A start-up that teams up AI and man’s best friend in an effort to detect cancer from human breath samples has landed another major opportunity to validate its approach.
SpotitEarly’s LUCID “bio-AI” platform leverage AI analysis along with dogs that are trained to identify the odor signatures of some cancers directly from breath samples, announced a partnership with the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health.
The new partnership follows a similar one announced last fall in which SpotitEarly aligned with Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey on a similar validation project, according to a story published at Fierce Healthcare.
SpotitEarly’s approach allows people to use at-home breath tests in the form of face masks that they can send in for evaluation by canines, which are known to have highly sensitive olfactory systems. The company’s platform applies AI and machine learning algorithms, along with “integrated sensors” to monitor the physiological and behavioral reactions the dogs have to the tests.
Under the terms of the master research collaboration agreement with Fox Chase, the healthcare facility will lead a multi-year, investigator-initiated clinical trial evaluating the performance of SpotitEarly’s exhaled-breath test in patients undergoing standard-of-care evaluation for suspected lung cancer. The collaboration combines direct research funding with a long-term strategic partnership model designed to align incentives and accelerate clinical translation, with the potential to expand this research framework to additional cancer indications and future applications beyond the initial lung cancer program.
Sangeeta Bardhan Cook, PhD, MBA, and Chief Innovation Officer, Fox Chase Cancer Center, stated, “SpotitEarly brings an unconventional yet scientifically promising approach to early detection, and we see tremendous potential in their innovative product and technology when combined with our robust clinical expertise. Together, we will open new doors to earlier diagnoses and, ultimately, better outcomes for patients."
“Working with Fox Chase Cancer Center was a natural next step for our organization as we continue to grow our footprint in the states,” said Shlomi Madar, PhD, CEO of SpotitEarly. “As a leader in cancer research, their team will provide us with access to a vast network of physicians and resources to collaborate on groundbreaking clinical trials and treatments, moving forward our mission of increasing accessibility to early cancer detection technology for millions.”
SpotitEarly said that in a completed prospective, double-blind clinical study involving more than 1,300 participants, the platform demonstrated overall sensitivity of ~94% across four common cancers, with strong performance in early-stage disease.