Freenome

What is Freenome?

Freenome is a biotechnology and medical diagnostics company founded in 2014 by Gabriel Otte. The platform combines advanced molecular science, genomics, and machine learning to identify signals of cancer at an early stage through a common blood test (a process known clinically as liquid biopsy). The company's primary focus is the early screening of colorectal cancer and other types of aggressive tumors before physical symptoms appear.

How it works

Unlike traditional biopsies that require surgical removal of tissues, Freenome analyzes small blood samples collected at partner laboratories. The platform uses multiomics, which simultaneously examines multiple types of cellular biomarkers: cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments, cell-free RNA (cfRNA), and proteins linked to the immune system. The company's artificial intelligence models analyze these massive biological signatures in search of cellular patterns and anomalies associated with tumors, providing a highly accurate predictive report on the presence of cancer or precancerous lesions.

Key features

• Integrated Multiomics Platform: Holistic analysis crossing molecular data from DNA, RNA, and circulating protein signatures.
• Colorectal Cancer Early Screening: Effective detection of advanced adenomas and early-stage tumors that could go unnoticed by other tests.
• Machine Learning Modeling: Computational classifiers trained on huge clinical datasets to minimize false positives and negatives.
• Regulatory Compliance: Tests developed under strict CLIA and CAP certified laboratory standards in the United States.

Available integrations

Freenome's technology is used at the healthcare enterprise level. It integrates with major clinical analysis laboratory networks, large oncology hospitals, and electronic health record systems of primary care providers.

Who it is for

• Hospitals and primary care networks looking to offer non-invasive cancer screening alternatives to patients.
• Patients in colorectal cancer risk groups who avoid or have restrictions for conventional invasive colonoscopies.
• Oncology researchers and pharmaceutical companies collaborating in clinical trials to develop new biomarkers.

Real use cases

1. Non-Invasive Screening: Patients perform a simple annual blood test instead of undergoing sedation and periodic colonoscopy procedures, monitoring intestinal lesions painlessly.
2. Partnership with Health Plans: Major health insurance companies use Freenome's technology to engage eligible beneficiaries in preventive cancer screenings, reducing the cost of late-stage high-cost oncology treatments.

Pricing

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Totally non-invasive preventive screening method (only blood collection).
• High sensitivity in detecting early colorectal cancer.
• Helps democratize access to diagnosis in remote communities.

Cons:

• Does not replace definitive colonoscopy for biopsy and physical removal of detected polyps.
• Commercial availability and regulatory coverage limited outside the United States.

Alternatives to Freenome

Key biotechnology companies in liquid biopsies and cancer detection are:

• Grail (Galleri Test): Famous for its blood test that detects more than 50 different types of cancer early.
• Exact Sciences (Cologuard): Known for the non-invasive stool test for home screening of colorectal cancer.
• Guardant Health (Shield): Developer of liquid biopsies focused on oncology screening and monitoring.