Guardant Health Touts Growth in Cancer Diagnostics at Barclays Conference

Executives highlight opportunities in treatment selection, minimal residual disease testing, and colorectal cancer screening

Mar. 18, 2026 at 9:05am

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Guardant Health (NASDAQ:GH) executives used a Barclays conference to outline growth drivers across their three major business areas: treatment selection, minimal residual disease (MRD) testing, and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. They discussed the company's Guardant360 liquid biopsy test, including its role in monitoring for ESR1 mutations in breast cancer, its recent FDA approval for CRC, and its strong reimbursement position after 10 years on the market. Guardant also touted the growth of its Reveal MRD test and the launch of its Shield CRC screening test, which it sees as a major new diagnostic brand.

Why it matters

Guardant Health's liquid biopsy and cancer screening tests are playing an increasingly important role in oncology care, from guiding treatment decisions to detecting residual disease and screening for colorectal cancer. The company's ability to drive adoption and reimbursement of these tests will be key to its continued growth and impact on cancer management.

The details

Co-CEO Amirali Talasaz highlighted Guardant360's role in liquid comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP), including its use in monitoring for ESR1 mutations in breast cancer patients. He said the SERENA-6 trial, in which Guardant's partner AstraZeneca is using Guardant360 to guide treatment switches, could lead to 40,000 eligible breast cancer patients for this type of monitoring if the associated drug is approved. Talasaz also discussed Guardant360's recent FDA approval for colorectal cancer, which he said can increase physician confidence and utilization, as well as strengthen discussions with payers. CFO Mike Bell said the company's Reveal MRD test has been its fastest-growing oncology product by volume. On the screening side, Talasaz described the company's Shield CRC test as 'probably the biggest diagnostic brand ever' in its first full year, targeting the 54 million unscreened patients in primary care settings.

  • In January, Guardant360 received FDA approval for colorectal cancer.
  • An FDA decision on the SERENA-6 trial is expected in the first half of 2026.

The players

Guardant Health

A precision oncology company specializing in blood-based cancer diagnostics, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Redwood City, California.

Amirali Talasaz

Co-CEO of Guardant Health.

Mike Bell

CFO of Guardant Health.

AstraZeneca

A pharmaceutical company that is Guardant Health's partner in the SERENA-6 trial.

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What they’re saying

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What’s next

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The takeaway

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