Last week marked a milestone for Epi One: we presented for the first time at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Chicago — one of the most prestigious and influential gatherings in global oncology. More than 20,000 scientists, clinicians, and innovators converge at AACR each year to share the latest breakthroughs in cancer research and clinical translation.
Our poster introduced pancreaScout™, a qPCR-based assay currently under development for the early detection of pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal and difficult-to-diagnose malignancies. Because pancreatic cancer is typically asymptomatic until advanced stages, curative surgery is rarely possible, and the five-year survival rate remains under 5%.
Epi One’s approach is novel and data-driven. By integrating epigenetic biomarkers — among the earliest changes in tumor development — with mutation detection, we’ve created a biomarker panel with the potential to transform early detection. pancreaScout™ is designed to be simple, cost-efficient, and scalable — enabling broader access to life-saving diagnostic insights.
At AACR, we shared results from our multi-phase study:
- Tissue validation (n=87) showed 87% sensitivity and 90% specificity
- Blood-based validation (n=41) showed 69% overall sensitivity, including early-stage detection in Stages 0–II
While the assay is still in development and not yet commercially available, the response from the scientific and clinical community was energizing. Researchers, clinicians, and potential partners engaged deeply with our work — reinforcing both the promise and urgency of what we’re building.
“Presenting at AACR was more than a scientific milestone — it marked Epi One’s emergence onto the global stage,” said Michael Marquardt, CEO of Epi One [pictured above]. “We’re developing an assay with real potential: scientifically rigorous, clinically meaningful, and scalable. These are the moments that early-stage investors and strategic partners look for — clear momentum built on breakthrough science.”
We return from AACR inspired and motivated, with new connections and reinforced conviction. We look forward to sharing more as we expand our clinical validation efforts and chart a path to commercialization.
