Owlstone Medical Awarded $49.1M for Cancer Detection Tests
- Owlstone Medical has been awarded a critically important contract, possibly reaching $49.1 million, from the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Health (ARPA-H).
- This initiative aims to address the critical need for earlier cancer diagnoses, which are strongly correlated with improved patient outcomes.
- Owlstone's Breath Biopsy® technology identifies volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in exhaled breath.
Owlstone Medical Secures Up to $49.1 Million for at-Home Multi-Cancer Early Detection
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Published October 6, 2024
Advancing Breath-Based Cancer Diagnostics
Owlstone Medical has been awarded a critically important contract, possibly reaching $49.1 million, from the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Health (ARPA-H). The funding will accelerate the development of a fully at-home multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test utilizing the company’s proprietary Breath Biopsy® technology.
This initiative aims to address the critical need for earlier cancer diagnoses, which are strongly correlated with improved patient outcomes. Currently, many cancers are detected at later stages, limiting treatment options and reducing survival rates.
How Breath Biopsy® Works
Owlstone’s Breath Biopsy® technology identifies volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in exhaled breath. These VOCs serve as biomarkers for various diseases,including cancer. The test is non-invasive,requiring patients to simply breathe into a device,offering a potentially more accessible and convenient alternative to traditional screening methods like blood tests or biopsies.
The ARPA-H funding will support a complete program encompassing clinical studies, test refinement, and the development of a user-pleasant at-home collection kit. The goal is to create a system that can detect multiple cancer types from a single breath sample.
ARPA-H’s Focus on Preventative Health
ARPA-H, established in 2022, is focused on accelerating breakthroughs in health research. This award to Owlstone Medical aligns with ARPA-H’s mission to develop transformative technologies that can prevent, detect, and treat diseases. The agency’s investment underscores the growing recognition of the potential of early detection in improving cancer survival rates.
The program will focus on demonstrating the clinical validity and utility of the at-home MCED test, paving the way for potential regulatory approval and widespread adoption. Prosperous completion of the program coudl significantly impact cancer screening practices and patient care.