EpiJin, a portfolio company of the Sygma.Novosibirsk nanotech center in Novosibirsk, in Siberia, has developed a test system for very early cancer diagnostics, the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reported. The innovation was presented to the participants of the Medica international medical exhibition in Germany on November 12-15, 2014.

The new method is said to be based on DNA molecule analysis. It is known that a tumor won’t develop as long as certain genes, called oncosuppressors, are active, because the product of the genes’ activity inhibits any malignant developments. Therefore, by finding these genes in ‘off’ mode oncogenic processes can be diagnosed.

The EpiJin test system can find a ‘deactivated’ oncosuppressor gene “with high accuracy,” the developers claim. The project is backed on a federal level; the new system is expected to hit the market within about three years.

The Siberian company says the new test system will cost an end customer a max. $45 apiece.