In a simple blood draw, the multi-cancer screening tool can screen for the risk of up to 10 common cancers
The LucenceINSIGHT test from Lucence is designed for multi-cancer early detection. (Credit: Lucence Health Inc.)
Lucence, a Singapore-based precision oncology company, has unveiled its multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test dubbed LucenceINSIGHT at its US headquarters.
The unveiling event was graced by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, and the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) chairman.
According to Lucence, in a simple blood draw, the multi-cancer screening tool can screen for the risk of up to 10 common cancers.
The ctDNA-based liquid biopsy test secured Medicare coverage in the US in February 2023.
Lucence indicated that amid an increasing cancer crisis, limited availability of screening resources and low uptake of conventional cancer screening methods are resulting in majority of the cases present in late-stage.
When cancer is detected early it is most treatable, which can avoid unnecessary deaths from the disease, said the company, which was founded in Singapore in 2016 as a spin-off from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
Lucence CEO and medical director Min-Han Tan said: “We’re honoured by DPM Heng’s visit and the opportunity to showcase Lucence’s launch of LucenceINSIGHT and our U.S. growth.
“Our mission is early cancer detection through a single blood test, when cancer is most treatable hopefully for cure. We strongly believe in collaboration with partners who are motivated to overcome cancer together globally.”
Lucence is rolling out the LucenceINSIGHT test first internationally and with a follow-up launch in the US in the third quarter of this year.
Enterprise Singapore managing director and chief operating officer Jeffrey Siow said: “Enterprise Singapore supported Lucence to commercialise its technology and enter the US market, so we are very happy to witness the launch of the LucenceINSIGHT MCED test today.
“Lucence’s success illustrates the competitiveness of Singapore’s biomedical ecosystem and the importance of sustained investment in research and development, especially for this sector.”