The future of oncological surgery
Real-time detection of microscopic abdominal metastases during surgery
Trusted & supported by
75% of patients relapse
after first-line treatment.
Micrometastases go undetected
by the naked eye of the surgeon.
Annual cost of metastatic
recurrence in Europe.
Administered locally at the time of surgery, the See2cure tracer targets a biomarker specific to tumor tissue.
Every metastasis is revealed, down to the microscopic level. Compatible with imaging systems already in place in the operating room.
The surgeon removes the tumor burden with microscopic precision.
Reaches tumor lesions at an early developmental stage, before bloodstream circulation is established.
The see2cure tracer binds exclusively
to tumor cells.
Guides the surgical procedure by revealing
the tissue to be removed.
First indication: ovarian cancers.
Expanding applications to other cancers (digestive).
Global intraoperative imaging market (2032)
Annual growth of the fluorescence segment.
Eligible oncological surgeries worldwide per year.
ScienceDirect
Académie des Sciences, Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres de Toulouse
Incorporation of See2cure
Regulatory preclinical phase (industrial production and non-clinical regulatory studies)
First-in-human trials — First indication: advanced ovarian cancers
Phase IIa and international development
Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a frequent progression of digestive and gynecological cancers affecting the abdomen.
It occurs when cancer cells detach from a primary tumor, spread, and re-implant within the abdomen to form secondary tumors, also known as peritoneal metastases.
Patient prognosis depends entirely on the completeness of the surgical procedure, and therefore on the surgeon’s ability to remove every tumor. However, many metastases are microscopic (less than one millimeter) and go undetected during surgery. This “invisible cancer” is responsible for a high recurrence rate. Currently, 75% of patients relapse after first-line treatment, and fewer than half survive five years post-diagnosis. We address this challenge by providing high-precision vision where the human eye reaches its limits.
The See2cure tracer is a fluorescent imaging agent designed to guide surgeons in real time. This smart tracer combines a protein capable of targeting a marker present in most solid cancers with a fluorescent molecule.
Thanks to the infrared cameras already available in expert oncology centers, diseased areas become visible on screen during surgery. This technology detects micrometastases (less than one millimeter) to optimize surgery by making it significantly more precise.
The first indication for our fluorescent tracer is advanced-stage ovarian cancer (stages 3 and 4). This cancer is currently one of the most formidable for women and the leading cause of metastasis in the abdominal region.
In the longer term, the use of our fluorescent tracer will be extended to other common tumor types, notably colorectal and gastric (stomach) cancers. Our technology targets a specific biomarker: the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen, or CD176. It offers two major advantages. CD176 is widely present on the surface of cancer cells, yet remains completely undetectable in healthy tissue, allowing the tumor to be distinguished with great clarity. Moreover, this biomarker is present in nearly 80% of solid cancers (known as epithelial cancers). Our solution is therefore positioned to become a reference tool for detecting and treating numerous forms of tumors.
See2cure is a young biotechnology company born out of French public research (CNRS and the Oncopole de Toulouse). Since our founding in January 2024, we have achieved key milestones: raising over one million euros in funding and securing an exclusive license for our technology.
We are currently in the regulatory preclinical phase. This is the pivotal stage that prepares for first-in-human trials. Concretely, it comprises two main pillars. Industrial production: we are currently manufacturing our fluorescent tracer to clinical standards. Safety studies: we are preparing to conduct the toxicology testing required by regulatory authorities to ensure product safety. This work is essential to secure authorization from health authorities. Our objective is clear: to validate this final data in order to launch the first clinical trials on patients as soon as possible.
Oncological surgeons and expert centers. Our imaging agent enables real-time visualization of microscopic metastases, thereby optimizing surgical precision and reducing recurrence.
Drawing on the expertise of surgeons and our exclusive scientific know-how, we address an unmet clinical need in a unique way — turning the “invisible” into a target for eliminating cancer and preventing recurrence.
See2cure’s technology stands out through two major advances that transform the precision of surgical diagnosis.
Ultra-early detection (the injection method)
Most current tracers are administered intravenously, relying on bloodstream circulation to reach their target — which limits their effectiveness to tumors that are already well-developed and vascularized. The See2cure advantage: our tracer is injected directly into the abdominal cavity. This method “bathes” the area, enabling the detection of extremely early-stage cancer foci, even before they connect to the bloodstream.
Surgical precision without “noise” (the targeting)
Some tracers target markers that are also found, in small amounts, in healthy tissue. This can lead to “false positives” — areas that light up despite not being cancerous. The See2cure advantage: we target a biomarker specific to tumor tissue (CD176) that is universal, present in 80% of solid cancers, while remaining completely undetectable in healthy tissue.
In summary: See2cure gives surgeons a more reliable and sharper image, revealing what was previously invisible while avoiding diagnostic errors on healthy tissue.
See2cure is developing a genuinely versatile technology platform we call our “molecular radar.” This innovation is unique in that it relies on a protein capable of targeting cancer cells with great precision, enabling it to fulfill several missions.
1. Detection: fluorescence-guided surgery
This is the core of our current activity and the product ready for clinical transition. By attaching a fluorescent molecule to our “radar,” we enable surgeons to identify micrometastases in real time during surgery.
2. Targeted therapy (R&D)
We are developing a version in which our platform serves as a “cargo” to deliver a drug. Stage: Research and Development. Goal: to deliver chemotherapy directly to the core of cancer cells to limit side effects.
3. Interventional radiotherapy (R&D)
A third pathway is being explored by coupling a radioisotope to our platform. Stage: Research and Development. Goal: to offer ultra-precise radiotherapy that acts exclusively on tissue targeted by the radar.
A protected and unencumbered innovation
Our approach is secured by two exclusive licenses covering the patents on these different axes. Furthermore, freedom-to-operate analyses confirm that our technology is entirely unique and unrestricted by third-party patents.
“Theranostics” approach: we are turning a single diagnostic tool into a complete treatment solution, positioning See2cure at the forefront of precision medicine.
Yes, collaboration with healthcare stakeholders is a pillar of our strategy for integrating our innovations into existing hospital equipment. Our priority is to make our fluorescent tracer accessible to patients and surgeons as quickly as possible, following a direct path to the clinic.
At the same time, we are preparing for the future with the two other applications of our “molecular radar” (targeted chemotherapy and radiotherapy), which are currently at the research and development (R&D) stage. It is precisely on these R&D axes that we are seeking industrial partners. The goal is to combine the precision of our targeting technology with the expertise of major groups specialized in robotics, imaging, or pharmaceuticals to create the ultra-precise treatments of tomorrow.
Investors,Industrial partners, clinicians, let’s talk about the future of precision oncology.
