EARLY Labs has developed a non-invasive diagnostic platform that detects cancer-associated volatile organic compound (VOC) signatures in urine and analyses them with an AI and machine learning algorithm. Check4Cancer is encouraged by the high sensitivity for lung cancer detection already achieved by EARLY Labs and looks forward to a closer collaboration to design, produce and commercially launch evidence-based and validated early cancer detection tests for lung cancer and other common cancers based on VOCs in urine.

Professor Wishart, founder, CEO & Chief Medical Officer at Check4Cancer, commented, “We recognise the requirement to develop new technologies for early cancer detection. For example, at-home HPV testing for cervical screening was introduced by Check4Cancer in 2015 based on published evidence at that time, some 10 years ahead of the NHS”.

Prof Gordon Wishart went on to say that “Our partnership with EARLY Labs provides an opportunity to develop an early cancer detection test for 2-3 common cancers, based on a single urine sample, which would have great appeal across self-pay, insured and corporate sectors in the UK, as well as outside the UK”.

Michal Mark Danieli, PhD, Founder and CEO at EARLY Labs said, “This partnership accelerates our mission to make early cancer detection simpler and more accessible. Analysing cancer-linked VOC signatures in urine with advanced AI and machine learning allows us to explore a single-sample test that could screen for multiple common cancers. Together with Check4Cancer, we will focus on rigorous validation and commercial deployment so that individuals and employers can benefit from earlier cancer detection and earlier medical intervention”.

This collaboration between Check4Cancer and EARLY Labs has the potential to offer a digitally enabled, non-invasive, home-based early cancer detection approach for common cancers that complements existing screening frameworks and reaches populations beyond current guidelines.