--- title: A cancer startup just raised $175 million from a pharmaceutical giant, and it could be where the industry is headed description: Genetics image: https://www.sjordanassociates.com/hubfs/business_insider.png --- ![](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/hubfs/business_insider.png) # A cancer startup just raised $175 million from a pharmaceutical giant, and it could be where the industry is headed Published by [ Scott Jordan ](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/blog/author/scott-jordan) on Tue, May 03, 2016 @ 03:11 PM ![business_insider.png](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/hubfs/business_insider.png "business_insider.png") http://www.businessinsider.com/roches-investment-in-tech-companies-2016-1 A cancer startup [just raised millions](http://www.businessinsider.com/flatiron-health-raises-175-million-from-roche-2016-1) in a funding round led by a pharmaceutical giant. That could be the sign of bigger things to come. While cloud-based cancer software startup Flatiron Health raised $175 million in its latest funding round, led by drug company Roche, tech and health collaborations have been abounding elsewhere as well. ### Aging, disease, and robots In 2014, biopharmaceutical company AbbVie partnered with Google (now Alphabet) and founded Calico to research age-related diseases. Late last year, Alphabet's newly renamed Verily recently partnered with Johnson and Johnson [to make smaller, cheaper robots](http://www.businessinsider.com/r-jj-alphabet-aim-for-smarter-smaller-cheaper-surgical-robot-2015-12). And in January 2015, Genentech (which is owned by Roche) made a $60-million partnership with [genetic testing company 23andMe](http://www.businessinsider.com/i-tried-the-new-23andme-genetic-test-2015-12) to study Parkinson's. Also last year, Roche [struck a deal](http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2015/01/12/roche-spends-1-03-billion-for-majority-stake-in-cancer-genomics-firm/) with biotech company Foundation Health at $1.03 billion, giving Roche a majority stake in the company that was also backed by Google and Bill Gates. Foundation Health runs genetic tests to determine the best cancer treatment for patients.  ### How drug companies might use these partnerships to their advantage A quick scan of Roche's [pipeline](http://www.roche.com/research_and_development/who_we_are_how_we_work/pipeline.htm?area=1) shows 34 drugs in development that have never been approved (also known as new molecular entities). Flatiron Health's software analyzes cancer treatment results, which can help health care providers who subscribe to the service find the best ways to attack the disease. Flatiron Health said [in a release](https://flatiron.com/press/SeriesC) that it will work with Roche to speed up clinical trials for new cancer treatments.   [Back to Blog](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/blog) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Related Articles ## [Why This $34 Billion Company Is Dipping a Toe Into Crowdfunding ](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/blog/bid/407505/Why-This-34-Billion-Company-Is-Dipping-a-Toe-Into-Crowdfunding) Catherine Clifford, November 4th, 2015 [Read More ](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/blog/bid/407505/Why-This-34-Billion-Company-Is-Dipping-a-Toe-Into-Crowdfunding) ## [Nasdaq Unveils Blockchain-Enabled Platform Linq, Announces 6 Inaugural Clients](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/blog/bid/407473/Nasdaq-Unveils-Blockchain-Enabled-Platform-Linq-Announces-6-Inaugural-Clients) Laura Shin, October 27, 2015 [Read More ](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/blog/bid/407473/Nasdaq-Unveils-Blockchain-Enabled-Platform-Linq-Announces-6-Inaugural-Clients) ## [Vital Signs #68: Crowdfunding Portals Profiled by TheCrowdCafe.com](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/blog/bid/323773/Vital-Signs-68-Crowdfunding-Portals-Profiled-by-TheCrowdCafe-com) HealthiosXchange was profiled in the TheCrowdCafe.com list of Accredited Crowdfunding platforms, ... [Read More ](https://www.sjordanassociates.com/blog/bid/323773/Vital-Signs-68-Crowdfunding-Portals-Profiled-by-TheCrowdCafe-com)