Cancer remains a critical public health challenge in Hungary, with the country ranking among the top three in the European Union for cancer-related mortality.

Current statistics indicate that Hungary has 318 cancer deaths per 100,000 population, significantly higher than the EU average of 245, marking a difference that exceeds 30%.

Contributing factors include unhealthy lifestyles, stress, deficiencies in the healthcare system, and low participation in screening programs.

As life expectancy continues to rise, the incidence of cancer diagnoses is also expected to increase, with the elderly population being more susceptible to various cancers.

The advancement of cancer diagnostics is considered pivotal, as identifying more cases at early stages can significantly improve survival rates.

Előd Orbán, CEO of Enterprise Group Technologies, stated that the objective is for cancer to become a manageable condition, similar to hypertension or other chronic diseases.

The drive toward revolutionary oncology diagnostics began in 2017, motivated by the need to address one of the world's leading causes of death.

The roots of this endeavor trace back fifteen years to the establishment of the Enterprise Group, which emerged from the acquisition of a Siemens subsidiary in Hungary.

The company has evolved from a telecommunications entity into a technology software leader, now encompassing IT infrastructure, integrated corporate communications solutions, digital product design and manufacturing support, energy, IoT, and health software development.

Enterprise Group Technologies plays a crucial role in the operation of Hungary’s emergency medical services and manages critical infrastructures for entities such as the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, the MVM Group, MAVIR, the Hungarian Defence Forces, and various public and private healthcare institutions.

Its health technology arm, European Life Technologies (ELT), has emerged as a key player in cancer diagnostics.

ELT specializes in liquid biopsy, a method that analyzes genetic material shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream or other bodily fluids.

For breast cancer patients, this technique detects anomalies 6-9 months earlier compared to traditional imaging methods such as ultrasound, mammography, CT, or MRI.

Liquid biopsy offers a non-invasive approach, reducing complications associated with surgical sample collection while allowing real-time monitoring of disease progression.

Liquid biopsy employs advanced laboratory technologies to pinpoint DNA and other molecules released by tumors into circulation.

Pioneering work from leading researchers, including Dennis Lo, who was recognized with the Lasker-DeBakey Award for his contributions to the detection of circulating DNA, has informed practices within ELT.

Since 2015, Hungarian researchers have been actively involved in projects focused on early cancer detection and monitoring treatment responses.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in the United States currently endorses liquid biopsy for multiple tumor types.

ELT emphasizes that all testing must be initiated through the patient’s oncologist to maintain clinical integrity and scientific reliability.

Presently, ELT is enhancing its testing capabilities, having launched a breast cancer monitoring test and planning future applications for prostate cancer.

The company employs nearly 30 scientists, IT specialists, and physicians at its facility in Szeged, concentrating on three main research areas: early cancer detection, minimal residual disease identification, and treatment response monitoring.

Its AI-supported molecular genetic analysis systems aim to improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic recommendations.

Market viability relies on achieving sufficient testing volume to make services financially accessible.

ELT's current applications are primarily available in private healthcare facilities across Hungary.

Efforts are underway to integrate liquid biopsy diagnostics into publicly funded healthcare.

Orbán indicated that increased governmental openness to recognizing the potential of personalized therapies could facilitate the inclusion of liquid biopsy in the National Health Insurance Fund's benefits.

Globally, the oncology diagnostics market exceeds $100 billion, with the liquid biopsy segment projected to grow from $10-12 billion currently to an estimated $35 billion by 2033. Orbán asserts that their competitive position is within the top five worldwide, supported by a solid molecular genetics and bioinformatics framework.

The company has also established a partnership with Indonesia to diagnose 500,000 new cancer patients annually.

Orbán characterized Hungary's stringent regulations as advantageous, enhancing credibility in international markets, particularly when compared to more lenient regulations in regions such as China.

While challenges exist regarding financial backing and public funding classifications for liquid biopsy in Hungary, efforts are being made to attract investor interest and maintain national ownership of the company.

Planned public offerings are anticipated around 2030, though the location for stock market listing has yet to be confirmed.

The focus is on harnessing opportunities within the biotech industry, as advancements in quantum computing may further elevate this field in the coming years.

Technological innovations in AI-based voice analysis, blood-based cognitive diagnostics, and evolving gene diagnostic methods are expected to significantly transform healthcare delivery.