Startup Battlefield company SpotitEarly trained dogs and AI to sniff out common cancers

In the ongoing battle against cancer, early detection remains a pivotal strategy for saving lives. While multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests are still under research and awaiting FDA approval, some options are already available for those willing to pay out-of-pocket. Patients can request the Galleri blood test from Grail or consider a whole-body MRI from companies like Prenuvo or Ezra, often exceeding $2,000. Now, a unique approach to cancer screening is emerging from SpotitEarly, a biotech startup participating in the Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. This innovative company is developing an at-home cancer test that leverages the extraordinary olfactory abilities of dogs, combined with artificial intelligence, to analyze human breath. Shlomi Madar, CEO of SpotitEarly, shared insights with TechCrunch about the compelling evidence supporting the idea that dogs can be trained to detect diseases, particularly cancer, in humans. "There are anecdotal reports of pet dogs alerting their owners to health issues long before formal diagnoses were made," he noted. Drawing on his extensive experience in health and biotech, Madar partnered with three friends, including a former K9 unit commander, to create a reliable breath analysis method for cancer screening. The process is straightforward: users collect a breath sample at home and send it to SpotitEarly’s laboratory. The company employs 18 specially trained beagles that are adept at identifying cancer-specific scents. These dogs are conditioned to sit when they detect cancer particles, while SpotitEarly’s AI system monitors and validates their responses. "We have cameras in the lab, and a microphone records their breathing patterns and heart rates, allowing our machine learning algorithms to establish a baseline for the entire dog team," explained Madar. "This methodology enhances accuracy beyond what a handler could achieve alone." Recent research published in Nature’s Scientific Reports indicates that SpotitEarly’s dogs can identify early-stage cancer in breath samples with an impressive 94% accuracy rate. This double-blind clinical study, which included 1,400 participants, focused on detecting four prevalent cancers: breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung. Founded in Israel in 2020, SpotitEarly announced its expansion into the U.S. market in May, supported by $20.3 million in funding from investors including Hanaco VC and Jeff Swartz, the former CEO of Timberland. The company plans to utilize these funds to broaden its clinical studies, beginning with breast cancer screening before addressing the other three cancers. Madar anticipates that the at-home screening kits will be accessible to consumers through a network of physicians next year, with the initial cancer test priced around $250. Additional screenings for other cancers will come at a reduced cost. SpotitEarly aims to keep its multi-cancer panel pricing below competitors like Grail’s Galleri test, which typically costs around $950. In a nod to their integral role in the company, Madar emphasizes the importance of the dogs beyond their detection abilities. "All our employees must love dogs. They are not just biosensors; they also need ample space to play and are wonderful companions and colleagues," he said. For those interested in experiencing SpotitEarly's innovative approach and discovering more entrepreneurial pitches, the TechCrunch Disrupt event will take place from October 27 to 29 in San Francisco.