'A breakthrough in saving lives': Cizzle's blood test for lung cancer accredited for clinical use in US
York-based Cizzle Biotechnology Holdings has reported on a “landmark” half year in which its blood test for lung cancer was successfully accredited for clinical use in the US, the world’s largest diagnostics market.
Bosses at the York-based company described this development as a breakthrough in providing new means to improve detection rates and save lives.
Cizzle, which is a diagnostics developer of early cancer tests, said in a statement for investors: “In a major milestone in the first half of 2026, the company achieved successful laboratory accreditation of its proprietary test for the CIZ1B biomarker which is highly associated with early-stage lung cancer detection. This moves the company from its development phase to commercialisation and making the test available to people in North America is a first step to enable the possibility of global adoption.”
Professor Dawn Coverley, founder of Cizzle Biotechnology, said: “After years of work by dedicated scientists here in York, seeing the CIZ1B test finally move from bench to clinic is wonderful.
"We hope that its many practical advantages over other methods, including low cost and the need for very small quantities of blood, will mean that its use can be expanded into rapid and regular screening for lung cancer.”
Allan Syms, Chairman of Cizzle Biotechnology, said: “After decades of research and development, the first half of 2026 was a landmark period in the company’s history as we reported that our CIZ1B biomarker test for early-stage lung cancer had been validated for clinical use in a CLIA accredited laboratory in the US. The pioneering research by Professor Coverley and her team at the University of York is now available as a commercial blood test through our licensing and laboratory partners in the US. This success is a breakthrough in providing additional means to improving detection rates and ultimately saving lives. The company is now focused on early adoption and roll out across North America and in validating the test for use in the UK with leading cancer centres and the NHS.”
Cizzle told investors that the successful achievement of validation in a CLIA accredited facility and the start of Cizzle Biotechnology’s commercial phase, “brings with it an intense period to ensure early adoption and roll out”.
It added: “This includes working with our partners, key opinion leaders, clinicians, patient advocacy groups, occupational health groups, insurance companies and payers and here in the UK with the NHS. As part of our global licensing strategy, the board continues to investigate and negotiate further strategic commercial partnerships and royalty bearing agreements in the UK, Europe and in the Asia-Pacific region.”