Fellow’s biotechnology research part of Government GP trial into early cancer detection 

Professor Bernardes, a Professor of Chemical Biology at the University of Cambridge and Proteotype boardmember, said: “This is an honour for our team and, I believe, reflects the operational readiness and clinical capabilities we have worked hard to establish.

“For a company of our size to be entrusted with opening a major national NHS trial alongside established and well-resourced diagnostics companies is particularly meaningful.”

The Enlighten test looks for proteins in the blood that indicate an immune response to cancer. The trial, called STRIDE-RCT, will take place across at least 200 GP practices in England, evaluating whether these new blood tests can help GPs identify patients who may have cancer earlier.

A positive result will help the GP and patient decide if an urgent referral is needed; it is not by itself a confirmed cancer diagnosis.

Yvette Cooper, the health secretary, said: “The earlier cancers are diagnosed, the more chance they can be successfully treated and lives can be saved. This world-first trial will establish whether simple blood tests can help GPs identify much sooner the patients who need urgent support.”