Cizzle Bio Partners with Top Institutes for Lung Cancer Detection Research Grant Submission

Cizzle Bio's NIH Grant Proposal for Lung Cancer Detection



Cizzle Bio, Inc., a pioneering biotechnology company, is at the forefront of revolutionizing cancer diagnostics through innovative biomarker blood tests. Their primary focus is on the early detection of lung and gastric cancers. On July 8, 2025, the company announced that it has officially submitted a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This proposal is made in partnership with two prominent research institutions, aiming to validate their groundbreaking CIZ1B biomarker for early-stage lung cancer detection.

Detecting lung cancer at an early stage remains an ongoing challenge in the field of oncology. Lung cancer is globally recognized as the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities. Tragically, this is largely due to late-stage diagnoses that significantly impede successful treatment outcomes. Cizzle Bio's proposal to the NIH marks a critical step toward addressing this pressing need in cancer care.

Bill Behnke, the CEO of Cizzle Bio, emphasized the company's commitment to scientific integrity and data-driven innovation, stating that this grant application reflects their dedication to enhancing early cancer detection. If the NIH approves their proposal, the study is set to utilize unique pre-diagnostic and longitudinal blood plasma samples from the landmark Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. This biorepository, managed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), comprises thousands of blood samples collected years before any cancer diagnosis, representing a rare chance to analyze CIZ1B's effectiveness in detecting lung cancer prior to the manifestation of symptoms.

The proposed research will involve a significant cohort of 1,730 lung cancer cases, enabling an extensive evaluation of CIZ1B’s performance against various demographic variables, including age, gender, ethnicity, and smoking history. Additionally, the study aims to examine whether early changes in the biomarker are linked to more aggressive cancer forms and determine the detection accuracy across different lung cancer types. One of the main goals of the research is to ascertain how far in advance the biomarker can provide a signal for cancer onset before clinical diagnosis is established.

CIZ1B has showcased remarkable sensitivity and specificity in previous studies focusing on Stage 1 lung cancer, conducted by Cizzle Biotechnology at the esteemed University of York in the UK. Now, by validating CIZ1B in pre-symptomatic patients through longitudinal biosamples, the company seeks to move towards a practical and scalable solution for early detection — one that could potentially transform patient outcomes, especially for high-risk individuals.

To bolster this initiative, Cizzle Bio is collaborating with the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). IHMC is set to spearhead the development of advanced deep learning models that relate biomarker expression to cancer onset, utilizing their sophisticated computational biology infrastructure and access to the University of Florida's HiPerGator supercomputer.

“This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to advance human health through cutting-edge research,” stated Morley Stone, Ph.D., CEO of IHMC. Furthermore, SwRI will contribute extensive expertise in biomarker assay validation, drawing on decades of experience in biopharmaceutical development and diagnostics.

Cizzle Bio hopes that the comprehensive evidence generated from this NIH proposal will pave the way for an affordable, clinically validated blood test that can be integrated into routine lung cancer screening procedures. Currently, the gold standard for lung cancer screening is low-dose CT (LDCT), which is known for its high false-positive rates. In contrast, the CIZ1B test offers a minimally invasive, high-throughput ELISA assay, making it much more suited for everyday clinical environments.

Both the clinical implications and potential economic advantages make the CIZ1B test a promising addition to the arsenal against lung cancer. By facilitating earlier diagnosis and intervention, the test is expected to contribute to better patient outcomes, while also potentially reducing the significant healthcare costs associated with late-stage lung cancer treatments, an important consideration for Medicare and other insurance providers.

As Cizzle Bio awaits a response from the NIH later this year, they are steadily expanding their network of clinical, research, and health system partners. This strategic move is aimed at accelerating their path towards market entry and fostering widespread use of their innovative blood diagnostics, ensuring that these life-saving tests are accessible to those in critical need.

About Cizzle Bio


Cizzle Bio, based in Texas, is dedicated to transforming cancer diagnostics by developing biomarker-based blood tests, focusing on early detection of lung and gastric cancers. Their strategic vision centers on empowering patients and clinicians alike to improve health outcomes through innovative and compassionate solutions. The company holds exclusive licensing rights for the CIZ1B biomarker test within the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, alongside global rights for the DEX-G2 biomarker test for gastric cancer. Cizzle Bio is actively commercializing both tests within the U.S. clinical landscape.

For more information, visit Cizzle Bio's official website.

About IHMC


The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) is an esteemed not-for-profit research institute that focuses on expanding human capabilities through innovative research. With multiple collaborations and over 100 research professionals, IHMC remains committed to cutting-edge advancements in technology and science. For further details, check out IHMC's official site.

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