Bengaluru, July 09: Strand Life Sciences, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, today announced the grant of an Indian patent for its proprietary technology that enables early cancer detection through a simple blood test. The patented platform leverages cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis, advanced genomics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify cancer-associated methylation patterns and predict the tissue of origin, paving the way for more accurate, scalable, and non-invasive cancer screening.
The patent covers an integrated liquid biopsy platform that combines high-quality genome sequencing, rigorous quality control, biologically informed methylation and fragmentomic feature extraction, and machine learning algorithms to detect cancer signals from a blood sample. The technology has been designed to improve sensitivity for detecting cancer at its earliest stages while enabling identification of the organ from which the cancer originates.
Cancer remains one of India’s fastest-growing public health concerns, with over 1.5 million new cases estimated annually. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of patients continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment options become more complex and survival outcomes decline. While existing screening programmes have improved outcomes for select cancers, they currently cover only a limited number of cancer types and remain difficult to scale across large populations.
Strand‘s patented technology addresses these challenges by harnessing the power of genome-wide methylation profiling. Changes in DNA methylation patterns are among the earliest biological signatures of cancer. One of the key innovations protected under the patent is the ability to reliably capture these methylation signals through genome sequencing with minimal sample loss or processing failure, significantly enhancing the accuracy and reliability of early detection.
By integrating AI-driven analysis with advanced molecular diagnostics, the platform has the potential to make population-scale cancer screening more practical as sequencing technologies become increasingly affordable. The approach could help expand access to precision screening without requiring significant additions to existing healthcare infrastructure.
Commenting on the milestone, Ramesh Hariharan, CEO, Strand Life Sciences, said: “Early detection is becoming increasingly critical as cancer emerges as one of India’s greatest public health challenges. This patent reflects our commitment to developing scientifically rigorous, AI–enabled liquid biopsy technologies that can help detect cancer earlier from a simple blood sample. We believe this innovation marks an important step towards making precision cancer screening more accurate, scalable, and accessible, ultimately enabling better clinical outcomes through earlier intervention.”
The newly granted patent further strengthens Strand Life Sciences‘ intellectual property portfolio in liquid biopsy technologies and reinforces the company’s long-term strategy of advancing AI–enabled molecular diagnostics for precision oncology. It also reflects the company’s continued investment in translating cutting-edge genomic research into clinically relevant solutions that can improve patient care and support the future of preventive healthcare.
