A biotech company combining artificial intelligence with canine scent detection to identify early-stage cancer through breath samples has launched in the US.

The launch follows a $20 million funding round to support its expansion.

SpotitEarly, which uses an in-house platform to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with four major cancers, aims to make its at-home screening test available to US consumers in 2026. The company reported a 94 percent accuracy rate in a two-year clinical trial involving 1,400 participants.

The startup has drawn support from venture capital firms and private investors, including Hanaco VC, Menomedin VC, and the BIRD Foundation, which funds US-Israeli industrial R&D collaborations. Among its backers are the former CEO of Timberland and the CEO of Wix.com.

The test is designed to screen for breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers using a face mask breath sample analyzed by LUCID AI technology. This system collects data on behavioral and physiological signals from trained canines that detect scent markers associated with cancer.

Supporters of the approach argue that it offers a less invasive and more accessible alternative to traditional cancer screening methods, which can be costly and uncomfortable.

“Early detection can improve survival rates and reduce system-wide treatment costs,” said Alon Lifshitz, co-founder and general partner at Hanaco Ventures.

“SpotitEarly is addressing a major gap in preventive care.”

To support expansion and research partnerships in the U.S., SpotitEarly has appointed several American advisors and researchers, including Dr Len Lichtenfeld, former deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society, who now serves as the company’s chief medical officer. Academic collaborations are underway, including one with the University of Pennsylvania.

SpotitEarly has opened a Series A funding round under Regulation D for accredited investors.