In a significant step towards advancing cancer diagnostics in India, Zydus Lifesciences has teamed up with Apollo Hospitals to roll out Guardant Health's innovative Shield multi-cancer detection (MCD) blood test. This collaboration marks a growing focus by pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers on precision diagnostics and early disease detection.
Introducing the Shield MCD Test
The Shield test is a methylation-based blood test designed to screen for signals associated with ten common cancers: bladder, colorectal, breast, prostate, oesophageal, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic. It targets individuals aged 45 years and older who are at an average risk of cancer. The test requires just a single blood draw and is intended to work alongside, rather than replace, established cancer screening methods.
Addressing India's Cancer Burden
India faces a substantial cancer burden, with over 1.41 million people diagnosed and more than 900,000 succumbing to the disease in 2022. Cancer accounts for nearly 9% of all non-communicable disease-related deaths in the country. Breast cancer is the leading cause of mortality among women, while oral cancer is most prevalent in men. Furthermore, screening rates vary considerably across states, with northern, central, and northeastern regions lagging behind southern and western India.
This partnership aims to leverage multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, a burgeoning segment in global cancer diagnostics. Unlike traditional screening programs that typically focus on one cancer at a time, MCED tests analyze blood samples for biomarkers linked to multiple cancers concurrently.
“The most effective healthcare is proactive healthcare. The future of medicine lies not only in treating disease, but in preventing it and detecting it at its earliest, most treatable stages. Cancer continues to be a major health challenge, and expanding access to timely, reliable screening is critical to reducing its impact,” stated Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group.
Expanding Access to Precision Diagnostics
The collaboration follows an exclusive agreement between Zydus and US-based precision oncology firm Guardant Health to commercialize the Shield MCD test across India. Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Apollo Hospitals, the test will be available through the hospital chain’s extensive network.
Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, emphasized the importance of this expanded access. “Through focused awareness initiatives, we continue to encourage timely screening and proactive healthcare with our range of companion diagnostics. By expanding access to precision diagnostics, we stand committed to unlocking new possibilities in patient care,” he remarked.
Regulatory Status
The Shield MCD test has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific cancer indications. This designation acknowledges the technology’s potential to provide more effective treatment or diagnosis for life-threatening diseases but does not constitute full regulatory approval or clearance.