The only human-first, spatially intelligent platform that replaces years of guesswork and failed translation with definitive answers from real patient tumors.

We combine fresh human tumor slices, thousands of outcome-annotated clinical FFPE specimens, ultra-deep immune profiling, and proprietary AI to quantify hundreds of actionable spatial features.

From target validation to companion diagnostics, every critical decision in immuno-oncology is now made on actual human tissue, not cell lines or mice.

Result: higher hit rates, fewer Phase 2 flops, accelerated timelines, and response-enriched trials.

One platform. Dozens of patients per run. Answers in weeks.

Voyant Bio Selected for Merck Digital Sciences Studio

Voyant Bio is proud to announce its acceptance into the latest cohort of the Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDS Studio), a digital accelerator designed to enable the next generation of technologies for drug discovery and development, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. MDS Studio was founded to offer support for early-stage biomedical startups providing strategic guidance, direct investment, and connection opportunities within Merck.

About Merck Digital Sciences Studio
The Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDS Studio or MDSS), a collaboration between Merck, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Northpond Ventures, McKesson Ventures, Microsoft for Startups, and the New Jersey Innovation Institute, a New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) subsidiary. The 10-month startup accelerator program, with direct investments from Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Northpond Ventures, and McKesson Ventures, empowers members and enables the generation of innovative digital technologies for drug discovery and development through hands-on mentorship, connection opportunities with industry-leading partners, and training in an active entrepreneurial setting. Through the accelerator program, these startups will have access to workshops, coaching, office space, and Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub resources, including up to $150,000 Azure Cloud computing credits.

Leadership

Assaf Magen, PhD
CEO & CSO

Assaf Magen, PhD, is the CEO and Founder of Voyant Bio, a recognized expert in computational biology, immunology, and data science, with extensive experience in spatial biology research.Dr. Magen earned his PhD in Computational Biology and has published influential research on immune cell interactions and their role in cancer resistance mechanisms in prestigious journals, including Nature Medicine. His visionary leadership combines innovative computational techniques with deep biological insights, guiding Voyant Bio’s development of precision immunotherapies.Under his guidance, the company’s unique AI-driven microscopy platform is redefining therapeutic strategies by precisely targeting cellular interactions within tumors, significantly improving the potential for successful immunotherapy outcomes for patients with treatment-resistant cancers.

Max Fereydouni, PhD
Head of R&D, Cell Biology

Dr. Fereydouni eading immuno-oncology scientist with industry experience at Adanate Inc., Innate-N-Adaptive Tx Consulting, and Sangamo Therapeutics, where he worked on immunology programs and led regulatory FDA submissions. His academic research focused on cancer immunotherapy, mast cell engineering, and HER2-positive tumor targeting, and he brings this translational expertise to Voyant Bio’s mission to decode immune dysfunction in cancer.

Gunjan Thakur, PhD
Bioinformatics & AI/ML

Dr. Thakur is a seasoned Machine Learning Scientist with over six years of experience at the intersection of computational biology and drug discovery. She brings deep expertise in deep learning, graph neural networks (GNNs), and generative AI to accelerate therapeutic development through integrated multi-omics data analysis.Gunjan is a patent holder in multi-omic biomarker discovery and has a strong track record of translating complex data into actionable insights. Her work bridges advanced computational models with experimental validation to drive innovation in precision medicine.

Gavin Thurston, PhD
Oncology Advisory

A leader in oncology with extensive industry experience, Dr. Thurston previously served as SVP of Immuno-Oncology at Regeneron, where he played a pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge cancer therapies.

George Smith, PhD, MBA
Scientific & Business Advisory

Dr. Smith is a biotech executive and drug developer with 28 years of experience, multiple exits and commercial successes. Recently, he led development and operations at Myst, then, post-acquisition by Turnstone, was VP Cell Therapies at Turnstone, steering the company to an IPO. In IQVIA’s management consulting team, he built IQVIA into the advanced therapy market leader. He invented Paxlovid, helped develop Prevnar20, built Pfizer’s therapeutic vaccines department, and built Althea Technologies’ CRO business. He was CDO at Visicell and advises startups. George has a PhD and MBA from UCSD.

Robert Schreiber, PhD
Immunology Advisory

A world-renowned immunologist and key opinion leader, Dr. Schreiber is affiliated with Washington University in St. Louis. His groundbreaking work continues to shape the field of cancer immunology.

Ugur Eskiocak, PhD
Immuno-oncology Advisory

A seasoned executive and innovator in immuno-oncology, Dr. Eskiocak is currently CEO of Voro Tx. He has previously held positions at Janux Therapeutics, Takeda, and other leading biotech companies.

Mohosin Sarkar, PhD
Protein Engineering Advisory

With a background in protein engineering, Dr. Sarkar has held leadership roles at Pfizer and EvolveImmune Therapeutics, contributing to the development of novel biologics and therapeutic platforms.

Mark Oldroyd, JD, MS
Strategic Development Advisory

Executive leader with 30 years in pharma, biotech, and lab industries, specializing in commercialization and strategic partnerships. Proven success in product launches, RWD/RWE monetization, and driving growth for early-stage companies.

Partner with us

Target Discovery & Validation
Before committing $50M+ to a new IO target, validate it in intact human tumors and large FFPE archives.
Using fresh patient tumors and our collaboration network of >200,000 consented, outcome-annotated clinical FFPE specimens, we map expression, spatial neighborhoods, and functional interactions across hundreds of cases in weeks.
Outcome: definitive human relevance data long before animal models or cell lines.
Lead Candidate Selection & Prioritization
Rank 5–15 antibodies or bispecifics head-to-head in 40–80 fresh patient tumors plus matched archival FFPE from the same donors when available.
Our AI ranks candidates on functional spatial metrics in real human tissue microenvironments — clients advance only the top 1–2 and save $100M+ in downstream failures.
Mechanism of Action (MOA) Elucidation
Fresh ex vivo tumors reveal dynamic MOA in living 3D tissue; matched FFPE from our clinical network confirms the same signatures persist in archival patient samples.
Deliverables: quantitative spatial MOA plus validation on real-world clinical cohorts.
Biomarker Discovery & Companion Diagnostic Development
We discover spatial biomarkers on fresh tissue, then immediately validate and lock the assay on standard FFPE slides using our network of outcome-annotated clinical specimens (thousands of pre- and on-treatment biopsies available).
Result: CDx-ready, CLIA-deployable algorithms in months, not years.
Patient Stratification & Enrichment
Our biomarkers are designed from day one to run on routine FFPE biopsies.
Leveraging our collaboration network’s access to tens of thousands of clinically annotated cases, we deliver enrichment strategies that have doubled response rates and cut trial enrollment by 40–60% for multiple partners.
Combination Therapy Optimization
Test combos in fresh tumors, then confirm predictive signatures on large FFPE cohorts from completed trials via our clinical network.
Toxicity & Safety De-risking
Fresh organ slices + normal-adjacent FFPE from resected specimens flag on-target/off-tumor risks and irAE signatures early.
Clinical Trial Support & Translational Package
Through our academic and biobank collaborations we provide direct access to clinical specimens (pre/post-treatment, responders vs. progressors) for retrospective and prospective validation — giving you the exact human evidence regulators and investors demand.

One platform. Human-first. Unmatched spatial intelligence.

Voyant Bio
Novel biologics for cancer immunotherapy without resistance

HQ
Attn: Voyant-Bio
8910 University Center Lane, Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92122

Labs
Attn: Voyant-Bio
319 N. Bernardo ave, suite M110B
Mountain View, CA 94043

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