Zydus Lifesciences shares rise 3% to 52-week high on inking MoU with Apollo Hospitals to expand access to cancer test in India

At around 1:27 PM, the stock stood at ₹1,129.30 per equity share, marking a 2.68% increase. It touched a year’s low of ₹835.50 apiece on April 2, 2026.

The scrip has jumped 2.5% in the past week and 5% over the month. On a year-to-date basis, it has climbed 23%.

The MoU marks an expansion of the exclusive agreement Zydus had previously signed with Guardant Health, a NASDAQ-listed leading precision oncology company, to make the Shield MCD test available in India.

The Shield MCD test is a methylation-based blood test for the detection of multiple cancer types, including bladder, colorectal, breast, prostate, oesophageal, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian and pancreatic cancer in individuals aged 45 or older and who are at typical average risk for cancer.

“With just a blood draw, the test screens for 10 of the most common cancers, many of which have high mortality rates in India,” the pharmaceutical firm said.

The test has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recognising its potential to provide more effective screening for cancers than existing options, the filing read.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., said: “As India’s leading oncology company, we are reimagining the role of diagnostics in cancer care. We are pleased to partner with Apollo Hospitals and Guardant Health to introduce Shield MCD in India, expanding access to an innovative screening technology that complements existing screening pathways.”

She stated that through focused awareness initiatives, Zydus Life will continue to encourage timely screening and proactive healthcare with its range of companion diagnostics.

“By expanding access to precision diagnostics, we stand committed to unlocking new possibilities in patient care,” Dr. Patel added.

Apollo Hospitals’ collaboration with Zydus Lifesciences marks an important milestone in advancing accessible, patient-friendly cancer screening solutions for the people of India, said Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group.

"We are pleased to bring the Shield Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) test to India through Apollo Cancer Centres and our longstanding commercial partner Zydus Lifesciences. Earlier detection has the potential to transform cancer outcomes, and Shield MCD represents an important advancement in helping identify cancer-associated signals through a single blood draw. Together, we are expanding access to innovative screening technologies that can support earlier clinical evaluation and help shape the future of cancer care in India,” stated Simranjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Guardant Health AMEA.

Zydus Lifesciences has a total market capitalisation of ₹1.14 lakh crore as of July 3, 2026, according to data on the NSE.