ClearNote Health to Showcase Leading Early Detection Results for Avantect® Pancreatic Cancer Test at Digestive Disease Week 2026
ClearNote Health, a biotechnology company focused on advancing early cancer detection, has announced an extensive lineup of presentations for the upcoming Digestive Disease Week 2026 (DDW), scheduled to take place from May 2–5 in Chicago. As one of the largest and most influential global gatherings for gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery, DDW provides a major मंच for unveiling innovations aimed at improving outcomes in digestive diseases, including pancreatic cancer.
At this year’s conference, ClearNote Health will spotlight its flagship diagnostic solution, the Avantect® Pancreatic Cancer Test, a next-generation liquid biopsy designed to improve early detection of one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Attendees visiting booth 2248 will have the opportunity to engage directly with the company’s scientific leadership, including newly appointed Chief Medical Officer Jeffrey Venstrom and Chief Science Officer Samuel Levy. In addition, the company will participate in Pancreas Club 2026, further extending its presence within the specialized pancreatic disease research community.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies to detect at an early stage, often presenting with minimal or nonspecific symptoms until the disease has advanced. As a result, survival rates remain low compared to many other cancers. ClearNote Health is aiming to address this critical unmet need through innovative diagnostic technologies that enable earlier identification of disease in high-risk populations.
The Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test represents a multi-analyte, multiomic liquid biopsy approach that integrates multiple layers of biological information to detect cancer-associated signals in the blood. According to the company, the test has demonstrated industry-leading performance metrics, achieving a sensitivity of 82.6% and specificity of 97.5% in identifying pancreatic cancer among individuals at elevated risk. These figures underscore its potential utility as a complementary tool to existing diagnostic and surveillance strategies.
Dr. Samuel Levy emphasized the scientific foundation of the test, noting that it combines 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC)-based epigenomic profiling with additional genomic and molecular features. This multi-dimensional approach is further enhanced by advanced machine learning algorithms, which help interpret complex biological data and identify meaningful patterns associated with early-stage pancreatic cancer. By leveraging these technologies, the test is designed to uncover subtle biological signals that may not be detectable through conventional diagnostic methods.
Rather than replacing existing clinical tools, the Avantect test is intended to augment and enhance current approaches. It provides physicians with additional insights that can inform clinical decision-making, particularly in cases where early detection could significantly impact patient outcomes. The integration of such advanced diagnostics into routine clinical practice could represent a meaningful step forward in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Jeffrey Venstrom highlighted the important role of gastroenterologists in identifying patients who may benefit from enhanced surveillance. Individuals at elevated risk include those with a family history of pancreatic cancer, known genetic predispositions, a history of smoking, or those who develop new-onset type 2 diabetes after the age of 50. Emerging evidence suggests that new-onset diabetes can serve as an early warning sign for pancreatic cancer in certain cases, making this population a key focus for screening efforts.
Venstrom noted that tools like the Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test can help guide conversations between physicians and patients about surveillance strategies. By providing additional data points, the test can support more informed decision-making and potentially enable earlier intervention, when treatment options are more effective.
ClearNote Health’s participation at DDW 2026 will include both plenary and poster presentations showcasing clinical data supporting the performance of its diagnostic platform. A key highlight will be a plenary presentation delivered by Anna Bergamaschi, PhD, titled “Evaluation of a Blood-Based Molecular Biomarker Test for the Surveillance of Individuals at High Risk for Pancreatic Cancer.” This presentation, part of the ASGE Presidential Plenary session, will take place on May 3, 2026, and is expected to draw significant attention from the medical and scientific community.
In addition, a poster presentation on the same topic will be presented by Randall E. Brand, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Scheduled for May 4, 2026, this session will provide further insights into the clinical evaluation of the Avantect test and its potential role in surveillance programs for high-risk individuals.
The design of the Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test reflects a growing trend toward minimally invasive diagnostics. As a simple blood test, it offers a more accessible and patient-friendly alternative to traditional imaging or invasive procedures. This ease of use could facilitate broader adoption in clinical settings, particularly for ongoing surveillance of at-risk populations.
Beyond its clinical validation efforts, ClearNote Health is actively collaborating with major international research initiatives to further evaluate and refine its technology. The test is currently being utilized in the Surveillance of pAncreatic health aFter diabEtes Diagnosis (SAFE-D) study, led by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). This large-scale study is one of the most comprehensive efforts globally to assess pancreatic cancer detection in individuals with new-onset diabetes.
Additionally, the Avantect test has been incorporated into the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium, an international, multi-center initiative dedicated to advancing early diagnosis and risk-stratified screening for individuals with familial or genetic predispositions to pancreatic cancer. Participation in such collaborative programs highlights the growing recognition of ClearNote Health’s approach within the global research community.
As the field of oncology continues to evolve, early detection is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in improving survival rates and patient outcomes. Technologies that can identify cancer at its earliest stages have the potential to transform the standard of care, shifting the focus from late-stage treatment to proactive intervention.
ClearNote Health’s presence at DDW 2026 reflects its commitment to advancing this vision. By combining cutting-edge science with clinical collaboration, the company aims to bring innovative diagnostic solutions closer to routine clinical use. Its work in pancreatic cancer detection is particularly significant given the urgent need for improved screening tools in this area.
Ultimately, the company’s efforts underscore a broader تحول in healthcare, where precision diagnostics and data-driven insights are playing an increasingly central role. As ClearNote Health continues to generate clinical evidence and expand its partnerships, its Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test may become an important component of future strategies aimed at detecting pancreatic cancer earlier and improving patient outcomes.
Through its presentations, partnerships, and ongoing research initiatives, ClearNote Health is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in cancer diagnostics, contributing to a future where earlier detection can make a life-saving difference.
About ClearNote Health
ClearNote Health is a privately held company dedicated to improving early detection and monitoring for some of the deadliest forms of cancer. Developed by scientists in the Stephen Quake laboratory at Stanford University, the company’s patented Virtuoso™ epigenomics platform builds on the latest advances in artificial intelligence and bioinformatics to measure active biological differences between cancer and healthy cells in a blood sample.
The highly sensitive, noninvasive Avantect® pancreatic and ovarian tests may identify cancers in high-risk patient populations earlier than conventional approaches, when patients may be more likely to benefit from treatment. The company’s multi-cancer detection test was recently selected as one of two blood-based technologies for the National Cancer Institute’s Vanguard Study. ClearNote Health’s headquarters and CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited, and New York State Department of Health-approved laboratory are located in San Diego.
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