CUHK’s Dennis Lo and Prenetics Group developing affordable, quick blood tests to detect cancer

A Hong Kong molecular biologist who pioneered non-invasive prenatal testing is working with a commercial company to develop a blood test kit that can detect genetic material of cancer cells, offering a game-changing approach to fighting the deadly disease and advancing the city’s role as a research and development hub for life sciences.

Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Hong Kong company Prenetics are establishing a US$200 million venture called Insighta to provide clinically administered blood tests for early-stage cancer cells in the liver, lungs, and other organs. The venture will be based at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP).