancer and diagnostic tests for several other cancers. Before entering diagnostics, he advised international companies on quality management under Dr. W. Edwards Deming. He holds a BS in Statistics from California State University East Bay, an MS in Statistical Computing from Stanford University, a PhD in Biostatistics from UCLA, and an MBA from Golden Gate University.

Elizabeth Yarber· Senior Director of Clinical Operationsin

Clinical operations executive with over 15 years leading global clinical programs across biotech, diagnostics and medical devices. She holds degrees from Saint Louis University plus PMP and CCRP certifications.

Emily Chang· Director, R&Din

Diagnostics development leader with over 12 years in IVD assay development and design control, with prior roles at Thermo Fisher, PGDx, Precision for Medicine and Exact Sciences. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and MIT.

James White· Scientific Advisor

Computational biologist and biostatistician with expertise in genomics and microbiome science, founder of Resphera Biosciences. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Maryland.

John Friedman· Board Member

Founding and Managing Partner of Easton Capital Investment Group with roughly 20 years of investing experience and prior roles at Warburg Pincus and Security Pacific Capital Investors. He holds degrees from Yale College and Yale Law School.

Katrin Eurich· Clinical Advisor

Board-certified Gynecologic Oncologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at UT Health San Antonio, with expertise in advanced pelvic surgery and research into cost-effectiveness and financial toxicity in cancer care.

Kevin Elias· Clinical Advisor

Physician-scientist and practicing gynecologic oncologist at Cleveland Clinic focused on translational medicine and early cancer detection, with training from Harvard, Vanderbilt, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber and MIT.

Kim Ekroos· Scientific Advisorin

Pioneer in lipidomics with over two decades in academia, biotech and regulatory science, founder of Lipidomics Consulting Ltd. and President of the International Lipidomics Society. He earned his PhD from the Technical University of Dresden.

Surbhi Sarna· Board Member

Founder and former CEO of nVision Medical (acquired by Boston Scientific in 2018 for $275M) and Y Combinator's first healthcare and biotech partner, she sits on multiple boards.

Uri Saragovi· Inventor

World-leading translational medicine scientist with over 200 publications and 21 patents, focused on targeting gangliosides for cancer diagnosis and therapy. He is based at McGill University and the Lady Davis Institute in Montreal.

Vuna Fa· Senior Director of R&Din

Diagnostics R&D leader with experience at Ventana Medical Systems (Roche), Personal Genome Diagnostics and Exact Sciences. He leads AOA's R&D team advancing LC-MS and immunoassay technologies and holds degrees from Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.

Founder mafia

3 people who came through AOA Dx went on to found or lead other companies.

Frequently asked questions

What sectors does AOA Dx focus on?
AOA Dx focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Digital Health, FemTech, Medical Devices.
Where is AOA Dx located?
AOA Dx is headquartered in Denver, US.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

AOA Dx: A breakthrough in early ovarian cancer detection

Dr Fiona Pathiraja-Møller · Oriana Papin-Zoghbi · linkedin.com

Transforming Women's Health Through Innovation with Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, CEO & Co-Founder of AOA Dx

Building Biotechs Podcast by Recruitomics · Oriana Papin-Zoghbi

Meet YC: Interview with Oriana Papin-Zoghbi of AOA Dx (YC S21)

Y Combinator · Oriana Papin-Zoghbi

AOA Dx is Attempting To Diagnose Ovarian Cancer

FemTech Focus · Oriana Papin-Zoghbi

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