Freenome announced validation data for an updated version of its SimpleScreen CRC blood test in the PREEMPT CRC registrational study. The assay met its primary and secondary endpoints, with overall sensitivity reported at 80.4% and specificity at 90% for asymptomatic average-risk adults aged 45 to 85 undergoing colonoscopy. The company highlighted improved detection of advanced precancerous lesions versus a prior version, while sensitivity for other lesion categories showed mixed changes. Stakeholder reaction was described as mixed, reflecting the ongoing challenge for blood-based colorectal screening to match colonoscopy-level performance across early-stage disease. Freenome also flagged work on a third test version designed to increase target breadth, aimed at further raising sensitivity for advanced precancerous lesions.