20/20 BioLabs Exclusively Licenses PSA Velocity Algorithm From the University of South Carolina

Why It Matters

By adding longitudinal risk assessment to PSA screening, the algorithm could improve early detection of lethal prostate cancers while reducing over‑diagnosis, strengthening 20/20’s AI‑driven diagnostic portfolio and expanding its market reach.

Key Takeaways

• Exclusive worldwide license for PSA velocity algorithm
• Algorithm detects aggressive prostate tumors before PSA threshold
• Integrated into 20/20’s OneTest for Cancer platform
• Will be offered as SaaS to labs globally
• Joint research planned for CA 125 and CA 19.9 velocity

Pulse Analysis

Prostate‑specific antigen testing has long been a cornerstone of early‑stage prostate cancer screening, yet its static threshold approach often fails to distinguish aggressive disease from benign elevations. The newly licensed PSA velocity algorithm leverages serial PSA measurements to calculate the rate of change, flagging steep rises that signal high‑risk tumors. This longitudinal analysis aligns with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines that recommend active surveillance based on trends rather than single values, offering clinicians a more nuanced risk stratification tool.

For 20/20 BioLabs, the algorithm represents a strategic augmentation of its OneTest for Cancer platform, which already combines protein biomarkers, clinical data, and AI analytics to detect multiple cancers from a single blood draw. Embedding PSA velocity expands the test’s utility in the lucrative prostate‑cancer market and differentiates the offering from competitors that rely solely on absolute biomarker levels. By licensing the technology as a software‑as‑a‑service, 20/20 can generate recurring revenue streams from laboratories worldwide, accelerating adoption without the need for extensive hardware investments.

The collaboration also underscores the growing importance of university‑industry partnerships in translating academic breakthroughs into commercial health solutions. USC’s technology transfer office facilitated the deal, highlighting how research institutions can drive economic growth while advancing public health. Looking ahead, the joint research agenda to develop velocity algorithms for CA 125 and CA 19.9 could extend the longitudinal‑analysis model to ovarian and pancreatic cancers, further cementing AI‑enhanced blood testing as a cornerstone of early‑detection strategies across oncology.