Zydus Lifesciences has signed an exclusive agreement with Myriad Genetics to introduce globally validated genomic cancer tests in India. The collaboration will expand access to hereditary cancer risk assessment and precision diagnostics for ovarian and prostate cancers, enabling personalised, evidence-based treatment and improved clinical outcomes.
As cancer incidence continues to rise in India, the conversation around oncology is steadily shifting from one-size-fits-all treatment to precision-driven, evidence-based care. In a significant development for the country’s healthcare ecosystem, Zydus Lifesciences Limited has signed an exclusive agreement with US-based Myriad Genetics to introduce a range of advanced cancer diagnostic tests in India. The collaboration aims to expand access to molecular diagnostics that can assess hereditary cancer risk, understand tumour biology, and guide personalised treatment decisions, bringing global-standard genomic testing closer to Indian patients and clinicians.
Zydus Lifesciences, an innovation-led life sciences company with a strong international presence, will introduce three of Myriad Genetics’ most widely validated diagnostic platforms: the MyRisk® Hereditary Cancer Test, the MyChoice® HRD Plus test for ovarian cancer, and the Prolaris® prostate cancer prognostic test. These tests, already used extensively across North America, Europe, and major global cancer centres, are designed to offer actionable insights at critical stages of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
The agreement comes at a time when India is witnessing a steady increase in both cancer incidence and awareness. Lifestyle changes, longer life expectancy, and improved detection have all contributed to a growing oncology burden. At the same time, advances in genomics and molecular biology have transformed how cancers are understood, shifting focus from the organ of origin alone to the underlying genetic and molecular drivers of disease. Precision diagnostics now play a central role in identifying risk, predicting disease progression, and selecting therapies most likely to benefit individual patients.
According to Zydus, the introduction of Myriad’s tests will help bridge an important gap in India’s cancer care continuum. While treatment options have expanded rapidly in recent years, access to sophisticated diagnostic tools that inform those treatments has remained uneven. By exclusively marketing and creating awareness around these tests, Zydus aims to strengthen clinician education and diagnostic infrastructure, enabling oncologists to make more confident, data-driven decisions.
Dr Sharvil P. Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, described the collaboration as a major step towards expanding access to precision diagnostic tests for cancer treatment in India. He emphasised that the prostate and ovarian cancer tests offer doctors actionable insights that can help predict disease progression, personalise treatment plans, and streamline clinical workflows. Equally significant, he noted, is the availability of a test that can identify hereditary cancer risk, not just for patients but also for their families, enabling preventive strategies and early intervention.
Hereditary cancers account for a smaller proportion of total cancer cases, but their impact is often profound, affecting individuals at younger ages and across multiple generations. The MyRisk® Hereditary Cancer Test is a comprehensive germline multigene panel designed for individuals with a personal or family history suggestive of inherited cancer risk. It analyses 63 clinically significant genes, including BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, TP53, and mismatch repair genes associated with Lynch syndrome, among others. These genes are linked to cancers such as breast, ovarian, colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic, prostate, gastric, lung, and melanoma.
What sets the MyRisk® test apart is its ability to combine genetic findings with clinical data through Myriad’s RiskScore® technology. By integrating factors such as family history and breast density, RiskScore® provides personalised estimates of five-year and lifetime breast cancer risk. This allows clinicians to tailor screening schedules, recommend preventive measures, and discuss risk-reducing options with greater clarity. In the Indian context, where genetic testing for cancer risk is still underutilised, the test has the potential to change how families approach long-term cancer prevention and surveillance.
For patients already diagnosed with cancer, understanding tumour behaviour is crucial to selecting the right treatment strategy. The MyChoice® HRD Plus test addresses this need in ovarian cancer by assessing homologous recombination deficiency, a key biological feature that influences response to certain targeted therapies. The test evaluates genomic alterations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, along with a Genomic Instability Score derived from Myriad’s proprietary algorithm. By determining HRD status, clinicians can identify patients with advanced ovarian cancer who are more likely to benefit from specific treatments, enabling more precise and effective care.
Prostate cancer, meanwhile, is emerging as a growing concern in India, with incidence rising due to increased awareness, screening, and ageing demographics. Treatment decisions in prostate cancer often involve balancing the risks of overtreatment against the dangers of disease progression. The Prolaris® test is an RNA-based gene expression assay that measures tumour aggressiveness and provides a patient-specific risk score. It helps clinicians determine whether active surveillance is appropriate, whether immediate intervention is needed, and what the patient’s 10-year risk of metastasis and prostate cancer–specific mortality may be. Such insights can be particularly valuable in avoiding unnecessary treatment while ensuring timely care for higher-risk patients.
From Myriad Genetics’ perspective, the partnership with Zydus represents an important step in expanding precision oncology in India. Brian Donnelly, Chief Commercial Officer at Myriad Genetics, said the collaboration aims to empower clinicians with actionable information to assess risk, understand tumour biology, and guide personalised care with greater confidence. He highlighted that the tests are designed not only to support clinical decision-making but also to offer patients clarity and hope as they navigate complex and often life-altering health decisions.
Beyond individual tests, the collaboration signals a broader commitment to integrating genomic medicine into routine oncology practice in India. Zydus has emphasised that it will focus on clinician engagement, education, and awareness to ensure that these diagnostic tools are used effectively and appropriately. This is critical in a healthcare system as diverse as India’s, where access to advanced diagnostics can vary widely between urban and rural settings.
Dr Patel noted that the agreement reaffirms Zydus’ commitment to patient centricity and precision oncology. By strengthening diagnostic infrastructure and clinician education, the company aims to support earlier and more accurate risk assessment, enabling patients to make informed decisions at every stage of their cancer journey. The long-term goal, he said, is to make personalised, evidence-based cancer care accessible to every patient who needs it.
The introduction of Myriad’s tests also reflects a growing recognition that effective cancer care extends beyond treatment alone. Identifying individuals at high genetic risk, understanding tumour biology, and predicting disease behaviour are all essential components of a modern oncology ecosystem. As India continues to invest in healthcare innovation, collaborations such as this one highlight the role of global partnerships in accelerating access to cutting-edge science.
While challenges remain in terms of affordability, awareness, and integration into existing care pathways, the Zydus–Myriad agreement represents a meaningful step forward. By bringing globally validated genomic decision-support tools to India, the collaboration has the potential to improve clinical outcomes, reduce uncertainty in treatment planning, and empower both patients and clinicians with deeper insight into cancer risk and progression.
In an era where cancer care is increasingly defined by precision rather than probability, the launch of these diagnostic tests underscores a fundamental shift in how the disease is approached. For Indian patients and their families, access to such tools could mean earlier detection, more personalised treatment, and a clearer understanding of what lies ahead. For the healthcare system as a whole, it signals progress towards a future where cancer care is guided as much by molecular insight as by clinical experience.
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