Lucence Company Profile

Background

Lucence is a precision oncology company founded in 2016, with dual headquarters in Palo Alto, California, and Singapore. The company's mission is to advance cancer care through the development of non-invasive liquid biopsy tests that enable earlier detection and more effective treatment of cancer. Lucence's vision is to make cancer detection swift, simple, and sensitive, thereby improving patient outcomes globally.

Key Strategic Focus

Lucence specializes in liquid biopsy technologies, focusing on the development of blood-based tests that detect cancer-related genetic mutations and cancer-causing viruses. Their core objectives include:

Early Cancer Detection: Developing tests that identify cancers at their earliest stages to improve treatment success rates.

Personalized Treatment Selection: Providing genomic profiling to tailor treatments to individual patients.

Global Accessibility: Expanding the availability of their tests to diverse populations worldwide.

The company utilizes proprietary technologies such as AmpliMark™, which has demonstrated over 99% sensitivity in detecting clinically relevant biomarkers for various cancers at a 0.1% mutant allele frequency limit of detection.

Financials and Funding

Lucence has secured significant funding to support its growth and innovation:

Seed Round (November 2017): Raised $9.2 million.

Series A (November 2019): Amount undisclosed.

Later Stage VC (May 2023): Amount undisclosed.

Notable investors include IHH Healthcare, one of the world's largest private healthcare networks, and Heliconia Capital, a Temasek unit.

Pipeline Development

Lucence's key products include:

LiquidHALLMARK®: A liquid biopsy test that profiles 80 genes and 15 types of cancers from a single blood draw. It aids in matching late-stage cancer patients with targeted therapies and is less invasive than traditional tissue biopsies.

LucenceINSIGHT™: A multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test that screens for 10 common cancers in one blood draw. Launched internationally in 2023, with a U.S. launch planned for Q3 2023.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Lucence's innovation is underpinned by several proprietary technologies:

AmpliMark™: An ultrasensitive sequencing technology that enables the detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and RNA (ctRNA) with high accuracy.

Combined DNA and RNA Profiling: This approach allows for comprehensive tumor characterization, facilitating better treatment selection and monitoring.

Leadership Team

Dr. Min-Han Tan, Founder and CEO: An academic medical oncologist recognized for discovering circulating tumor-endothelial clusters in early cancer. He holds a medical degree and PhD from the National University of Singapore and has completed fellowships in Singapore and the U.S.

Dr. Jonathan Poh, Chief Technology Officer: Holds a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Physiology from the University of Liverpool and a BSc in Pharmacy from the National University of Singapore. He has over 10 years of research experience in oncology and leads Lucence's scientific team.

Mr. Chan Vee Kiet, Chief Financial Officer: A chartered accountant with over 10 years of experience, including roles at Econ Healthcare Group and KPMG. He is also a CFA charter holder.

Dr. Jack Challis, Senior Vice President (U.S. Operations): Former Director of Analytics and Outcomes Portfolio at Elekta and co-founder of CliniCast. He holds a doctoral degree from Yale University.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global precision oncology market is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in genomic technologies and increasing demand for personalized cancer treatments. Liquid biopsy, in particular, is emerging as a transformative tool in oncology, offering non-invasive methods for cancer detection and monitoring.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the liquid biopsy and precision oncology space include:

MiRXES: A Singapore-based company specializing in microRNA-based diagnostics for early cancer detection.

Foundation Medicine: A U.S.-based company offering comprehensive genomic profiling assays to inform cancer treatment decisions.

Guardant Health: A U.S.-based company providing blood tests for comprehensive genomic profiling in cancer patients.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Lucence has established several strategic partnerships to enhance its market position and innovation capacity:

Mayo Clinic Laboratories: In January 2025, Lucence announced a strategic collaboration with Mayo Clinic Laboratories to expand access to its LiquidHALLMARK® test in the U.S. market.

Agilus Diagnostics: In March 2025, Lucence partnered with Agilus Diagnostics to introduce LiquidHALLMARK® in India, aiming to improve cancer care in the region.

Enterprise Singapore: Lucence has received support from Enterprise Singapore in its internationalization efforts, including the establishment of its U.S. laboratory in Palo Alto.

Operational Insights

Lucence's dual headquarters in Singapore and Palo Alto position the company strategically to serve both Asian and North American markets. The company's CLIA-licensed and CAP-accredited laboratories in both locations ensure compliance with international quality standards. Lucence's focus on non-invasive, cost-effective, and rapid diagnostic solutions provides a competitive advantage in the precision oncology market.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Lucence aims to:

Enhance Test Sensitivity: Improve the sensitivity of its liquid biopsy tests to detect multiple cancers at the earliest stages, even among asymptomatic individuals.

Expand Global Reach: Continue to establish partnerships and collaborations to make its diagnostic solutions accessible to a broader patient population worldwide.

Innovate in Precision Oncology: Invest in research and development to introduce new diagnostic tools and technologies that address unmet needs in cancer detection and treatment.