Owlstone Medical has received an award of up to $49.1 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to support its Platform Optimizing SynBio for Early Intervention and Detection in Oncology (POSEIDON) programme. The initiative aims to develop first-in-class synthetic-sensor based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests capable of detecting 30+ solid tumors at Stage I using breath and urine samples, suitable for at-home or over-the-counter use.

Almost 40% of Americans will develop cancer in their lifetimes, and cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the U.S. Late-stage diagnoses carry higher treatment costs and worse outcomes, while early detection significantly improves survival and reduces healthcare expenditure. Existing screening methods are limited in early-stage performance and geographic accessibility, making new approaches essential.

POSEIDON will combine Owlstone’s EVOC® probe technology with inhaled synthetic sensors that circulate through the body and accumulate on cancer cells. The sensors produce DNA-based barcodes or volatile organic compounds detectable in urine or breath samples. The collected data can be uploaded in real-time to electronic health records (EHR) for rapid review by healthcare professionals, integrating seamlessly into digitally enabled care pathways.

“The field of cancer screening needs a revolution, and POSEIDON stands ready to deliver,” said Ross Uhrich, DMD, MBA, POSEIDON programme manager. “The programme allows for a better future by creating broadly accessible, at-home tests that will accurately detect 30+ cancers as early as Stage I, when tumors are still small and the chances of survival are high. POSEIDON will allow every American the opportunity to test themselves long before they have symptoms and at their discretion.”

Billy Boyle, co-founder and CEO at Owlstone Medical, added: “Access to an accurate and low-cost MCED test that does not require a doctor’s visit or laboratory testing is key to preventing late-stage diagnoses. This award validates both breath as a diagnostic approach and Owlstone’s EVOC® probes as a reporter technology to overcome the shortcomings and challenges that have held back early cancer detection previously. We are grateful to ARPA-H for the opportunity to bring transformative MCED testing to every American within the next decade.”

The programme brings together a consortium of partners, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Qurin B.V., and Planned Systems International, combining expertise in synthetic biology, oncology, medical devices, and large-scale translational science to develop low-cost, accessible early cancer detection solutions.