The collaboration will combine New Day’s liquid biopsy technology with Daisy Genomics’ physics-based sequencing platform to advance early CRC screening.
Daisy Genomics Inc and New Day Diagnostics have announced a strategic research collaboration with the University of Tennessee and the East Tennessee Health Innovation Alliance to develop next-generation epigenetic sequencing and liquid biopsy tools for early colorectal cancer detection.
The partnership will integrate New Day’s clinically validated CRC liquid biopsy technology with Daisy Genomics’ physics-based sequencing platform. The companies aim to generate data demonstrating how direct detection of epigenetic signals, without chemical amplification or traditional sequencing bottlenecks, can enable earlier, more accurate, and more scalable cancer screening.
Research will be conducted across New Day’s CLIA-certified laboratory and the University of Tennessee. The collaboration may also leverage capabilities within the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, whose nanoscale engineering, microfabrication resources, and materials science expertise align with Daisy Genomics’ chip design and manufacturing roadmap.
“New Day Diagnostics is redefining what’s possible in cancer screening. The ability to directly detect tumor-specific changes like methylated Septin 9 in DNA provides an unprecedented opportunity to advance cancer diagnostics,” says Emily Milsovic, chief executive officer of Daisy Genomics, in a release. “Partnering with New Day and the University of Tennessee strengthens our ability to generate real-world data quickly and responsibly, while demonstrating how Daisy Genomics’ optical platform can meaningfully advance patient care.”
Addressing the Second Deadliest Cancer in the US
Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the US, yet early detection dramatically improves survival rates. The collaboration aims to make screening more accessible to patients through streamlined, affordable workflows capable of detecting critical epigenetic changes directly.
“With this collaboration, we are one step closer to making life-saving screening accessible to more patients than ever before,” says Eric Mayer, chief executive officer of New Day Diagnostics, in a release. “Partnering with Daisy Genomics gives New Day access to a game-changing sequencing platform – one that promises a streamlined, affordable workflow and the power to detect critical epigenetic changes directly.”
The multi-institution collaboration also establishes the foundation for future studies exploring advanced epigenetic biomarkers with potential to significantly expand and improve clinical performance across CRC and other high-burden indications.
The research is supported by the University of Tennessee’s innovation ecosystem, including the East Tennessee Health Innovation Alliance and the Institute for Advanced Materials & Manufacturing. By integrating Daisy Genomics’ optical genomics platform, New Day’s clinical diagnostic capabilities, and the University of Tennessee’s manufacturing, engineering, and translational research infrastructure, the partners aim to accelerate development and expand access to screening tools across the region.
“This collaboration is exactly the type of high-impact initiative we are committed to advancing at the University of Tennessee and across ETHIA,” says Brad Day, associate vice chancellor at the University of Tennessee and director of the East Tennessee Health Innovation Alliance, in a release. “By bringing together cutting-edge sequencing, validated diagnostics, and a translational ecosystem built for rapid iteration, we are positioning Tennessee as a national leader in next-generation cancer detection and precision health innovation.”
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