Helio Genomics (Helio) is a commercial-stage, AI-driven biotechnology company specializing in advanced diagnostics technology to pioneer early cancer detection and minimal residual disease monitoring. Helio’s blood-based, multi-analyte platform uses machine learning and deep learning to detect cancer biomarkers with unprecedented accuracy, empowering clinicians and patients to act swiftly in the fight against liver cancer. The technology has been clinically validated through years of studies involving thousands of patients and is supported by an expanding commercial presence.
As a result of this work, Helio developed a new at-home liver cancer test designed to detect disease at its earliest stages, often before symptoms surface. I have known the Helio team for several years and am personally aware of the long hours, scientific rigor, and commitment invested in developing this technology. Being closely involved in and around the medical and healing arts, I am well aware that when it comes to cancer, early detection saves lives.
Liver cancer is rapidly becoming a public health crisis and is often described as a silent killer, with many individuals unaware they have the disease until it has progressed. Liver Cancer Awareness Month in October represents a global effort to educate the public about liver cancer risk factors such as viral hepatitis, alcohol use, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic liver disease, as well as prevention strategies including vaccination and healthy lifestyle choices. Most importantly, it underscores the critical role of early detection.
Liver disease affects approximately one in three adults in the United States. Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) alone impacts roughly 30 percent of the adult population and is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer among women, and the second leading cause among men. Despite these numbers, liver disease remains significantly under-diagnosed, and patients often face months-long delays before seeing a specialist. Helio identified this gap early and focused on developing accessible detection solutions, while also seeking strategic partnerships to reach more people and save more lives.
Earlier this year, Helio Genomics announced a partnership with the American Liver Foundation (ALF), aimed at empowering millions of Americans to better understand their risk for liver cancer. Through this partnership, ALF encourages individuals to take a brief online liver cancer risk assessment to help identify potential concerns. For those identified as at risk, Helio’s LiverTrace test provides a fast, convenient, and private at-home option to screen for liver cancer.
Helio forms a partnership with The American Liver Foundation
American Liver Foundation (ALF) is a national the community of patients, caregivers, and medical professionals dedicated to improving liver health. Serving as a trusted resource for more than 100 million Americans affected by liver disease, ALF advocates for patients and families, funds medical research, and educates the public on liver wellness and disease prevention. Its programs and events help create enduring support networks for individuals and families navigating liver disease.
Lorraine Stiehl, CEO of the American Liver Foundation, stated, “Our partnership with Helio Genomics is built on a shared commitment to enhance awareness of liver cancer, improve treatment outcomes, and offer patients the peace of mind that comes with understanding their liver cancer status as early as possible.” Ms. Stiehl brings a personal understanding of the disease, having lost her father-in-law after his battle with liver cancer. She added that liver cancer rates have tripled since 1980, while death rates have doubled during the same period.
Dr. Bharat Tewarie, MD, MBA, CEO of Helio Genomics, stated, “At Helio Genomics, we are passionately committed to transforming early cancer detection through innovative AI and accessible at-home testing. Our partnership with the American Liver Foundation allows individuals to understand their liver cancer risk from the comfort of their home. Early detection is not only about science—it is about survival.”
Helio’s LiverTrace Collection Kit includes a visit from a certified mobile phlebotomist who collects a simple blood sample at the individual’s home. Samples are analyzed at a CLIA-certified laboratory, with confidential results delivered within 10 to 14 days through a secure, HIPAA-compliant online portal, enabling individuals to act quickly with their healthcare providers if needed.
Strategic Partnership With LiverRight
Irvine, California, Helio Genomics announced a newly formed strategic partnership with LiverRight®, the National Virtual Clinic for Liver Disease in Adults. This collaboration integrates Helio’s LiverTrace blood-based liver cancer test with LiverRight’s nationwide network of board-certified hepatologists and advanced practice providers, offering rapid access to specialist care across all 50 states.
Dr. Tewarie explained that this partnership represents a new standard in hepatocellular carcinoma care, emphasizing that when it comes to liver cancer, every week matters. Delays in diagnosis can mean the difference between a curable condition and a life-threatening battle. By combining LiverTrace’s breakthrough detection technology with LiverRight’s nationwide specialist network, patients can move from early detection to expert care in days rather than months.
LiverTrace uses AI and machine learning to detect cancer biomarkers through a simple blood draw, often identifying potential liver cancer before tumors are visible through ultrasound imaging. Through this partnership, patients who receive their LiverTrace results can immediately connect with LiverRight specialists for expert interpretation and, when appropriate, advancement into formal diagnosis and treatment pathways.
LiverRight’s mission is centered on compressing time to diagnosis and time to treatment initiation for all forms of liver disease. Its leadership has noted that historically, liver cancer identification begins with imaging such as MRI, and that noninvasive, convenient detection tools like LiverTrace now provide a critical on-ramp to timely imaging and care.
Dr. Alexander Lalos, Chief Medical Officer of LiverRight, emphasized that early-stage liver cancer diagnosis can result in five-year survival rates exceeding 70 percent, while advanced-stage disease often reduces survival to one or two years, even with treatment. Early detection can dramatically change outcomes.
Together, these partnerships reflect a shared commitment to transforming liver cancer outcomes by removing barriers to early detection, accelerating access to specialist care, and empowering patients with timely, potentially life-saving medical information.
