Exalenz Bioscience launches clinical study for breath-based detection of primary liver cancer

Exalenz Bioscience has initiated a clinical study designed to investigate its BreathID® test to non-invasively detect primary liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

The 100 patient study will evaluate the efficacy of BreathID for the early detection of HCC compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is currently part of the recommended practice guidelines by leading medical organisations including the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Following completion of the study, Exalenz plans to conduct a Pivotal study and submit data to both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) in support of marketing approval.

“Our goal in primary liver cancer is to detect and treat it early. Accurately diagnosing liver cancer has been historically difficult because the disease often has no observable symptoms in its early stages and due to the dearth of non-invasive efficient diagnostic tools” said Prof. Yongping Yang, M.D., principal investigator of the study. “We are encouraged by the potential of BreathID as a new option for clinicians and patients for detecting liver cancer particularly in markets and institutions where conventional diagnostic technologies are not economically or practically feasible.”

Exalenz breath test demonstrated a very high correlation with imaging tests in a previous study

The efficacy of the Exalenz breath test for detection of HCC was evaluated in a prior clinical study, demonstrating a very high correlation with imaging tests like computed tomography that are currently the standard of care. The company estimates the market value of this test is approximately $380 million in China alone.

“The Exalenz BreathID test has shown promising early evidence of efficacy as a detection tool for liver cancer patients offering a non-invasive convenient and cost-effective alternative to currently available technologies” noted Larry Cohen, CEO of Exalenz Biosciences. “We are excited to launch this study and are optimistic about the BreathID platform to help clinicians detect liver cancer while reducing the cost burden to the healthcare system.”