- Indian patent protects AI-powered liquid biopsy platform designed to detect cancer early from a single blood sample
- Breakthrough cell-free DNA technology combines genomics, methylation science and machine learning to identify cancer and predict its tissue of origin
- Innovation promises scalable, non-invasive cancer screening as India grapples with over 1.5 million new cases annually
- Patent strengthens Reliance-backed Strand Life Sciences’ leadership in precision oncology and next-generation molecular diagnostics
NE HEALTH BUREAU
BENGALURU, JULY 8
In a breakthrough that could significantly reshape cancer screening in India, Strand Life Sciences, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, has secured a landmark Indian patent for an advanced blood-based early cancer detection platform that uses cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and artificial intelligence to identify cancer at its earliest stages from a simple blood sample.
The patented technology integrates next-generation genome sequencing, stringent quality control, biologically informed methylation analysis, fragmentomic feature extraction and machine learning algorithms to detect cancer and accurately predict its tissue of origin—all without the need for invasive diagnostic procedures.
A major scientific innovation underlying the patent is its ability to capture genome-wide methylation patterns—one of the earliest biological signatures of cancer—through high-quality genome sequencing with minimal data loss. This significantly enhances the sensitivity and reliability of detecting malignancies before symptoms appear.
The development assumes particular significance as India is estimated to record more than 1.5 million new cancer cases every year, with a substantial proportion diagnosed only at advanced stages, when treatment options are fewer and survival outcomes are considerably poorer.
Unlike conventional screening programmes that are restricted to a limited number of cancers and often require specialised infrastructure, the patented platform has the potential to enable large-scale, non-invasive cancer screening as genome sequencing becomes increasingly affordable.
Highlighting the significance of the innovation, Ramesh Hariharan, Chief Executive Officer of Strand Life Sciences, said:
“Early detection is an increasingly relevant topic as cancer is becoming one of India’s greatest public health challenges. This patent reflects our commitment to developing scientifically rigorous, AI-enabled liquid biopsy technologies that can help detect cancer earlier from a simple blood sample. We believe this innovation represents an important step towards making precision cancer screening more accurate, scalable, and accessible.”
The patent further strengthens Strand Life Sciences’ intellectual property portfolio in liquid biopsy technologies and reinforces the company’s strategic focus on developing integrated AI-driven molecular diagnostics for early cancer detection and precision oncology.
With advances in genomics, artificial intelligence and molecular medicine converging rapidly, the newly patented platform has the potential to accelerate the transition from reactive cancer treatment to proactive cancer detection—opening the door to earlier interventions, improved survival rates and more personalised patient care.
