OraLiva, Inc. is preparing to launch its first noninvasive, AI-powered oral cancer test following recent NIH funding support. The test combines microfluidics, cytology, and advanced image analysis to detect mild-to-severe dysplasia earlier and more accurately than visual exams alone.
The platform is also being developed into a cartridge-based, point-of-care device that can be used directly in dental and ENT offices, with an FDA submission planned in the coming years
Why this matters
Oral cancer is one of the deadliest and most costly cancers, with survival rates largely unchanged in 50 years. By equipping general dentists and hygienists with a reimbursable, non-invasive tool, OraLiva’s platform has the potential to:
Improve patient outcomes: enable earlier detection and excision of severe dysplasia before it progresses.
Support providers: provide clear, actionable cutoffs for patient management beyond visual inspection.
Lower costs: reduce undertreatment, avoid unnecessary biopsies, and lessen the $112,000 average per-patient treatment burden.
Looking ahead
Backed by NIH/NIDCR funding, OraLiva is advancing both its lab-developed test and a future point-of-care system to expand access to early cancer detection. The company also plans to adapt its platform for other epithelial cancers, including bladder, cervical, anal, and esophageal
