The Power of Early Detection. 

On World Cancer Day, the global focus is on improving cancer outcomes through earlier diagnosis, effective treatment pathways and sustained collaboration across healthcare systems. Early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve survival, particularly as diagnostic technologies continue to advance and create new opportunities to identify cancer at a treatable stage.

At Cizzle Biotechnology, this focus underpins the Company’s work. Detecting cancer earlier can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare systems, making innovation in diagnostics a critical part of the wider cancer strategy.

A national focus on finding cancer sooner

The NHS National Cancer Plan for England sets out one of the most ambitious cancer strategies in recent years. By 2028, the plan aims to increase the proportion of cancers diagnosed at stages 1 and 2 from around half today to three-quarters, a shift expected to save 55,000 additional lives per year.

The plan prioritises improved access to diagnosis and treatment, increased awareness of cancer symptoms, and expanded screening through more personalised and risk-stratified approaches. This policy direction reinforces the importance of earlier diagnosis and creates a strong environment for diagnostic technologies that support earlier identification of disease and more targeted screening strategies.

This framework creates significant opportunity for innovative diagnostic technologies that can support earlier detection and more targeted screening pathways.

Lung cancer: an urgent need for earlier diagnosis

Lung cancer remains one of the most significant challenges in oncology and is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Late diagnosis is the primary driver of poor outcomes, with many patients identified only once the disease has reached an advanced stage. The contrast is stark: five-year survival rates can reach 80–90% for early-stage lung cancer, compared with less than 10% for late-stage disease.

Blood-based biomarker tests have the potential to improve this picture. Our work focuses on developing diagnostic tests to support the early detection of lung cancer, with initial development centred on the CIZ1B biomarker, created in collaboration with the University of York. The objective is to provide a minimally invasive approach that aligns with national screening priorities and supports earlier clinical intervention.

Recently, patent applications claiming protection for methods that measure the CIZ1B lung cancer biomarker were granted by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. The patent relates to a two-step test format and complements existing patent protection elsewhere in the world. .

The test format is licensed to Cizzle Bio, Inc. for use in North America and the Caribbean, strengthening its position as commercialisation progresses. In parallel, the Company is focused on securing partnerships with accredited facilities in the UK and Europe, including the NHS, to support clinical validation and future adoption.

United by a shared mission

World Cancer Day reflects the principles of the World Cancer Day 2025–27 campaign, “United by Unique,” which places people at the centre of care and emphasises the importance of collective action to improve cancer outcomes. Progress against cancer depends on effective collaboration across research, healthcare systems, industry and policy, with each playing a distinct and complementary role.

As activity continues across intellectual property, partnerships and market preparation, Cizzle Biotechnology remains focused on building long-term value through technologies designed to support earlier cancer detection and deliver meaningful improvements in patient outcomes.