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Startup Battlefield participant SpotitEarly utilized a combination of trained canines and artificial intelligence to detect prevalent types of cancer.

Startup Battlefield participant SpotitEarly utilized a combination of trained canines and artificial intelligence to detect prevalent types of cancer.

Bitget-RWA2025/10/09 20:00
By:Bitget-RWA

Implementing thorough early cancer screening is crucial for maximizing lives saved.

While multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests are still under investigation and have not yet received FDA clearance, a few are already on the market for those willing to pay privately. Patients may request their physician to order the Galleri blood test from Grail, or choose a full-body MRI from providers such as Prenuvo or Ezra, which typically cost upwards of $2,000.

In the near future, consumers will have access to another innovative approach for detecting multiple cancers.

SpotitEarly , a biotechnology startup featured at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025’s Startup Battlefield, is working on a home-based cancer screening that utilizes dogs’ extraordinary olfactory abilities in combination with artificial intelligence to analyze breath samples.

According to SpotitEarly CEO Shlomi Madar, who spoke with TechCrunch, mounting evidence shows that dogs can be trained to identify illnesses, particularly cancer, in people. “There are also anecdotal accounts of pet owners whose dogs sensed something was wrong long before a diagnosis was made,” he explained.

With a background spanning 15 years in health and biotech, Madar teamed up with three colleagues—including a former K9 unit leader—to create a dependable technology for cancer detection using breath analysis.

To use the service, individuals collect a breath sample at home and send it to SpotitEarly’s laboratory. The company’s team of 18 specially trained beagles is tasked with identifying cancer-related scents. When the dogs detect cancer markers, they are trained to sit, and the company’s AI system verifies their responses.

“We have cameras installed above the lab, microphones to record the dogs’ breathing, and we track their heart rates. Essentially, our machine learning system understands the baseline for the entire group of dogs,” Madar noted. “This approach is more precise than relying solely on a handler’s observation.”

Research published in Nature’s Scientific Reports demonstrated that these trained dogs could identify early-stage cancer in breath samples with an accuracy rate of 94%. The double-blind clinical trial, which included 1,400 participants, focused on detecting the four most prevalent cancers: breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung.

Founded in Israel in 2020, SpotitEarly revealed in May that it is entering the U.S. market, backed by $20.3 million in investment from Hanaco VC, Menomedin VC, Jeff Swartz (former Timberland CEO), and Avishai Abrahami (Wix.com CEO).

The company intends to use these funds to broaden its clinical research, beginning with breast cancer tests and later expanding to the other three major cancers.

Madar stated that SpotitEarly’s home testing kits are expected to be available to patients through a network of doctors next year. Each individual cancer test will cost about $250, with additional cancer screenings available at a reduced price. The company’s goal is to make its multi-cancer panel more affordable than competitors like Grail’s Galleri, which usually costs around $950.

Regarding the dogs, Madar emphasized that they are considered part of the team. All staff must be fond of dogs, he said. “We don’t treat them merely as biological sensors. They have ample space to play. They’re excellent at their jobs, but they’re also wonderful companions.”

If you’d like to hear directly from SpotitEarly, watch more startup presentations, join insightful workshops, and network for business growth, click here for more details about this year’s Disrupt , happening October 27–29 in San Francisco. 

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Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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