Genetron Health Leverages Precision Screening and Risk Stratification to Address Rising Demand in China's Cancer Early Detection Market

According to the latest 2020 global cancer burden data released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization, it is estimated that there were 19.29 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2020, with China accounting for 4.57 million new cases, representing 23.7% of the global total. It is also estimated that there were 9.96 million cancer deaths globally in 2020, with China accounting for 3 million deaths, representing 30% of the global total.

Cancer has become one of the major factors seriously threatening the life and health of the Chinese population. The Outline of the “Healthy China 2030” Plan proposes to increase the overall five-year cancer survival rate by 15% by 2030, and emphasizes the need to strengthen screening for chronic diseases and early detection of malignant tumors.

However, for a long time, traditional cancer screening methods have been plagued by issues such as invasiveness, radiation exposure, operational inconvenience, and low accuracy, leading to poor patient compliance. This has also been the primary reason for the slow growth in the penetration and coverage rates of early cancer screening in China.

Advances in genetic technology have made convenient and accurate early cancer screening possible. Compared with the companion diagnostics market, early cancer screening products feature a higher technological ceiling; few companies possess the requisite testing capabilities and proprietary patents, and no dominant players have yet emerged, leaving greater opportunities for entrepreneurs. Consequently, early cancer screening has become the next growth engine for the genomics industry, attracting numerous genetically testing firms with strong technical foundations, among which Hangzhou Heyi Gene Technology Co., Ltd. stands out as a leader.

Heyi Gene has been deeply engaged in the field of cancer-prevention genetics for many years. Leveraging gene testing technology and oncology as its entry point, the company utilizes world-leading gene detection and big data computing technologies to provide customers with precise early cancer screening and risk assessment services, aiming to help individuals mitigate cancer threats at an earlier stage.

In the healthcare sector, the characteristics of a team often determine the success or failure of a startup. Wang Junyi, founder of Heyi Gene, holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and previously served as Senior Vice President at BGI Genomics. Dedicated to genetic research, he has published more than 20 papers in top-tier journals such as Nature and Nature Genetics. He was listed among the “Highly Cited Researchers” globally in 2019 and 2020, and has been selected for several prestigious talent programs, including Shenzhen’s “National-Level Leading Talent,” Zhejiang Province’s “Ten Thousand Talents Program,” and Hangzhou Binjiang’s High-Level Talent Program for Domestic and Overseas Experts.

Heyi Gene places great emphasis on the technical expertise accumulated within its team. In addition to the R&D team’s focus on developing gene technologies related to cancer prevention, the marketing team also possesses a strong professional technical background. This team structure enables Heyi Gene to gain more precise insights and a deeper understanding of industry trends, market demands, technological developments, and business strategies, thereby allowing it to provide customers with more professional cancer-prevention genetic testing services. In the area of early cancer screening, Heyi Gene has launched “Chang Yi Ning,” an early screening product for colorectal cancer, and “You Yi Ning,” a screening product for Helicobacter pylori, the pathogenic bacterium associated with gastric cancer.

China has become the country with the highest incidence of colorectal cancer globally, with new cases increasing from 388,000 in 2015 to 440,000 in 2019, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%. Early detection and early treatment are key to reducing the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer. “Chang Yining” employs advanced multi-target stool DNA testing technology. Based on a DNA methylation detection platform and extensive clinical sample test results, it has established a colorectal cancer risk classification model. By detecting levels of various types of colorectal tumor markers specific to the Chinese population in samples, it enables early screening for colorectal cancer, providing users with non-invasive, precise, and convenient early screening services. The sensitivity for detecting colorectal cancer is as high as 92.3%, while the sensitivity for detecting advanced adenomas (precancerous lesions) is 60%, with a specificity of 90%.

Another product, “Youyining,” is designed for the detection of high-risk pathogenic bacteria associated with gastric cancer and their drug resistance. Helicobacter pylori is a high-risk pathogen for gastric cancer; infection with this bacterium easily leads to chronic inflammation and significantly increases the risk of duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, and gastric cancer. Due to its widespread transmission routes, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Chinese population exceeds 50%, making Helicobacter pylori screening one of the important methods for early gastric cancer screening.

“YouYiNing” employs fecal DNA molecular detection technology to not only identify Helicobacter pylori infection but also analyze whether the strain is high-risk and assess its antibiotic resistance profile. This guides treatment decisions and regimens for H. pylori eradication, thereby avoiding both overlooked risks and ineffective therapies. Unlike similar products, “YouYiNing” integrates three core functions: screening, treatment decision support, and medication guidance. It enables non-invasive, convenient at-home sample collection and is suitable for elderly individuals and children who cannot undergo the carbon-14 urea breath test.

When it comes to cancer prevention, early cancer screening is undoubtedly the top priority. Currently, early cancer screening is recommended for individuals at high risk of cancer. For instance, the first colorectal cancer early screening product in China to obtain a Class III medical device certification for early cancer screening is indicated for individuals aged 40–74 years who are at high risk for colorectal cancer, and it is not intended for early cancer screening in the general population. However, with the cancer prevalence rate in China reaching as high as 22%, cancer prevention efforts need to cover a broader population.

For the general population, blindly using cancer early screening products without knowing one’s own cancer risk is of limited value. Therefore, a more effective screening strategy is to first determine whether one belongs to a high-risk group for cancer and, if so, which specific type(s) of cancer, and then undertake targeted prevention and screening.

Currently, in addition to assessing an individual’s cancer risk based on factors such as age, family history, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions, Heyi Gene has developed a solution applicable to all healthy individuals: cancer risk screening based on genetic susceptibility genes.

The World Health Organization states that the development of cancer is jointly determined by genetic predisposition and environmental factors. As individuals vary in their genetic makeup, their risk of developing cancer also differs. To comprehensively address the cancer prevention needs of both high-risk and healthy populations, Heyi Gene has deployed a product line for cancer risk screening. This strategic product layout enables accurate identification of individuals at high risk for cancer and facilitates the formulation of personalized early-screening protocols for these groups. This approach creates a closed-loop business model, expands the user base for cancer prevention services, and advances the window for cancer prevention.

The cancer risk screening product developed by Heyi Gene employs high-density genotyping microarrays and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to detect disease-associated genetic/susceptibility loci specific to the Chinese population. It provides a comprehensive interpretation of individual genetic information related to cancer. Leveraging extensive literature, database resources, and genetic data from over hundreds of thousands of individuals accumulated by Heyi Gene, we have established a disease risk prediction model. This model offers users predictions of genetic and susceptibility risks for diseases, helping healthy individuals identify risk factors, initiate early health management, and achieve precise cancer prevention.

To reduce costs, Heyi Gene has developed a personalized panel customization platform that employs a “core combination + targeted item combination” approach to meet the testing needs of users across different channels. This enables standardized operations for diverse sample types, reduces testing costs, and ultimately lowers product prices, delivering strong cost-effectiveness and competitive advantage. Meanwhile, the company has assembled a professional team of genetic counselors and nutritionists who provide personalized guidance on subsequent health management plans and early screening strategies, thereby enhancing product value.

In terms of business model, given the high technical content, low purchase frequency, and certain cognitive barriers associated with cancer prevention products, OneGene adopts a B2B2C model, providing services to business clients who ultimately serve end consumers. Currently, OneGene has established partnerships with numerous health examination centers and insurance companies, integrating its products into their service packages. By leveraging the solid customer base and extensive sales forces of these partners, OneGene is rapidly increasing the coverage and penetration rate of its cancer-prevention genetic testing products.

The "Prevention-Screening Combination" product line model enables users to conduct pan-cancer risk assessments at a lower initial cost, followed by targeted prevention and screening for high-risk cancer types. This business model not only supports the company’s own promotional efforts but also empowers partner organizations, such as health checkup centers and insurance providers, by encouraging their clients to proactively enhance their health risk protection. Ultimately, this approach achieves a win-win-win outcome for end consumers (C-side), business partners (B-side), and the company itself.

As cancer incidence trends toward younger populations and public health awareness continues to rise, demand for cancer prevention and health management is increasing year by year. The field of cancer-prevention genetics has emerged as a hot new sector, with expectations that more types of genetic products for cancer prevention will enter the market, leading to continuous improvements in product conversion and penetration rates.

Leveraging the tailwinds of industry development, Heyi Gene will focus on the cancer prevention sector, continuously improving and optimizing its cancer prevention product portfolio, and advancing the regulatory registration of related products. Meanwhile, the company plans to expand from single-cancer early screening to multi-cancer early screening, offering customers a richer array of products and services to meet the diverse cancer prevention needs of a broader client base.