Zydus and Apollo Hospitals Partner to Launch Shield Multi-Cancer Detection Blood Test in India
Key Insights
Zydus Lifesciences signed an MoU with Apollo Hospitals to offer the Shield Multi-Cancer Detection blood test across India, leveraging its exclusive agreement with Guardant Health.
The methylation-based blood test screens for 10 cancer types—including breast, colorectal, liver, and lung—in individuals aged 45 and older at average risk.
The Shield MCD test has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, recognizing its potential to improve cancer screening over existing options.
Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Apollo Hospitals to expand access to the Shield Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) test in India, marking a significant step toward broadening precision oncology screening in a country with a substantial and growing cancer burden. The partnership builds on Zydus's exclusive agreement with Guardant Health, Inc., the U.S.-based precision oncology company that developed the test.
The Shield MCD test is a methylation-based blood test designed to detect multiple cancer types through a single blood draw. It screens for 10 of the most common cancers—bladder, colorectal, breast, prostate, oesophageal, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic—in individuals aged 45 or older who are at typical average risk for cancer. Many of these cancers carry high mortality rates in India.
The test has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a recognition that underscores its potential to provide more effective screening than existing options. The FDA designation referenced eight cancer types—bladder, colorectal, oesophageal, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer (search)—as defined by the agency at the time of designation. This designation does not imply FDA approval, clearance, or endorsement of the device's safety or effectiveness.
A Shared Commitment to Proactive Healthcare
Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group, emphasized the importance of shifting from treatment to prevention. "At Apollo, we have long believed that the most effective healthcare is proactive healthcare. The future of medicine lies not only in treating disease, but in preventing it and detecting it at its earliest, most treatable stages," he said. Dr. Reddy noted that cancer remains one of the greatest health challenges globally and that expanding access to timely, reliable screening is critical to reducing its impact.
Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, framed the initiative as part of the company's broader oncology strategy. "As India's leading oncology company, we are reimagining the role of diagnostics in cancer care. We are pleased to partner with Apollo Hospitals and Guardant Health to introduce Shield MCD in India, expanding access to an innovative screening technology that complements existing screening pathways," Dr. Patel said.
Simranjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Guardant Health AMEA, highlighted the clinical significance of the technology. "Earlier detection has the potential to transform cancer outcomes, and Shield MCD represents an important advancement in helping identify cancer-associated signals through a single blood draw," Singh said. He added that the collaboration aims to expand access to innovative screening technologies that can support earlier clinical evaluation and help shape the future of cancer care in India.
India's Cancer Burden and Screening Gaps
Cancer accounts for nearly nine percent of total deaths related to non-communicable diseases in India. In 2022, over 1.41 million individuals were diagnosed with cancer, and more than 900,000 deaths were recorded. Breast cancer (search) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women, while oral cancer (search) is the most common cancer among men.
Despite these figures, screening rates across India remain low, with wide disparities among states. Southern and western regions report the highest cancer screening coverage, while northern, central, and northeastern regions lag behind—highlighting the urgent need for wider access to early detection technologies such as the Shield MCD test.