The agreement follows an exclusive arrangement between Zydus Lifesciences and Guardant Health to introduce the Shield MCD test in India.
Under the MoU, Apollo Hospitals will offer the methylation-based blood test, which uses a single blood sample to detect cancer-associated signals linked to bladder, colorectal, breast, prostate, oesophageal, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian and pancreatic cancers.The test has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration, although the designation does not represent regulatory approval or clearance.
Low screening rates despite high cancer burdenAccording to company data, cancer accounted for nearly 9% of deaths related to non-communicable diseases in India. More than 1.41 million cancer cases were diagnosed in 2022, while over 900,000 deaths were recorded. The company also said screening rates remain low, with differences in coverage across regions.
Prathap C Reddy, Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group, said the collaboration aims to support earlier diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes.
Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, said the company is focused on increasing awareness around screening and expanding access to diagnostic tools.
Simranjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Guardant Health AMEA, said earlier detection could improve cancer outcomes and that the collaboration would help increase access to the screening technology in India.
Shares of Zydus Lifesciences were trading 2.56% higher at ₹1,127.90 on the NSE in afternoon trade on Friday (July 3) following the announcement.
Shares of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, the parent company of Apollo Hospitals, were also up 1.74% at ₹8,847.00.
