SoftBank-backed biotech firm brings Asia cancer diagnostic tools

AI innovator Guardant Health will launch lab in Japan, seeks partners in China

20201019 guardant health

A new technology allows physicians to detect cancer through a blood test. (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

MITSURU OBE and WATARU SUZUKI, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Asia accounts for less than 50% of the world's cancer patients but almost 60% of cancer deaths, partly due to lack of early detection.

SoftBank-affiliated Silicon Valley biotech venture Guardant Health thinks it can help. From a simple blood test, its diagnostic platform can identify a genetic mutation behind a patient's cancer in just a week. This lets the patient's doctor provide targeted treatment and paves the way for personalized medicine.

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