Citrus Oncology Wins Second Place at 12th Annual Big Launch Challenge

Cary, NC — Citrus Oncology, a virtual multi-specialty clinic transforming side effect management in cancer care, proudly announced its second-place finish at the 12th Annual Big Launch Challenge (BLC), held May 9 at the NC Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park. Hosted by The Launch Place, the premier pitch competition featured 10 innovative startups from across the Southeast, with Citrus Oncology winning the top honors.

Co-founder Dr. Afreen Shariff, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University, represented Citrus Oncology on stage with an eight-minute pitch followed by a five-minute Q&A session. Dr. Shariff introduced Citrus Oncology’s virtual, specialty-driven platform designed to proactively manage organ-specific toxicities and co-morbidities like diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and cardiovascular complications—issues that frequently disrupt cancer treatment and worsen patient outcomes.

“Winning second place at the Big Launch Challenge affirms the urgent need to address side effects in cancer care,” said Dr. Shariff. “We’re honored to be recognized by The Launch Place and investors for our mission to improve outcomes and reduce costs through timely, targeted specialty care.”

Since its inception, the Big Launch Challenge has awarded over $200,000 to high-impact startups. This year’s event was judged by a panel of angel investors and venture leaders from across the country and included a keynote by Pat Gouhin, CEO of the Angel Capital Association.

Citrus Oncology continues to build momentum as a leading innovator in cancer support services, recently joining the 2025 CancerX Accelerator cohort and receiving grant funding from the NC IDEA Foundation. With a physician-led team and a tech-enabled care platform, Citrus is reimagining how oncology teams can better support patients through cancer treatment and survivorship. https://grepbeat.com/2024/10/18/rtp-based-startup-brings-home-second-place-in-annual-big-launch-challenge/

To learn more about Citrus Oncology and its mission to modernize side effect care, visit www.citrusoncology.com.

Media Contact:
Citrus Oncology
Email: info@citrusoncology.com