Manulife has formed an exclusive partnership with Guardant Health to offer Shield Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD), a blood-based multi-cancer detection test, for the first time in Asia beginning in April 2026, the companies jointly announced on Monday.
The collaboration will make Guardant Health’s Shield MCD test available to Manulife customers in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore.
The Shield MCD test screens for 10 of the most common cancers — including bladder, colorectal, breast, prostate, esophageal, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer — using a single blood draw, targeting diseases with high mortality rates in the region.
The test received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration in June 2025, covering eight cancer types for individuals aged 45 or older at average risk.
Cancer remains a leading cause of death across Asia, prompting insurers and healthcare providers to expand preventive screening solutions, according to a June 2025 report by Guardant Health.
“By being the first insurer in Asia to offer the Shield MCD test, we’re empowering our customers with a credible and valued service that encourages proactive health management,” said Steve Finch, president and CEO of Manulife Asia. “This exclusive partnership demonstrates our commitment to offering innovative and differentiated solutions to improve the health outcomes of our customers.”
Manulife said the partnership also includes efforts to expand access to underserved communities and aligns with its Manulife Longevity Institute platform focused on health and financial wellbeing.
“We are excited to partner with Manulife to introduce the Shield MCD test to Asia for the first time,” said Simranjit Singh, CEO of Guardant Health AMEA. “We look forward to the impact that this collaboration with Manulife will make in bringing this latest innovation in cancer screening to the Asian market.”
The initiative builds on an existing collaboration in Singapore, where eligible customers can access the Guardant360 liquid biopsy test for advanced solid tumors.
