Canadian biotech startup Afynia Laboratories, a spin-out from McMaster University, has raised $5 million in seed funding to accelerate the commercialization of EndomiR—a microRNA-based blood test designed to diagnose endometriosis more accurately and non-invasively.
Endometriosis affects approximately 200 million people globally, often resulting in chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and delayed treatment due to diagnosis timelines that can stretch from several years to over a decade. Afynia’s innovative blood test could drastically shorten this window, allowing quicker access to treatment for millions.
A New Frontier in Women’s Health
Co-founded by Dr. Lauren Foster and Dr. Jocelyn Wessels, Afynia’s foundation lies in decades of academic research on ovarian regulation and endometriosis at McMaster. Dr. Foster, a seasoned research scientist and former professor, emphasized the complexity of endometriosis, calling it a syndrome rather than a single disease.
“We recognized that we needed to go beyond just a single biomarker,” said Foster. “By targeting different aspects of the disease, like inflammation, new nerve growth, and blood vessel formation, our microRNA panel offers higher consistency and reliability.”
EndomiR uses an algorithm to detect expression levels of specific microRNA molecules in a patient’s blood, comparing the results to those of individuals with surgically confirmed cases of endometriosis. Unlike protein-based tests, microRNAs are more biologically stable, offering more accurate diagnostic signals.
Academic Roots with Commercial Vision
Afynia’s transition from academia to entrepreneurship stemmed from Dr. Foster’s frustration with traditional pharmaceutical licensing pathways. “We realized the most effective way to bring this test to the people who need it was to do it ourselves,” she said.
The startup initially launched under the name AIMA in November 2021 and has since rebranded to Afynia, reflecting its focus on accessible, science-driven women’s health solutions.
Dr. Jake Prigoff, Afynia’s Chief Medical Officer, highlighted the team’s academic foundation as a key differentiator:
“We are really the first group that found this as part of an academic lab, recognized its utility, and decided to bring it to market.”
Regulatory Path & Market Launch
Afynia plans to roll out EndomiR in Canada as its first market, pending regulatory clearance expected within the next three months. The U.S. launch is scheduled for early next year.
Although full validation data is under wraps, Prigoff says the team is “confident” in the test’s clinical performance. The startup is currently working through Canada’s regulatory approval process for a laboratory-developed test (LDT) and aims to target use cases involving chronic pelvic pain and infertility—conditions where early diagnosis can significantly improve quality of life.
The current version of EndomiR requires a standard blood draw, but Afynia is also exploring finger-prick formats for future iterations to further reduce barriers to testing.
Competing in a Crowded but Crucial Space
Afynia joins a growing list of startups aiming to improve women’s health diagnostics through non-invasive means. Competitors include California-based NextGen Jane, which uses menstrual blood, and DotLab, which also employs blood-based testing.
But Prigoff believes Afynia has the edge:
“We’re striking the right balance between trustworthy diagnostics, minimally invasive sampling, and scalable cost structures. Patients trust blood tests more than alternatives like saliva or AI imaging—and so do clinicians.”
Backing the Science
The $5 million seed round was led by Bio-Rad Laboratories, a global manufacturer of lab testing kits, with participation from Impact America Fund, SOSV, the Capital Angel Network, and Gaingels. Prior to this, Afynia had raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding, including support from McMaster University and early-stage investors.
With plans to expand its microRNA panel approach to other women’s health conditions, Afynia’s long-term vision is to build a robust pipeline of tests powered by cutting-edge genomics and real-world clinical application.
As endometriosis sufferers worldwide await faster, more accurate solutions, Afynia’s technology could represent a game-changing step forward—transforming years of pain and misdiagnosis into early intervention and hope.
