Delee, transforming cancer detection and treatment
Publication date: 7 October 2021
Abstract
Case overview
Delee founders aimed to change the way cancer radically was detected, monitored, and treated. They created CytoCatch™, a highly sensitive automated benchtop device for the rapid isolation and analysis of circulating tumor cells from blood samples to make this possible. Strategic alliances with Stanford University, Tecnologico de Monterrey, and UANL strengthened this innovative company’s purpose. Nevertheless, some questions arose when selecting a suitable business strategy to accomplish Delee’s vision. Liza Velarde, Delee’s CEO, was preparing the agenda for the company’s 2025 planning in November 2020. The journey has been challenging, and Liza Velarde faced critical decision-making milestones. What could be the most promising customer segment for her technology? What business model may work better for such a market? How can Delee reduce the time-to-market for their technology? Furthermore, how can Delee fund their development for the following years until FDA approves?
Learning objectives
With the application of this case, the teacher aspires that students understand the following crucial insights: to understand the impact of a business model strategy, identify different possible business models, and explore options; in this sense, intellectual property can offer options to the strategy; to identify and analyze the gender gap in entrepreneurship and its strategic implications; and to identify the relevance of reducing the time to market for a technological product.
Social implications
Gender inclusiveness in entrepreneurship.
Complexity academic level
Undergraduate and graduate-level.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CCS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Liza Velarde for her support and the reviewers’ and editor’s helpful feedback and comments on this manuscript.Funding: Alejandro Téllez Girón Barrera wants to thank the support of CONACYT – National Graduate Scholarship Program.Disclaimer. This case is written solely for educational purposes and is not intended to represent successful or unsuccessful managerial decision-making. The authors may have disguised names; financial and other recognizable information to protect confidentiality.
Citation
Güemes-Castorena, D. and Téllez-Girón Barrera, A. (2021), "Delee, transforming cancer detection and treatment", , Vol. 11 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-12-2020-0430
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited Bingley, United Kingdom
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