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LUCD • CIK 0001799011
Unless the context otherwise requires, “ we ” , “ us ” , and “ our ” , the “ Company ” , “ Lucid ” and “ Lucid Diagnostics ” refer to Lucid Diagnostics Inc. and its subsidiaries LucidDx Labs Inc. ( “ LucidDx Labs ” ) and CapNostics, LLC ( “ CapNostics ” ). Background and Overview Lucid Diagnostics is a commercial-stage cancer prevention medical diagnostics technology company. Lucid is focused on the millions of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (“GERD”), also known as chronic heartburn, who are at risk of developing esophageal precancer and cancer, specifically highly lethal esophageal adenocarcinoma (“EAC”). We believe that our flagship product, the EsoGuard Esophageal DNA Test, performed on samples collected with the EsoCheck Esophageal Cell Collection Device, constitutes the first and only commercially available diagnostic test capable of serving as a widespread testing tool with the goal of preventing EAC deaths, through early detection of esophageal precancer in at-risk GERD patients. EsoGuard is a bisulfite-converted targeted next-generation sequencing ("NGS") DNA assay performed on surface esophageal cells collected with the FDA 510(k)-cleared EsoCheck device. It quantifies methylation at 31 sites on two genes, Vimentin ("VIM") and Cyclin A1 ("CCNA1"). Analytical validation tests of EsoGuard demonstrated approximately 97% analytical sensitivity, 95% analytical specificity, 98% analytical accuracy, and 100% inter-assay and intra-assay precision. Performance characteristics of the EsoGuard test have been evaluated in two case-control studies and two prospective, single-arm cohort studies. Both cohort studies were designed as “screening” studies, enrolling patients from the intended-use population. In these screening settings, EsoGuard demonstrated a positive predictive value ("PPV") of 30–33% and a negative predictive value ("NPV") of 99% for the detection of Barrett’s esophagus (“BE”) and EAC. EsoCheck is an FDA 510(k) cleared and CE Mark certified noninvasive swallowable balloon capsule catheter device designed for in-office targeted sampling of surface esophageal cells in a less than two minute long office procedure. It consists of a vitamin sized semi-rigid plastic capsule tethered to a thin silicone catheter from which a soft inflatable silicone balloon with textured ridges emerges to gently swab surface esophageal cells. When suction is applied, the balloon and sampled cells are pulled into the capsule, protecting them from contamination and dilution by cells outside of the targeted region during device withdrawal. We believe this proprietary Collect+Protect™ technology makes EsoCheck the only noninvasive esophageal cell collection device capable of such anatomically targeted and protected sampling. EsoGuard and EsoCheck are based on patented technology licensed by Lucid from Case Western Reserve University (“CWRU”). EsoGuard and EsoCheck have been developed to provide accurate, non-invasive, patient-friendly testing for the early detection of EAC and BE, including dysplastic BE and related pre-cursors to EAC in patients with chronic GERD. Market Opportunity In 2025, approximately 22,000 U.S. GERD patients were diagnosed with EAC and approximately 16,250 will have died from the disease. Over 80% of EAC patients will die within five years of diagnosis, making it the second most lethal cancer in the U.S. The U.S. incidence of EAC has increased 500% over the past four decades, while the incidences of other common cancers have declined or remained flat. In nearly all cases, EAC silently progresses until it manifests itself with new symptoms of advanced disease. EAC is nearly always invasive at diagnosis, and, unlike other common cancers, mortality rates are high even in its earlier stages. Based on current guidelines published by the American Gastroenterology Association (“AGA”), we believe the cohort recommended for screening consists of an estimated 30 million U.S. individuals with at least 3 established risk factors for BE. Accordingly, we believe EsoGuard’s total addressable U.S. market opportunity approximates $60 billion based on an effective Medicare payment of $1,938 and the estimated 30 million U.S. patients recommended for screening by clinical practice guidelines. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, less than 5% of at-risk patients who are recommended for screening undergo traditional invasive upper gastrointestinal endoscopy ("EGD").…