Creatv Bio is redefining how cancer is detected, monitored, and understood by harnessing the power of blood-based diagnostics. Guided by a clear vision to support cancer research, inform treatment planning, monitor therapeutic response, and explore prognostic factors, the company is focused on detecting and diagnosing cancer when it matters most. Its mission is both ambitious and deeply human: transforming cancer screening and diagnostics in ways that save lives and improve patient outcomes.
Operating as a division of Creatv MicroTech, Inc., Creatv Bio benefits from a strong foundation in diagnostics and advanced microfabrication. Creatv MicroTech is a privately held company with a long track record of innovation, and the convergence of its expertise in microengineering and biomedical science led to the creation of the proprietary CellSieve™ microfilter technology. This breakthrough platform forms the backbone of Creatv Bio’s liquid biopsy solutions and underpins its scientific and clinical advancements.
The Genesis of CellSieve™ and LifeTracDx
Creatv Bio’s defining innovation is the LifeTracDx Liquid Biopsy, a blood test that isolates and analyzes cancer-associated cells from a simple blood draw. Using CellSieve™ microfilters, the assay processes approximately 7–7.5 mL of whole blood in just minutes, removing all red blood cells and more than 99.9% of white blood cells. What remains on the microfilter are cancer-associated cells, which are then stained for the nucleus and specific biomarkers and imaged under a microscope for detailed analysis.
Before 2014, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were the only widely recognized cancer-associated cells used in liquid biopsy approaches. Creatv Bio changed that paradigm. Through systematic research and clinical trials, the company identified, categorized, and validated a broader spectrum of cancer-associated cells present in the bloodstream of cancer patients. This work significantly expanded the clinical relevance of liquid biopsy technology beyond its earlier limitations.
Discovery of CAMLs: A Transformative Biomarker
One of Creatv Bio’s most important scientific contributions is the discovery and validation of Cancer-Associated Macrophage-Like Cells (CAMLs). These cells are found in the blood of patients with solid tumors but are not present in healthy individuals. CAMLs are now recognized as the most common tumor-associated cells circulating in cancer patients, appearing across all cancer types and all stages of disease.
CAMLs are large cells—ranging from 25 to 300 micrometers—with distinctive morphologies that can include round, oval, rod-like shapes, or cells with one or two tail-like extensions. They are polynucleated macrophages that have engulfed tumor material, including tumor proteins and tumor DNA. This unique biology makes CAMLs exceptionally valuable for both diagnostics and drug development.
From a molecular standpoint, CAMLs deliver high-quality DNA suitable for sequencing, enabling the detection of tumor mutations, amplifications, deletions, and methylation patterns. From a clinical perspective, CAML size and other cellular features correlate with tumor aggressiveness and patient prognosis, offering insights that go well beyond simple detection.
A Comprehensive View of Cancer-Associated Cells
Creatv Bio’s assays capture and report multiple types of cancer-associated cells that originate from the tumor site and enter the bloodstream. These include circulating tumor cells (CTCs), epithelial–mesenchymal transition cells (EMT CTCs), and a broader category known as tumor-macrophage hybrid cells (TMHCs). CAMLs represent the most prominent and clinically informative subset within the TMHC group, alongside other subtypes and cellular clusters.
Unlike traditional CTC-based tests—which are useful primarily in late-stage disease and limited to a small number of cancers such as breast, prostate, colorectal, and small cell lung cancer—CAMLs offer a substantial improvement. They are present in all cancers and at all stages, making them a powerful biomarker for early detection, disease monitoring, and recurrence surveillance.
Clinical Applications Across the Cancer Journey
The clinical utility of Creatv Bio’s liquid biopsy platform spans the entire cancer care continuum. For screening and early detection, the presence of cancer-associated cells in blood provides a minimally invasive window into tumor biology. For diagnostics, the ability to isolate and characterize multiple cell types improves accuracy and breadth across diverse cancers.
In treatment planning and drug development, CAMLs play a critical role. Drug targets can be validated by identifying and staining the target directly within CAMLs. Companion diagnostics can be readily developed, helping identify suitable patients for clinical trials and guiding therapy selection after regulatory approval. Importantly, treatment response can often be assessed as early as 30 days after the first dose, enabling faster and more informed clinical decisions.
Because the expression of drug targets can change over time during therapy, the ability to repeatedly sample blood and monitor these changes is essential. Creatv Bio’s approach enables continuous, real-time insight into how tumors evolve under treatment—something that traditional tissue biopsies cannot easily provide.
Proprietary Technology and Recognized Innovation
At the heart of these capabilities are Creatv Bio’s proprietary CellSieve™ microfilters. Featuring 7-micrometer pores, approximately 180,000 precisely spaced openings within a 9 mm diameter area, and low autofluorescence background, these microfilters are engineered for precision, consistency, and high-quality imaging.
The technological excellence of Creatv MicroTech has been widely recognized. In 2006, the company received the prestigious R&D 100 Award for its microfabrication products and was named to the Micro/Nano 25 Technologies of Tomorrow list. In 2013, it was honored as Biotech Company of the Year in Montgomery County, Maryland—accolades that underscore the depth of innovation behind Creatv Bio’s current work.
Shaping the Future of Liquid Biopsy
By combining advanced microfabrication, rigorous clinical validation, and a deep understanding of tumor biology, Creatv Bio is shaping the next generation of liquid biopsy diagnostics. Its technologies provide a more complete and clinically meaningful picture of cancer than was previously possible, supporting researchers, clinicians, and patients alike.
As oncology continues to move toward earlier detection, personalized therapy, and continuous disease monitoring, Creatv Bio stands at the forefront of this transformation—delivering tools designed not only to detect cancer, but to understand it, track it, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients worldwide.
Cha-Mei Tang, Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Cha-Mei Tang holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. Tang is a prolific innovator and scientist, with 20 issued and allowed patents and more than 180 scientific publications to her credit.
Her career includes performing and leading research at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, as well as serving as a Visiting Scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In recognition of her scientific leadership and contributions to physics, she was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
Among her many honors, Dr. Tang was named Most Outstanding Woman Scientist in the Federal Government in 1992, reflecting her significant impact on science and public service.
“We transform cancer screening and diagnosis, saving and improving lives.”
