. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with to expand access to a multi-cancer detection (MCD) blood test in India, in partnership with Guardant Health, Inc., marking a push to broaden early cancer screening through a simple blood-based diagnostic.
The test will be made available in India under an exclusive arrangement between Zydus and Guardant Health, with Apollo Hospitals serving as the clinical partner for offering the screening service, an official statement from the company stated on Friday. The multi-cancer detection test is a methylation-based blood test designed to detect signals of multiple cancers through a single blood draw. It can screen for 10 common cancers, including bladder, colorectal, breast, prostate, oesophageal, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, particularly in individuals aged 45 and above who are at average risk.
The test has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recognising its potential to improve cancer screening outcomes compared with existing methods. “At Apollo, we have long believed that 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,” stated Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. He added that cancer remains a major health burden and that improving access to early screening is critical to reducing mortality.
Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., stated that the partnership aims to reimagine cancer diagnostics in India and expand access to newer screening technologies. “We are pleased to partner with Apollo Hospitals and Guardant Health to introduce a multi-cancer detection test in India, expanding access to an innovative screening technology that complements existing screening pathways,” he said.
Simranjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Guardant Health AMEA, said early detection can significantly improve cancer outcomes. “The multi-cancer detection test represents an important advancement in helping identify cancer-associated signals through a single blood draw. Together, we are expanding access to innovative screening technologies that can support earlier clinical evaluation and help shape the future of cancer care in India,” he added.
Cancer continues to be a major health concern in India, accounting for nearly 9% of deaths linked to non-communicable diseases. In 2022, over 1.41 million people were diagnosed with cancer, while more than 900,000 deaths were recorded. Among cancers, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, while oral cancer is the most common among men. However, screening rates remain low across the country, with significant regional disparities. Southern and western India report higher screening coverage, while the northern, central and northeastern regions lag behind.