Apollo Cancer Centres Becomes First in India to Offer Shield Multi-Cancer Detection Blood Test
Hyderabad, July 3 (TNT): Apollo Cancer Centres (ACCs) has partnered with Zydus Lifesciences to introduce the Shield Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) blood test in India, becoming the first healthcare institution in the country to offer access to the laboratory-developed test developed by precision oncology company Guardant Health.
The collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Friday.
The test is designed to detect cancer-associated signals through a single blood sample, supporting early detection of multiple cancers, Apollo said in a release here.
The launch comes against the backdrop of India’s rising cancer burden, with cases projected to reach 2.08 million by 2040, a 57.5 per cent increase from 2020 levels.
More than 1.41 million cancer cases were reported in the country in 2022, while screening rates continue to remain low.
The Shield MCD is a methylation-based blood test intended for individuals aged 45 years and above who are at average risk for cancer.
It is designed to detect multiple cancers, including bladder, colorectal, breast, prostate, oesophageal, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
In the United States, the test has received the Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Apollo Hospitals Executive Vice Chairperson Dr Preetha Reddy said early detection remains the most effective strategy for improving cancer outcomes and that introducing the Shield MCD test would help expand access to advanced screening while encouraging greater awareness about prevention and early diagnosis.
Apollo Hospitals CEO and Clinical Head (Oncology) Dr Harit K. Chaturvedi said the blood test offers strong sensitivity and specificity for several cancers and can provide significant clinical value when used under professional medical guidance, although it is not a substitute for existing screening methods.
Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to expanding access to precision diagnostics and encouraging timely cancer screening in India.
Guardant Health AMEA Chief Executive Officer Simranjit Singh said the collaboration would help make innovative screening technology more accessible and support earlier clinical evaluation, with the potential to improve cancer outcomes.
Apollo Hospitals said the introduction of the Shield MCD test further strengthens its portfolio of advanced oncology services, which already includes precision oncology, genomics, proton therapy, robotic surgery and AI-enabled healthcare solutions.
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