Mumbai: Zydus Lifesciences has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Apollo Hospitals to expand access to Guardant Health’s Shield™ Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) test in India. The collaboration aims to strengthen early cancer detection by integrating advanced molecular diagnostics into routine clinical practice, enabling timely intervention and more personalised treatment pathways.
The partnership builds on Zydus’ growing leadership in oncology and its research-led growth strategy. In FY26, the company reported revenue from operations of ₹27,148 crore and invested ₹2,273 crore, or 8.4% of revenue, in research and development. Its innovation pipeline has resulted in two commercialised New Chemical Entities (NCEs), while its oncology portfolio spans affordable biologics, immuno-oncology therapies and precision diagnostics.
Dr. Keyur Parekh, President, BU Biologics & Corporate Strategy, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., said,”Early detection can fundamentally shift cancer care from managing disease to improving outcomes. Guardant Health brings advanced molecular diagnostics, Apollo Hospitals contributes deep clinical expertise, and Zydus adds its understanding of Indian patients, clinician relationships and market access. Together, we aim to make precision diagnostics and proactive cancer screening an integral part of the cancer care journey in India.”
As part of its broader innovation strategy, Zydus continues to strengthen its global R&D footprint. The company is the only Indian pharmaceutical company to have commercialised two New Chemical Entities (NCEs). Saroglitazar is currently under review by the US FDA for Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), while Desidustat, an oral therapy for anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease, has received regulatory approval in China, reinforcing the company’s focus on taking Indian innovation to global markets.
Designed for adults aged 45 years and above who are at average risk of cancer, Shield™ uses a single blood draw to detect signals associated with 10 common cancers, including breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, liver, prostate, bladder, gastric and oesophageal cancers.
The partnership comes at a critical time for India, which recorded over 1.41 million new cancer cases and more than 900,000 cancer-related deaths in 2022. With cancer screening rates remaining low and uneven across the country, expanding access to patient-friendly molecular diagnostics has the potential to support earlier diagnosis, improve treatment planning and strengthen long-term patient outcomes.
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