From Oncology to Building for Pharma at YC | Ankr Health CEO Arpit Rao

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Arpit Rao, oncologist and co-founder of Ankr Health, a Y Combinator-backed startup using AI to transform cancer care.We explore his path from running FDA clinical trials to launching a platform that predicts treatment-limiting side effects before they happen. He also discusses the startup’s go-to-market journey, including their first major deal with AstraZeneca, and how they’ve built a solution tailored specifically for the pharma industry. This conversation is a powerful look into how machine learning can improve outcomes, reduce patient drop-off, and reimagine the future of oncology care.