Multi-cancer screening draws investment as clinical hurdles remain
EXAS•An industry analysis said investment in multi-cancer early detection is growing despite clinical validation hurdles. GRAIL’s NHS-Galleri trial, with more than 142,000 participants, did not show a statistically significant reduction in stage III and IV cancer diagnoses.
1. Trial results and investment
GRAIL’s NHS-Galleri trial involved more than 142,000 participants but did not show a statistically significant reduction in stage III and IV cancer diagnoses. Samsung invested $110 million in GRAIL in 2026, while Freenome raised more than $300 million through its IPO for blood-based cancer diagnostics.
2. Acquisition and further study
Abbott acquired Exact Sciences in a deal valuing the cancer diagnostics company at about $21 billion. The National Cancer Institute’s Vanguard study will assess testing and diagnostic follow-up in up to 24,000 participants, with results intended to inform a larger randomized trial.
