Berlin-based startup TimeTeller has developed a saliva-based test to map an individual's circadian rhythm, aiming to reduce cancer treatment side effects and improve treatment efficacy by tailoring drug timing to the patient's internal clock.
- Saliva test identifies individual circadian rhythms to personalize medicine timing.
- Partnership with major German insurer expands test access for cancer patients.
- Future applications include metabolic, neurodegenerative diseases, and performance optimization.
What happened
TimeTeller, a startup spun out of Berlin’s Charité university hospital and now based at Medical School Hamburg, has introduced a direct-to-consumer saliva test designed to determine a person’s circadian rhythm. This biological clock information provides insight into optimal timing for medical treatments, particularly cancer therapies, with the goal of reducing harmful side effects and improving effectiveness.
The test is currently used by longevity clinics that focus on healthy aging and to guide personalized advice on sleep, nutrition, light exposure, and exercise. Additionally, the company has secured a reimbursement partnership with Techniker Krankenkasse, a leading German health insurance provider, enabling eligible cancer patients to access the test with potential expansion to a broader patient base.
Why it matters
Angela Relógio, who leads TimeTeller, brings a strong scientific background and is cautious about overpromising results, emphasizing that determining optimal treatment timing requires detailed clinical study integration. The startup’s approach highlights the growing recognition that the timing of medicine administration is critical in personalized medicine—what is given, when it is given, and how that aligns with a patient’s internal biological rhythms.
This innovative focus on timing represents a paradigm shift, especially for cancer treatment, where side effects cause some patients to stop or interrupt therapy. By aligning treatment schedules with patients’ internal clocks, TimeTeller’s technology has the potential to reduce these side effects, improving patient outcomes and adherence to therapy.
What to watch next
TimeTeller plans to expand beyond cancer treatment timing to applications in metabolic disorders such as diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, women’s health, and general performance enhancement. The company is carefully moving from consumer-accessible circadian testing toward integrating their findings into precise medical regimens through partnerships and clinical validation.
Further developments to monitor include the scaling of insurance reimbursement programs and clinical studies linking circadian rhythm data to improved treatment protocols. TimeTeller’s progress may also influence how health systems worldwide incorporate circadian biology into personalized medicine strategies, potentially changing clinical practice standards.