Traditional medicine often relies on a one-size-fits-all approach, prescribing treatments to the average patient in the general population. However, each patient possesses a unique biological makeup, resulting in widely varying responses to treatments. iLoF have developed a simple photonics and AI powered blood test to detect biomarker signatures from biological samples to create a molecular digital fingerprint. This can link disease phenotype, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical outcome at the molecular level. Each patient then receives tailored treatments targeting the root causes of disease with greater efficacy and reduced side effects. It is an affordable and scalable solution that can be easily implemented in any hospital, laboratory, or company.
Dr Mehak Mumtaz is the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of iLoF and is responsible for product, business strategy, and partnerships. She has been awarded the EU Prize for Women innovators 2022 and iLOF have been recognised by Microsoft as the top female founded deeptech company and are included in CB Insights top 150 digital health companies.
She describes how it is a crucial time for iLoF as they scale the company and meet key milestones in time for a Series A funding round in 18 months’ time. These include demonstrating proof of value of their platform through a successful commercial pilot and scaling the team and fill in key gaps in skills and expertise. She recognises the challenges of building and leading engineering teams and generating a product mindset.
Mehak sees the Shott Scale Up Accelerator as a way of learning from coaches and peers how to effectively build and lead teams of diverse individuals and backgrounds. She also thinks the Shott Scale Up Accelerator can help iLoF develop its pharma partnerships, through using the networking opportunities and courses to enhance her understanding of these partnerships.
