Manta Cares, a San Francisco, CA-based in a move set to radically transform how patients navigate one of life’s most challenging experiences, digital health startup Manta Cares has officially launched its free cancer care navigation platform.
Manta Cares was funded $5.4 million led by Pear VC and Sozo Ventures with participation from 1843 Capital and strategic angel investors including Dr. Stanley Marks, Chair of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, is earmarked to scale the platform and expand its reach across additional cancer types.
Manta Cares, founded by breast cancer survivor and entrepreneur Samira Daswani, was born from a stark personal reality: facing a disease is one battle; navigating the fragmented healthcare system is another.
“Navigating cancer felt like a treacherous hike where you don’t get access to a map, the right tools, or the right guides,” explains Daswani. She notes that while information is abundant, the real challenge lies in distinguishing the “right from wrong, appropriate from inappropriate, relevant from irrelevant.”
What makes Manta Cares unique is its centerpiece: The Map. This proprietary, interactive tool offers a visual representation—often likened to a subway system—that charts the 300-500 critical decisions a patient faces, from the first suspicion through treatment and survivorship.
Each “station” on the map connects the user to evidence-based resources, practical digital tools, and crucial support services. The platform is designed to bring structure, clarity, and confidence to a journey that often feels chaotic.
Key features of the free, HIPAA-compliant platform include:
- Interactive Cancer Maps: Step-by-step flows tailored by cancer type (currently Breast and Lung, with expansion planned) that help users anticipate what’s next, understand treatment options, and make informed decisions.
- Collaborative Appointment Notebooks: Tools to log questions, notes, and follow-ups in one organized place, ensuring the precious few minutes with a clinician are utilized effectively.
- Symptom and Medication Trackers: Practical modules that make it easier for patients to share accurate, timely updates with their care teams.
The necessity of this structured approach is highlighted by a sobering statistic Daswani shared: pharmaceutical companies invest tens of thousands of dollars per patient annually in copay assistance programs, yet less than 3% of eligible patients know these programs exist. Manta aims to connect patients with these and other financial support services precisely when they are most needed.
Manta Cares emphasizes an ecosystem approach that goes beyond just the patient experience, aiming to redesign the cancer care landscape itself. This mission is validated by its existing partnerships with eight health systems, including Stanford, three of the top 15 pharmaceutical manufacturers, and 40 patient advocacy groups.
The company’s commitment to being “shamelessly patient-first” is non-negotiable, according to Daswani, noting the company has turned down lucrative deals that didn’t align with that standard. Revenue is generated through partnerships that genuinely benefit patients, ensuring the core navigation platform remains free for patients and their care partners.
The platform is gaining traction within clinical circles as well. Dr. Doug Blayney, Manta’s Chief Medical Officer, former President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and a clinician with four decades of experience, ensures the platform’s clinical validity.
“We’re not here to replace care teams—we’re here to complement and support them,” says Dr. Blayney. Clinicians report that patient appointments are significantly improved when patients arrive prepared using Manta’s tools, adding structure and focus to the typically brief 10-minute doctor’s visit.
Manta Cares emphasizes an ecosystem approach that goes beyond just the patient experience, aiming to redesign the cancer care landscape itself. This mission is validated by its existing partnerships with eight health systems, including Stanford, three of the top 15 pharmaceutical manufacturers, and 40 patient advocacy groups.
The company’s commitment to being “shamelessly patient-first” is non-negotiable, according to Daswani, noting the company has turned down lucrative deals that didn’t align with that standard. Revenue is generated through partnerships that genuinely benefit patients, ensuring the core navigation platform remains free for patients and their care partners.
The platform is gaining traction within clinical circles as well. Dr. Doug Blayney, Manta’s Chief Medical Officer, former President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and a clinician with four decades of experience, ensures the platform’s clinical validity.
“We’re not here to replace care teams—we’re here to complement and support them,” says Dr. Blayney. Clinicians report that patient appointments are significantly improved when patients arrive prepared using Manta’s tools, adding structure and focus to the typically brief 10-minute doctor’s visit.
By: K. Tagura
Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.
Rss Feed
