Singapore: Australia-based startup company Sienna Cancer Diagnostics, has inked a pact with an American pathology company, Bostwick Laboratories, to commercialize world's first bladder cancer diagnostic test that could save millions of lives.

The diagnostic test is Sienna's flagship product anti-hTERT SCD-A7 antibody that can be used in diagnostic tests to detect telomerase, an enzyme associated with around 90 percent of human cancers. Ms Kerry Hegarty, CEO, said, "The milestone took 12 years in making and has come despite many train wrecks along the way. This could improve diagnosis of bladder cancer thus increasing healthcare outcomes," added Ms Hegarty.

The test is non-invasive, less expensive and would help improve the diagnosis of bladder cancer by eliminating waiting time for testing, explained Ms Hegarty. The company will begin selling its reagent to urologic pathology specialists Bostwick Laboratories for use in urine testing for bladder cancer.