OncoALERT is a rapid, point-of-care screening test for early detection of oral cancer, designed to integrate directly into national screening programs. It utilizes a semi-quantitative salivary biomarker-based lateral flow assay to offer instant, accurate, and affordable cancer testing without instruments or training.
Founders
Dr. Jayanti Kumari |Â
Biotech / Preventive Oncology / Medical Device (Diagnostics)
The Problem:
3rd most common cancer in India with over 210,000 cases diagnosed late, patients face high mortality due to delayed detection and laborious, costly conventional diagnostics.
The Solution:
OncoALERT provides an < 5 minute, painless, portable, instrument-free test that can be administered by anyone at just ₹80–100. It offers 90% sensitivity and specificity, enabling earlier, scalable detection and reducing diagnostic errors.
Who Benefits?
- Primary healthcare centers
- Community health workers (ASHAs)
- Private hospitals & clinics
- At-risk patients (smokers, tobacco users)
- National health schemes (NPCDCS, Ayushman Bharat)
Key Achievements
- Top 5 Scientist Entrepreneur – BRIC-DBT, Govt. of India
- Recognized as Top Medical Innovation by Médecins Sans Frontières Asia
- Media coverage in national dailies
- Provisional patent filed (202311085702)
- Ongoing clinical trials at ESIC, partnerships with Tata Memorial and Cachar Cancer Hospital & Research Centre
Societal Impact
OncoALERT has the potential to save 155,000 lives annually, improve outcomes for lakhs more, and save 98% of treatment costs by enabling early detection and intervention for oral cancer at the community level.
Vision for the Future
- Multi-centric clinical validation at NABL centers
- Full regulatory approval and CDSCO submission
- Nationwide deployment through B2B/G channels
- Further development of multiplex biomarker panels
- Integration into insurance-based and mass-screening programs
