Cancer Care Company Encapsulate Secures Millions in Funding, Expands Clinical Trials and Launches Research on International Space Station

Biochip-based cancer care company Encapsulate has rapidly expanded its research and development, securing $5.88 million in funding and launching groundbreaking studies both on Earth and aboard the International Space Station, potentially revolutionizing personalized cancer treatment.

Founded in 2019 by Armin Rad and Leila Daneshmandi, both Ph.D. graduates, Encapsulate’s technology replicates individual patient’s cancer tumors on a biochip to predict treatment responses, moving away from traditional “treat-and-wait” methods. The company recently completed pilot clinical studies on gastrointestinal cancers and is now initiating multi-site trials at UConn Health, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Moffitt Cancer Center. “Too much of cancer therapy still follows a ‘treat-and-wait’ playbook; reacting to the disease and staying a step behind,” says Rad. “We’re shifting to a more rigorous, predictive, and comprehensive paradigm.”

Encapsulate’s growth has been fueled by a $1.8 million seed round closed in November 2024, along with a $1.25 million Small Business Innovation Research award from the National Science Foundation and significant grants from NASA totaling $4.63 million. Notably, the company has also conducted experiments on the International Space Station, utilizing microgravity to allow tumor cells to grow in 3D configurations more closely mimicking their behavior within the human body – a key advantage over traditional 2D cell cultures. This research builds on the growing field of space-based cancer research, offering unique insights into disease progression and treatment resistance.

Daneshmandi, now an assistant professor-in-residence at UConn, emphasizes the importance of mentorship and giving back to the university community. “I teach courses and develop programs based on what I’ve learned from my lived experience, and I think that resonates with students,” she says. Encapsulate aims to have its first product ready for clinical use within the next two to three years, continuing studies both on the ground and in space.