SINGAPORE, 13 March 2026 — Precision oncology firm, Lucence, with Diagnostics Development Hub (DxD Hub), hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore and the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS),  officially launched UNITED 2.0, a S$6 million research collaboration to develop a next-generation, clinical grade cancer profiling test with the goal of advancing the future of precision diagnostics.    

The collaboration builds on the original UNITED 1.0 tissue test, also known as UNITED™ 600, which has helped guide therapeutic selection for cancer patients across the region since 2021. The assay analyses tumour and tissue samples for 572 genes and 71 RNA fusions using both DNA and RNA signals. Building on this foundation, UNITED 2.0 will adopt a dual Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing (WTS) approach, moving beyond “gene snapshots” (tests that look only at selected genes) to provide a more complete picture of the cancer. This enables more detailed tumour profiling, including the identification of complex mutations and fusions, helping clinicians identify genetic alterations that can be targeted with precision treatments. The team will also use AI to support more efficient analysis and reporting of the large amount of genomic data generated.

The clinical-grade test will analyse a broad range of cancers, including breast, lung, colon, bladder, CNS tumours, and lymphoma. In addition to the panel’s enhancement, the collaboration’s roadmap includes plans to develop tools to monitor a patient’s status after treatment. This includes "Minimal Residual Disease" (MRD) testing, which aims to detect early signs of cancer recurrence, enabling quicker clinical intervention.    

“UNITED 2.0 moves us from a 'snapshot' to a high-definition map of a patient’s cancer,” said Dr. Tan Min-Han, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.P., Ph.D., Founding CEO and Medical Director of Lucence. “By integrating AI with comprehensive DNA and RNA sequencing, we are turning massive amounts of complex data into clear, actionable answers that will help clinicians choose better treatments faster.”

“Clinical diagnostics only creates value when it performs reliably in real-world settings and fits into routine care,” said Dr Weng Ruifen, Chief Executive Officer of DxD Hub. “With UNITED 2.0, we are strengthening the end-to-end test design, from sample handling to analytical validation and clinical reporting, so that more comprehensive tumour profiling can move from advanced sequencing into dependable clinical use. By working with Lucence and NCCS, we aim to deliver a test that clinicians can trust and act on with confidence.”

"Innovation is key to delivering the best possible care to patients with cancer," said Assistant Professor Jason Chan, Director, Cancer Discovery Hub, NCCS. "While the earlier assay already advanced precision cancer diagnostics, this latest collaboration represents an opportunity to incorporate cutting-edge tumour sequencing technologies into the original platform, enabling even more comprehensive and in-depth tumour analysis. We hope that this will help clinicians successfully treat patients with rare cancers, or those who have exhausted standard treatment options, in the future.”

Parallel to the technical research, a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between Lucence, the Brain Tumour Society Singapore (BTSS), and DxD Hub. This partnership establishes a framework for patient perspectives to inform the research and development process, helping to ensure that future diagnostic tools better reflect the needs and experiences of patients.

“A precise diagnosis is the foundation of the patient journey, but the process is often ‘hidden’ from the patient,” said Melissa Lim, President of BTSS. This MOU represents a formal commitment to keep the patient’s perspective at the heart of cancer research.”

Over the next three years, the UNITED 2.0 collaboration will work to bring the research closer to clinical application. Complementing this effort, the new partnership between Lucence, DxD Hub and BTSS reflects a shared commitment to keeping patient perspectives central to the future of cancer diagnostics.

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For media queries and clarifications, please contact:

Melissa Chew

Communications

Lucence

Email: melissa.chew@lucence.com   

Dione Chew

Corporate Communications

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

Email: Dione_Chew@hq.a-star.edu.sg     

Dharshini Subbiah

Corporate Communications

National Cancer Centre Singapore

Email: dharshini.subbiah@nccs.com.sg  

This press release was first published on Gov.Sg Press Centre - https://www.sgpc.gov.sg/