Phoenix, AZ (October 15, 2025) – In the United States, an estimated six million dogs are diagnosed with cancer every year, making it the leading cause of death in adult dogs. This staggering reality is exactly where Calviri intends to step in—and change the story.
Founded in 2017 by Stephen Albert Johnston and Kathryn Sykes, Calviri is focusing on launching its canine multi-cancer test, which accurately detects stage 1, as well as later stages. They are committed to delivering diagnostics and vaccines for pets and people worldwide. “We’re trying to end cancer—really end cancer—and make sure what we build works for everyone, and not just wealthy people,” Johnston said.
With tumors growing up to five times faster in dogs, early detection becomes even more urgent. Currently, 94% of canine cancers are discovered at late stages, usually only after an owner notices something is wrong. To solve this, Calviri engineered a low-cost semiconductor-inspired diagnostic chip that uses just a drop of blood to detect cancer at stage one or earlier. “When a dog goes in for a wellness check, only about 4% of cancers are caught. We built our diagnostic to change that,” Johnston said.
Behind the diagnostic lies an even bigger breakthrough: a universal cancer vaccine. Instead of targeting personalized DNA mutations—an expensive and complex approach—Calviri identified shared cancer markers at the RNA level. This allows for an off-the-shelf vaccine, similar in accessibility to common infectious disease vaccines. “Cancer medicine doesn’t need to be personal and expensive—it can be engineered like a flu vaccine: standardized, scalable, and preventative,” Johnston said.
Calviri continues to push forward with their work, suggesting a future where cancer could be intercepted before it begins—first for dogs, and then, for humans.
About the Phoenix Bioscience Core
The Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) is a 30-acre life sciences innovation district located in downtown Phoenix. It hosts Arizona’s three public research universities—Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona—as well as leading genomics pioneers like the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of the City of Hope, and the International Genomics Consortium. The PBC also collaborates with major healthcare systems, including Banner Health, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, Phoenix VA, and Valleywise Health, alongside a growing number of emerging life science companies. This unique concentration of research scientists and healthcare professionals fosters unprecedented collaborations, advancing precision medicine from discovery to delivery. To learn more, please visit phoenixbiosciencecore.com.
By: Madisson Simental | October 15, 2025