South Korea-based startup Lunit, in partnership with leading precision oncology company Guardant Health in the US, has announced the integration of its artificial intelligence (AI)-based PD-L1 scoring algorithm into Guardant's testing workflow to enhance biomarker detection in the Guardant360 TissueNext PD-L1 test for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The newly integrated algorithm will enable Guardant to offer augmented biomarker assessment for NSCLC patients through AI-based quantification of tissue samples using a scoring system generated by Lunit SCOPE PD-L1.

The enhanced Guardant test is designed to support pathologists in diagnosing PD-L1 status with higher accuracy and efficiency. Through the AI software, the test showed improved detection of PD-L1 by more than 20 percent compared to manual pathologist interpretation in the most challenging cases in NSCLC.

Lunit SCOPE PD-L1 is a CE-marked AI solution for detecting and analysing PD-L1, a cancer biomarker. The solution may assist pathologists by minimising interpretation discrepancy and allowing better prediction of treatment outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Lunit SCOPE PD-L1's integration with the Guardant360 TissueNext PD-L1 test is the first application in Guardant Galaxy, Guardant Health's suite of technology applications developed internally and through outside partnerships to enhance the performance and utility of its portfolio of cancer tests.

The two companies have been in partnership since 2021, following a strategic investment from Guardant Health to Lunit.