TimeTeller Launches Saliva Test Kit to Personalize Cancer Treatment Using Circadian Rhythms

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German startup TimeTeller offers a saliva test to map individual circadian rhythms, aiming to optimize cancer therapy timing and reduce side effects, while also providing personalized health insights for broader applications.

German startup TimeTeller has developed a novel saliva test kit designed to help individuals understand their circadian rhythms, with a central focus on improving cancer treatment outcomes. Founded by CEO Angela Relógio, a physicist-engineer and molecular biologist with expertise in oncology and circadian biology, the company strives to integrate internal body clocks into personalized medicine.

TimeTeller’s test is intended to identify the optimal timing for administering cancer therapies, potentially reducing adverse side effects and enhancing treatment effectiveness. Relógio emphasizes that while the test enables capturing detailed rhythms beyond common chronotype labels like "morning person" or "night owl," determining the best timing for specific medications requires further clinical studies.

The product first found traction through longevity clinics that use circadian rhythm data to tailor advice on sleep, diet, light exposure, and exercise for healthy aging. Beyond cancer, TimeTeller may also be relevant for metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, athletic performance, and women's health. However, oncology remains its primary mission.

Relógio's research revealed that inconsistent treatment timing contributed to patients discontinuing cancer therapies due to side effects. This insight motivated her to commercialize the circadian test rather than limit it to academic research. Initially funded by Relógio’s personal resources and spun out of Berlin's Charité hospital, TimeTeller later moved to Medical School Hamburg to access patients and financial support, providing job security for its team if needed.

The startup secured a significant partnership with Techniker Krankenkasse, a major German health insurer, which reimburses the test cost for some cancer patients and plans to extend coverage to millions of members. This collaboration makes TimeTeller’s test accessible to those actively managing cancer treatment.

Presenting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Relógio expressed her vision of a future where "when" a treatment or intervention is delivered becomes a fundamental aspect of precision medicine, acknowledging that nearly all bodily processes follow timed patterns. TimeTeller’s approach marks a step toward integrating circadian biology into everyday healthcare decisions, initially benefiting cancer patients and eventually broadening to other medical fields and wellness applications.