VolitionRx Limited (NYSE AMERICAN: VNRX), flying in the pre-market after the announcement of the launch of its first product, the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Screening Test. A multi-national epigenetics company developing simple, easy to use, cost-effective blood tests to help diagnose a variety of cancers and other diseases in both humans and animals.

The exam, which is available for order from the GI Lab at Texas A&M University by veterinarians in the U.S. as of yesterday, is positioned for use in the annual health review of aging dogs or for cases where cancer is suspected. It may also be a supplementary test, such as Golden Retrievers, with younger dogs of breeds at high risk of contracting cancer in their lifetime. Given that there are about 77 million dogs in the U.S., future business demand is important. Volition estimates $45 per test to be its initial sales.

During this initial launch process, across a series of’ lunch and learns,’ product mailings, a social media initiative, and a webinar featuring Professor, Volition focuses on raising awareness of the test not only through the national specialist oncology population but also the general practice veterinarians in Texas. Dr. Sue Ettinger and Heather Wilson-Robles.

Cancer in dogs over the age of two years is the most common cause of death in the U.S. and up to 50 percent of all dogs over the age of 10 develop cancer in their lifetime. Dogs suspected of having cancer are currently required to undergo a range of diagnostic tests that may be costly, time consuming and/or painful for the animal.