This Bengaluru-based startup is educating dogs and artificial intelligence to detect cancer at an early stage.

      Dognosis pairs trained sniffer dogs with artificial intelligence to detect cancer from a breath sample. This innovative concept addresses a significant issue, albeit with important limitations: it's currently in prescreening trials and not yet a definitive diagnostic tool.

      A two-year-old startup from Bengaluru, Dognosis believes it can leverage the superior scent capability of dogs as a screening method. The company combines trained sniffer dogs with sensors and artificial intelligence to detect early signs of cancer from a single breath sample, adding to the growing utilization of AI in cancer detection.

      The procedure is remarkably straightforward for patients. They exhale into a mask, which is then sent to Dognosis’s facility—a farm situated outside Bengaluru—where beagles, labradors, and Dutch shepherds analyze the sample. While the dogs sniff, sensors and AI monitor their movements, breathing, brain activity, and body language, converting a wag or a pause into structured data. The theory is that tumors emit a chemical signature in breath that dogs can perceive far earlier than traditional diagnostic methods.

      Unlike imaging processes used for detecting breast cancer via X-rays, this approach does not involve blood draws or biopsies. The AI component seeks to standardize the dogs' reactions into a systematic format.

      Founded by Akash Kulgod, Dognosis claims its methodology targets over 20 different cancer types across seven categories, including breast, oral, lung, and cervical cancers. In Phase 2 trials published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the company reported about 90% sensitivity for early-stage cancers.

      According to Dognosis, dogs trained on ten cancer types were able to identify an eleventh type they had not encountered before. These accuracy and detection statistics are currently reported by the company and its researchers rather than being independently verified.

      The relevance of this initiative is highlighted by the severe cancer statistics in India. The country recorded approximately 1.5 million new cancer cases and over 900,000 deaths in 2024, one of the highest burdens globally, yet the screening rates remain very low. Only around 1.9% of women undergo screening for cervical cancer, and less than 1% are screened for breast or oral cancers. Much of this gap relates to cost, accessibility, and the discomfort associated with invasive testing.

      A low-cost, non-invasive solution focused on preventive healthcare could reach populations that the formal healthcare system fails to touch, which is exactly the market Dognosis aims to serve.

      In 2024, Dognosis secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding and has since completed another undisclosed funding round, with investors including Accel India and Caffeinated Capital; however, they have not disclosed specific amounts for the latest round.

      The company's goals are ambitious. Kulgod plans to introduce an at-home, multi-cancer prescreening test in India next year, expected to be priced at several thousand rupees. A Phase 3 trial started in April at ten hospitals, aiming to enroll about 10,000 participants, with a target of conducting one million tests annually within a week, operated by around 30 dogs. There are plans for a facility in the U.S. by late 2027 or early 2028.

      However, there is a regulatory nuance to consider. Kulgod points out that Dognosis does not require Indian regulatory approval since a prescreening tool is not classified as a diagnostic device. This eases the path to market but also means the technology could be available to patients without meeting the standards required for formal diagnostics.

      A positive result would prompt individuals to consult a doctor rather than provide a conclusive diagnosis, and Dognosis will need to communicate this distinction effectively.

      The caution is significant. This tool is intended for prescreening to indicate who should pursue further testing, not as a substitute for a formal diagnosis, and current trials are still in the early stages.

      Ironically, Dognosis eventually aims to replace the dogs with sensors, translating the biological capability of the canine nose into hardware. Regardless of the outcome, the core idea is serious: employing the dog's nose as a biosensor enhanced by AI to directly address a screening gap that traditional medicine has struggled to close.