California-based cancer detection company Freenome has entered a strategic partnership with pharmaceutical leader Roche to accelerate the global rollout of Freenome’s blood-based cancer screening tests.
Under the agreement, Freenome will evaluate Roche’s upcoming Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) technology for future product development. Roche is also preparing to secure exclusive rights to create at-home “kitted” medical tests, which may support broader availability of screening tools.
The collaboration is designed to speed up access to Freenome’s cancer tests in select markets outside the United States. Freenome will maintain rights to centralized testing internationally and within the U.S., in line with its existing licensing agreement with Exact Sciences.
Both companies will use SBX technology to strengthen Freenome’s cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening capabilities. Freenome will also work with Roche’s plasma sample collections to further develop personalized screening tests for several cancer types.
Freenome’s platform uses computational biology, machine learning and multiple data sources to detect early signals of cancer. “This partnership will enhance our multiomic blood-based cancer screening platform and accelerate our test pipeline,” said Freenome CEO Aaron Elliott. He added that combining Freenome’s innovations with Roche’s global reach will help the company bring its tests to more patients worldwide.
This collaboration follows a series of industry moves in cancer detection. In August, Exact Sciences acquired exclusive U.S. commercialization rights to Freenome’s colorectal cancer blood test. Earlier in 2024, Freenome raised $254 million in a financing round led by Roche to support development of early detection tests across multiple cancers.
Other players in the cancer-screening sector are also advancing new technologies. Hologic gained FDA clearance in 2024 for its Genius Digital Diagnostics System, which uses AI-powered digital cytology to help identify precancerous cervical lesions.
In Malaysia, Duopharma Biotech expanded community access to mobile breast-screening devices by partnering with UE LifeSciences to distribute the iBreastExam tool across primary care clinics in 2023.
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