OncoALERT provides a needle-free oral cancer test powered by nanotechnology

20 student-led inventions from around the world have been shortlisted as finalists in the 2025 James Dyson Award, bringing them one step closer to the global prize. For the first time ever, an Indian innovation, OncoALERT, has reached the finals of James Dyson Award globally. This marks a proud moment for India, showcasing the growing strength of young inventors and problem-solvers in the country. Competing against groundbreaking ideas from across the world, it represents India’s spirit of innovation and creativity on a global platform, underscoring how local ingenuity can make a global impact.

The shortlisted entry from India is developed by Jayanti Kumari from the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (an autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India), OncoALERT addresses one of India’s most pressing health challenges - the late detection of oral cancer.

OncoALERT provides a needle-free oral cancer test powered by nanotechnology. With 95 per cent accuracy, the device uses biodegradable paper instead of plastics, offering a dignified, low-cost solution for mass home screening. Requiring no labs, specialists, or electricity, OncoALERT empowers communities with early detection, helping save lives and rewrite the story of families otherwise devastated by late diagnosis.

Robyn Coutts, Head of Innovation and Delivery at Dyson and James Dyson Award 2025 Top 20 Judge said, “This year we had a wide-ranging and innovative submissions that addressed some of the biggest challenges facing our society today. The judges had a real challenge to choose the Top 20 shortlist, and had some great debates about which ideas were both truly innovative and realistic for the market. All the entrants should be proud of their inventions. I look forward to seeing who wins.”