From COVID-19 Testing to a Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment Monitoring

Zeev Russak, a developer of COVID-19 PCR tests, never expected his work in diagnostics to lead him to cancer research. However, while accompanying his mother through cancer treatment, he realized that the same technology used to detect viruses could be adapted to track the effectiveness of cancer therapies through a simple blood test that can be repeated over time.

"Israeli venture funds invest heavily in cybersecurity and gaming. But cancer is the top cause of death. Any tech that enables early detection and monitoring is essential."

Russak has always been a Technology entrepreneur, but the real turning point came with his mother's cancer recurrence. After years in remission, the disease returned aggressively, spreading throughout her body. She passed away at the age of 64.

"My mother recovered from cancer, but over time, the tumor returned, changed, and metastasized before doctors caught it." Current imaging methods, like CT scans, are limited. They can only detect changes after metastases grow to a visible size—usually over a millimeter. But genetic mutations in the tumor happen long before that."

Cancer evolves, with tumors undergoing natural mutations and alterations due to treatment. Yet, monitoring these genetic changes in real-time remains a significant challenge. Standard biopsies are invasive, expensive, and cannot be performed frequently.

Determined to find a better way, Russak founded Infiniplex in 2021 with Dr. Ofer Peleg, a biochemist and bioinformatician. The company, based in Yokneam Illit with a laboratory in Ra'anana, now employs nine people.

Adapting PCR for cancer detection
Russak grew up in Ra'anana and was drawn to chemistry, biology, and mathematics. He specialized in biophysics and served in Unit 9900 of Israel's intelligence corps before working as an algorithm developer for medical startups. Over the years, he advised various companies, including HP.

"I was working on automation for infectious disease diagnostics when a client asked if we could apply the same principles to other areas of medicine. This led to a patent and the founding of Diagnostics AI, which developed real-time PCR automation for virus and bacteria detection, such as the rapid COVID-19 tests done at Ben-Gurion airport."

During the pandemic, his company Analyzed millions of tests globally. But even as demand soared, Russak was already thinking about how to apply the technology beyond viruses.

"I started analyzing data and realized that if we could upgrade PCR to detect a broad range of cancer mutations, it could be a game-changer."

How It Works
Cancerous tumors shed fragments of DNA into the bloodstream, known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA). These fragments carry the tumor's genetic signature, which can be detected through a simple blood test.

"PCR is highly sensitive—it amplifies specific DNA sequences that contain cancer mutations, making them detectable even at very low levels. By analyzing these fragments, we can determine the mutation causing the cancer, its aggression, and whether treatment is working."

This concept, called liquid biopsy, offers a way to monitor cancer without invasive procedures. Unlike COVID-19 PCR tests, which analyze nasal and saliva swabs, Infiniplex's approach detects cancer mutations in blood samples. It can also be applied to cerebrospinal fluid for brain cancer detection.

Why "Infiniplex"?
The name "Plex" means combining multiple assays, and "Infinity" represents limitless possibilities. Together, they highlight this approach's great potential.

"A single PCR test for one virus is called 'single-plex,' while 'multiplex' tests detect multiple variants, like different strains of COVID-19. Cancer involves hundreds of mutations. So, we chose 'Infiniplex.' It reflects our ability to analyze multiple genetic markers in a single test."

Tracking Treatment in Real Time
Infiniplex is currently focused on monitoring cancer patients who are already undergoing treatment.

"Oncologists have told us there is a real need for this tool, allowing us to enter the market faster. The long-term goal is early detection, but we are currently proving the technology with diagnosed patients."

Cancer patients already undergo regular blood tests during chemotherapy. The Infiniplex test requires only a 5 mL blood sample.

"This test can show whether a treatment is working—if the number of cancer mutations in the blood is decreasing or if new mutations are emerging, signaling the need for a different approach."

The test is designed to be repeatable, with results available within hours.

"For some cancers, small changes are critical. A real-time view of a patient's response can significantly impact treatment decisions and survival rates."

The ability to analyze multiple mutations simultaneously is made possible through advanced combinatorial chemistry and AI-driven optimization.

The Future: Early Detection
"The next step is using our technology for early cancer detection, particularly for people who avoid medical screenings because they are invasive or uncomfortable."

One example is BRCA mutation carriers, who currently face limited options such as preventive mastectomy or ovary removal. Infiniplex's test could offer an alternative by monitoring mutation levels over time and intervening only when necessary.

"For women at risk, this could mean delaying surgery while staying closely monitored, allowing them to extend their childbearing years if they choose."

Preparing for Clinical Trials
Infiniplex has secured funding from the Israel Innovation Authority and joined the TerraLabs incubator. Now, the company is raising capital for clinical trials in hospitals.

"We started by testing synthetic DNA that mimicked cancer, which proves our concept. We have begun analyzing frozen blood samples from patients collected by various hospitals and preparing for clinical trials, collecting samples from patients in real time.

What's Next?
Moving from frozen samples to real-time patient monitoring is a critical step.

"The frozen samples gave us a snapshot of a single moment in treatment. But with real-time testing, we can track how a patient's cancer mutates over time and adjust treatment accordingly. The best part is that PCR machines are already in hospitals. This means our test fits right in without any extra costs."

Oncologists are particularly interested in applying this technology to breast, pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers, where treatment monitoring is crucial. There is also significant interest in pediatric brain tumors, where traditional biopsies carry high risks.

"Taking a biopsy from a child's brain is an invasive, high-risk procedure. It would be a huge advancement if we could detect tumor DNA in blood or cerebrospinal fluid instead."

A Personal Mission
"I have two daughters, and after everything I went through with my mother's illness, I knew I wanted to make a difference. I want to build a world where early detection and accurate monitoring are the norm for all."

"We hear a lot about advanced personalized cancer treatments. But those treatments need better diagnostic tools." That's what we are building—a way to detect cancer earlier, track it in real-time, and ultimately, improve survival rates."

Infiniplex
Year of Establishment: 2021
Founders: Zeev Russak and Dr. Ofer Peleg
Field of Activity: PCR testing for the detection of cancer-related mutations
Guiding Motto: Precise and frequent monitoring of treatment effectiveness will save lives

to the company website>>
In collaboration with Infiniflex