Pune start-up gets US patent for delivering drugs to site-specific organs Press Release | March 6, 2023 Pune start-up gets US patent for delivering drugs to site-specific organs The patent was granted to Actorius Innovations and Research and its team that designed capsule shells using natural polymer to obtain a delayed release profile suitable for delivery of drugs to colon and rectum, said Dr Jayant Khandare, founder-director and Chief Scientific Officer of the start-up. Changes in lifestyle and food habits are leading to many colon related diseases including cancers, he said. Delivery of drugs to colorectal site is most challenging as the dosage forms have to prevent the early release of drug in stomach and intestine, he said. This patent (US Patent No. 11596607) is titled "Polymer based formulation for the release of drugs and bioactives at specific GIT sites". Khandare said the technology composition does not involve cumbersome tablet processing, coating and enteric or other polymers. It also reduces processing cost with increased patient compliance, he added. The start-up completed the bio equivalence study which was approved by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) in September 2020, Khandare said. Click the link below to read the full article. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

HER2 analysis on CTCs enables real-time monitoring in metastatic breast cancer. Publications | April 10, 2024 AACR 2024: Evaluation of HER-2 expression on circulating tumor cells as a real time biomarker in advanced breast cancer HER2 analysis on circulating tumor cells using the OncoDiscover® platform enables real-time, non-invasive profiling for improved metastatic breast cancer treatment decisions. Introduction: Breast cancer accounts for 12.5% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide. Cases classified as HER2-positive tend to proliferate, metastasize, and often lead to relapse. HER2 is one of the most valid tumor markers and is widely used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Thus, analyzing the expression of HER2 on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can offer a real-time dynamic biomarker for guiding treatment options between endocrine therapy and chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer. Functional assays on CTCs with the HER2 biomarker offer evolving diagnostic opportunities, especially when tissue samples are not accessible or are inadequate. Methods: Retrospectively, blood samples from 179 breast cancer patients were analyzed for the presence of CTCs using the OncoDiscover® platform approved by the Drug Controller General of India (CDSCO). The platform consists of an immunomagnetic multi-component system mediated by anti-EpCAM antibodies. The isolated cells were immunostained using the nuclear dye DAPI along with CK18, CD45, and HER2 antibodies. CTCs were identified by the presence of HER2-positive, CK18-positive, DAPI-positive, and CD45-negative staining. Validation of HER2 expression on CTCs was analyzed based on the linear intensity gradients of fluorescence signals. CTCs were termed HER2-negative when weak or no detectable fluorescence signal was observed and HER2-positive when high fluorescence signals were detected. Results: Among the cohort of 179 patient samples, 63.68% of samples showed the presence of CTCs, with counts ranging from 1–7 CTCs. Among these, 47.84% of the detected CTCs showed HER2 expression. The mean fluorescence intensity value for HER2 expression in CTCs was found to be 3.23. The observed fluorescence intensity further emphasizes the robustness of CTCs as a viable source for molecular characterization. Conclusion: Integration of HER2 analysis on CTCs into the clinical assessment of metastatic breast cancer may offer a non-invasive, real-time strategy for tumor profiling and may help pave the way for more precise and tailored therapeutic interventions. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Made in India: The Low-Cost Blood Test Revolutionizing Cancer Care | Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi Expert Insights | August 9, 2022 Made in India: The Low-Cost Blood Test Revolutionizing Cancer Care | Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi (Director, ACTREC) and Dr. Jayant Khandare discuss OncoDiscover, India's first indigenous CTC blood test. By detecting cancer relapse earlier than traditional scans, this groundbreaking "Made in India" technology drastically lowers patient costs and paves the way for future medical innovations. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Cofounder & Director, Actorius Innovations & Research Co. Aravindan Vasudevan Cofounder & Director LinkedIn Qualification Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) University of Mumbai | 2000 Master of Science (Chemistry) University of Mumbai | 2002 Certificate in Business Studies (Marketing) UCLA Extension | 2012 Certified Medical Device Professional (CMDP) British Standards Institute | 2017 IRCA Certified ISO 13485:2016 Lead Auditor British Standards Institute | 2019 Have successfully created & filed multiple regulatory dossiers under Medical Device Regulations, 2017 with CDSCO, GoI. Implemented ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management System for medical device manufacturing. 20+ years comibined work experience in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Professional Summary Aravindan Vasudevan is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt. Ltd. , a biotechnology and diagnostics company focused on advancing cancer detection and precision oncology technologies. With more than two decades of experience spanning pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cancer diagnostics, he has played a pivotal role in translating complex scientific innovations into clinically relevant and commercially viable healthcare solutions. At Actorius, Aravindan was part of the core team that developed OncoDiscover , a pioneering liquid biopsy technology and India’s first indigenously developed DCGI-approved in vitro diagnostic (IVD) platform for the detection and analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). This technology represents a significant step forward in non-invasive cancer diagnostics, enabling clinicians to monitor disease progression and personalize treatment strategies through advanced blood-based testing. Aravindan’s professional journey encompasses extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, including roles in manufacturing research and development, drug discovery, and technology commercialization . His expertise lies in building strategic pathways that enable the successful transition of scientific technologies from the research laboratory to real-world clinical and market applications. Over the years, he has contributed to the development of operational frameworks, regulatory strategies, and quality systems that support innovation-driven healthcare products. In addition to his leadership role at Actorius, Aravindan is associated with multiple ventures and collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing technologies in cancer diagnostics, cancer genomics, and novel drug delivery systems . His work focuses on integrating research, regulatory compliance, and market readiness to accelerate the adoption of next-generation biomedical technologies. Aravindan has significant experience navigating India’s regulatory landscape for medical devices. He has successfully developed and filed multiple regulatory dossiers under the Medical Device Rules, 2017 with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Government of India , contributing to the regulatory approval and commercialization of innovative diagnostic technologies. He has also led the implementation of ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management Systems for medical device manufacturing, ensuring compliance with global quality standards. Beyond regulatory and commercialization expertise, Aravindan is an IRCA Certified ISO 13485:2016 Lead Auditor from the British Standards Institute (BSI) and a Certified Medical Device Professional (CMDP) . His professional training and certifications reflect a deep understanding of quality systems, regulatory frameworks, and global medical device standards. Aravindan holds both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Chemistry from the University of Mumbai . He further expanded his business and strategic management capabilities through a Certificate in Business Studies (Marketing) from UCLA Extension . In recognition of his entrepreneurial potential and contributions to innovation, he was also selected to participate in the Cornell Maha 60 Accelerator Program , a long-term initiative by Cornell University in partnership with the Department of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, designed to support high-impact technology entrepreneurs. With over 20 years of combined experience in pharmaceuticals and medical devices , Aravindan continues to drive innovation in oncology diagnostics, focusing on technologies that enable early detection, precision treatment decisions, and improved outcomes for cancer patients. Through his leadership at Actorius, he remains committed to advancing accessible, indigenous healthcare technologies that address critical challenges in cancer care. Want to be a part of this dynamic team? Visit our Careers section to explore current opportunities that match your interests and expertise. Apply Now

Chemical tunability of advanced materials used in the fabrication of micro/nanobots Publications | April 11, 2023 Manuscript: Chemical tunability of advanced materials used in the fabrication of micro/nanobots Review on chemically tunable micro- and nanobots for targeted nanomedicine, highlighting AI materials, applications, and biosafety considerations. Micro and nanobots (MNBs) are unprecedented in their ability to be chemically tuned for autonomous tasks with enhanced targeting and functionality while maintaining their mobility. A myriad of chemical modifications involving a large variety of advanced materials has been demonstrated to be effective in the design of MNBs. Furthermore, they can be controlled for autonomous motion and for their ability to carry chemical or biological payloads. In addition, MNBs can be modified to achieve targetability with specificity for biological applications. However, MNBs, by virtue of their chemical compositions, may face limitations related to biocompatibility, tissue accumulation, poor biodegradability, and potential toxicity. This review presents a note on artificial intelligence materials (AIMs), their importance, and the dimensional scales at which intrinsic autonomy can be achieved for diverse applications. We briefly discuss the evolution of such systems with a focus on their advancements in nanomedicine. We highlight MNBs by covering their contemporary traits and the emergence of a few start-ups in specific areas. Furthermore, we showcase various examples demonstrating that chemical tunability is an attractive primary approach for designing MNBs with immense capabilities in both biology and chemistry. Finally, we discuss biosafety and ethical considerations in designing MNBs in the era of artificial intelligence for varied applications. View Manuscript Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

ML models using CTCs predict surgery and adjuvant therapy success in HNSCC. Publications | June 7, 2022 ASCO 2022: Machine learning (ML)–enabled, circulating tumor cell–based classification of patients for non-prerequisite adjuvant therapy. An XGBoost ML model using CTCs and clinical data achieved 84% accuracy in predicting the need for adjuvant therapy in 380 HNSCC patients. Background Oncology implicates the highest precision using next-generation diagnostics and progressive therapies assisted by predictive tools. If validated clinically, machine learning (ML) can provide better insights in precision oncology. Furthermore, it may longitudinally stratify the progression of cancer disease burden in real time. We have developed a circulating tumor cells (CTCs) driven ML model as a predictor for the treatment decision strategy for both surgery and adjuvant therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Methods In this study, a total of 380 HNSCC patients who underwent either surgery alone or surgery plus adjuvant therapy were accounted for. CTCs in patients were stratified based on clinicopathological parameters and using the OncoDiscover platform having an anti-EpCAM antibody system regulated by the Drug Controller of India. Following this, we explored the predictive performance of the ML model on the usefulness of adjuvant therapy in HNSCC patients after the surgery. The available data was randomly divided into two subsets. First, 75% of the original data was applied for training the ML, and the rest 25% of the data was used as a test set. Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan–Meier method and calculated through the log-rank test. Results The XGBoost machine learning classifier was superior to Random Forest and SVM-based analyses in predicting the usefulness of adjuvant therapy post-surgery using CTCs alone or in combination with other clinical parameters in HNSCC patients. Machine learning algorithms were compared for predicting the accuracy of patient stratification. The results for each model were: XGBoost model (Accuracy = 0.84, ROC value = 0.73, Kappa = 0.43); Random Forest model (Accuracy = 0.81, ROC value = 0.70, Kappa = 0.41); SVM model (Accuracy = 0.76, ROC value = 0.69, Kappa = 0.40). The ROC value of the XGBoost model was highest (0.73), while the ROC value for the SVM model was lower (0.69). We observed that when CTCs were combined with clinicopathological parameters, the accuracy, kappa values, and AUC-ROC drastically improved in predicting the usefulness of adjuvant therapy post-surgery. A similar trend was observed when CTCs were combined with clinicopathological parameters in predicting the line of chemotherapy post-surgery. Conclusions ML-enabled, CTC-driven predictions can be highly accurate and ascertain the patient treatments. CTCs can be a positive predictor for selecting a patient’s treatment regimen in both surgery as well as in the type of treatment (e.g., surgery alone or surgery + adjuvant therapy). It can also be implicated to classify the patients and determine who necessitates additional adjuvant therapy. Further investigations in this direction are necessary to predict the treatment options based on ML that may improve the overall survival of cancer patients. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

CTCs and PD-L1 profiling support MRD detection and therapy decisions in ovarian cancer. Publications | June 3, 2024 ASCO 2024: Effect of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and CTC clusters with PD-L1 dynamic biomarker on cellular burden in patients with ovarian cancer. CTCs with PD-L1 expression in ovarian cancer reveal minimal residual disease and may guide immunotherapy and early metastasis monitoring. Background In the precision oncology era, monitoring treatment response using circulating blood-based biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is rapidly being evaluated and established. The leading cause of mortality in ovarian cancer patients is delayed diagnosis and the inability to effectively select patients for targeted therapies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) agents. Treatment for ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. However, postoperative resection and therapy with curative intent often fail to account for minimal cellular disease (MCD). The dissemination of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represents minimal residual disease (MRD), which may diffuse and cause micro-metastasis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and bio-mechanistic activation in blood circulation. Simultaneous detection of overexpression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on CTCs as a dynamic biomarker may be useful for assessing patients for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Methods In a retrospective analysis of real-world data, peripheral blood samples from 75 ovarian cancer patients were analyzed for the presence of CTCs, with and without PD-L1 expression, and for the presence of CTC clusters. CTCs were detected using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover platform from 1.5 ml of peripheral blood. The platform is a multifunctional magneto-nanosystem mediated by anti-epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies. CTCs were identified as positive when EpCAM+, CK+, PD-L1+, DAPI+, and CD45- markers were present. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was analyzed based on the linear intensity gradients of fluorescence signals using image acquisition on an automated Zeiss microscope. Results Baseline sample analysis showed that 86% (n = 65) of patients had at least one CTC per 1.5 ml of blood. The CTC distribution ranged from 1 to 9 CTCs. Among the patients with CTCs, 46.15% (n = 30) showed PD-L1 expression. Notably, the highest number of CTCs (~26.7%, n = 23) was observed in the 41–50 age group. Additionally, 8% (n = 6) of the total patients showed the presence of CTC clusters. The presence of CTCs with PD-L1 expression and CTC clusters did not show a correlation with factors such as staging, follow-ups, metastasis, or disease-free survival (DFS) status. Conclusions We observed the presence of minimal cellular disease (MCD) and minimal residual disease (MRD) in ovarian cancer patients despite treatment with curative intent. Detection of CTCs, CTC clusters, and PD-L1 overexpression as real-time dynamic biomarkers may help assess early metastasis, disease progression, and regression. These biomarkers may also support the selection of patients suitable for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy when tissue samples are inadequate or unavailable, potentially improving clinical outcomes. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Cofounder & Director, Actorius Innovations & Research Co. Rick Kamble Cofounder & Director LinkedIn Qualification Master of Business Administration University of Phoenix, US Bachelor of Engineering Nagpur University, India Professional Summary Rick is an early investor in Actorius Innovations and Research (AIR) and chairman of the board. He is a serial entrepreneur based our of Los Angeles, US with expertise in Healthcare and Information Technology solutions. Rick is also the CEO and President of HealthNspire solutions, a HealthCare Technology solution provider focused on managed care software solutions. He is also the co-founder and CTO of Mediccio, a company dedicated to provide healthcare billing solutions using NLP. In the past, Rick has served as Senior VP of Product Strategies at AssistMed, a company dedicated to the application of Healthcare IT solutions. He has held leadership positions at Lakeside Medical Group, Jacobs Engineering, Farmers Insurance, L.A. CARE Health Plan, Cardinal Health, Countrywide Home Lo Want to be a part of this dynamic team? Visit our Careers section to explore current opportunities that match your interests and expertise. Apply Now

CK18 variance in CTCs across cancer types necessitates validated enumeration. Publications | October 9, 2021 ESMO 2021: Validation of Cytokeratin (CK18) Protein Expression in Epithelial Cell lines and in Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) Study shows significant CK18 expression variance across different cancer cell lines and CTCs, highlighting the need for regulated enumeration tools. Background CTCs predict an unfavourable prognosis and outcomes in cancers. Lowering of cytokeratin 18 expression is a hallmark of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Homogeneity and validation of CK18 expression in cancer cell lines and CTCs originating from distinct solid tumors is indeterminate and may contribute to non-specific counts. We hypothesize that the expression of CK18 in varied cell lines may differ quantitatively, and additionally may exhibit similar trends in CTCs enumerated from different tumor types. Methods CK18 variance in epithelial cell lines (e.g., A549+, MCF-7+, and MEF-) (n=192,269 cells) and CTCs (n=63) of different phenotypes was analyzed and compared. The fluorescence intensity was measured post-immunostaining, using motorized-automated, computer-assisted scanning, and through a customized ImageJ macro tool. The effect of anti-CK18 concentrations (0.06-6 μg/ml) and binding constants (Kb) was measured across all cell lines. CTCs were enumerated from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients' blood samples (CTRI/2018/03/012905) and from clinical samples (e.g., breast, lung, colorectal (CRC), ovarian) using the clinically relevant OncoDiscover platform. Results CK18 mapping revealed diverse fluorescence intensities distribution in three cell lines, as well as in HNSCC, lung, breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer CTCs (Table). In addition, the protein binding assay showed 8.65 x 10^3 Kb (M^-1) for MCF7 and 7.9 x 10^3 for A549 cells indicating concentration-dependent binding for CK18 expressing proteins on cells and may be varied in CTCs of different cancer types. Compared to the CK- cell line (MEF), the normalized CK18 intensity was higher by 290% and 310%, respectively, in MCF7 (breast) and A549 (lung) cells, demonstrating the variation in CK18 expression. On the other hand, CTCs showed significant diversity in CK18 expression with buccal mucosa revealing the lowest (67%), while CTCs of CRC origin demonstrated the highest expression (320%) (Table). CK18 intensity was represented across the cell lines and on CTCs enumerated from different cancer types. Conclusions Non-regulated CTC enumeration platforms pre-requisite critical validations to eliminate the non-specificity of CTC counts, which are highly imperative to clinical decisions in cancer management. Clinical Trial Identification CTRI/2018/03/012905. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Dr. Jayant Khandare Leads Actorius with Pathbreaking Innovations | Dainik Jagran Press Release | March 14, 2026 Dr. Jayant Khandare Leads Actorius with Pathbreaking Innovations in Cancer Detection and Metastasis Control Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt Ltd, a pioneering Indo-US biotechnology company revolutionizing oncology through advanced circulating tumor cell (CTC) technologies, continues to make significant strides under the visionary leadership of Dr. Jayant Khandare, Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Scientific Officer. Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt Ltd, a pioneering Indo-US biotechnology company revolutionizing oncology through advanced circulating tumor cell (CTC) technologies, continues to make significant strides under the visionary leadership of Dr. Jayant Khandare, Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Scientific Officer. Click the button below to read the full story Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Dr. Jayant Khandare Leads Actorius with Pathbreaking Innovations | Press Release Press Release | March 17, 2026 Actorius Innovations pioneers' oncology care with its OncoDiscover and OncoMetastat solutions Dr. Jayant Khandare Leads Actorius with Pathbreaking Innovations in Cancer Detection and Metastasis Control Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt Ltd, a pioneering Indo-US biotechnology company revolutionizing oncology through advanced circulating tumor cell (CTC) technologies, continues to make significant strides under the visionary leadership of Dr. Jayant Khandare, Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Scientific Officer. Click the button below to read the full story You can also read in Lokmat times , ANI News and Business Standard Read Article Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

PD-L1-positive CTCs may predict treatment outcomes and occult residual disease. Publications | September 1, 2026 Longitudinal Assessment of Circulating Tumor Cells Expressing PD-L1 and Clusters in Esophageal Cancer Patients A longitudinal study of 110 esophageal cancer patients evaluated CTCs, PD-L1 expression, and CTC clusters, highlighting their potential as predictive biomarkers for treatment outcomes and occult minimal cellular residual disease. Background Carcinoma esophagus (CA esophagus) has a high recurrence rate and poor survival outcomes. Despite complete response (CR), a notable number of patients experience recurrence. Thus, pathological ‘no evidence of disease’ may not always indicate disease-free survival (DFS), particularly in the presence of occult systemic disease and micro-metastasis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with PD-L1 overexpression may offer both prognostic and predictive value. Similar approaches, such as AR-V7 expression in the PROPHECY study, have demonstrated the potential of CTC-based biomarkers in predicting treatment outcomes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Longitudinal CTC assessment may provide evidence of active clonal evolution, minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD), and therapy sequencing. We assessed the presence of PD-L1-overexpressing CTCs and CTC clusters in patients with CA esophagus. Methods We retrospectively assessed 110 patients with CA esophagus using peripheral 1.5 mL blood samples collected at baseline (BL) (n=86; 78.2%) and follow-ups (FU) (n=24; 21.8%). CTC enumeration and PD-L1 expression analysis were performed using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover® platform. CTCs were identified based on EpCAM⁺, CK18⁺, DAPI⁺, CD45⁻, and PD-L1⁺ markers using a fluorescence automated microscope. Mean CTC distributions were calculated across multiple time points and longitudinal means were compared between BL and FU. Results Among 110 patients, 83 (75.5%) were CTC-positive. PD-L1 expression was detected in 63 patients (57.3%), while CTC clusters were observed in 14 patients (12.7%). Most patients (89/110; 80.9%) were aged 51–80 years, with a mean age of 59.7 years, and 67.3% were male. At baseline, 65/86 (75.6%) patients were CTC-positive, with 47 (54.7%) showing PD-L1 overexpression. At follow-up, 18/24 (75%) patients remained CTC-positive, of whom 16 (66.7%) demonstrated PD-L1 positivity. The mean CTC count was 1.37 at BL and 1.20 at FU, with a combined mean of 1.32. The mean distribution of PD-L1-positive CTCs was 0.83 at baseline, 0.91 at follow-up, and 0.85 overall. CTC clusters increased at follow-up compared with baseline (0.25 vs. 0.12). Conclusions We longitudinally monitored and assessed PD-L1-expressing CTCs and CTC clusters in esophageal cancer patients at baseline and follow-up. PD-L1-positive CTCs may have potential as a predictive biomarker for treatment outcomes and the detection of occult minimal cellular residual disease. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe